South Africa takes action against foot and mouth disease with Botswana's vaccine support

IOL News

2 days ago

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressing the post-Cabinet media held at Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town.
Image: GCIS
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has confirmed that South Africa is actively addressing the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affecting four provinces.
On Thursday, Ntshavheni indicated that the Cabinet also welcomed the arrival of much-needed vaccines, sourced from Botswana, which she said would help combat the FMD outbreak, which has spread to four provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the North West.
'The vaccines are being distributed and administered free of charge to the affected areas, especially in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and those farms in other provinces where the disease has been identified. A second batch of vaccines is on order with the Botswana Vaccine Institute,' she said.
Ntshavheni, who was speaking during a media briefing on the outcomes of a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, also stated that the Cabinet is 'deeply concerned about the escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with airstrikes by the United States of America.
'The ongoing attacks by both countries have led to loss of life, casualties, and destruction to property. Cabinet calls for an urgent de-escalation of hostilities, restraint, and full compliance with international law by all parties to prevent further human suffering.
'Cabinet further calls on the USA, Israel, and Iran to create room for constructive dialogue and give the United Nations the opportunity to lead the peaceful resolution of the dispute, including the inspection and verification of Iran's status on uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity.
'As a continent, we in Africa are still suffering the consequences of the balkanisation of Libya 14 years later, with the escalation of terrorism across the continent,' she said.
Following the recent travel by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Canada for the G7 Summit, the minister said Ramaphosa had used the recent trip to mobilise support for the country ahead of the G20 Summit later this year, where he participated in the G7 Summit Outreach Session.
'President Ramaphosa used the opportunity of the G7 to urge for greater cooperation between the G7 and the G20, and mobilise support for reforms in the international institutions of global governance, such as the UN Security Council and the global financial system.
'The president's participation in the G7 clearly points out that South Africa does not hold an anti-West policy position, but we are ready to work with everyone to pursue South Africa's national interests and to advance the African agenda,' said Ntshavheni.
She also welcomed the recent return of SA troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying the Cabinet has been updated on the process that has led to the return of the more than 1,700 troops who have been returning in small groups.
'About 1,718 SANDF troops have now arrived in the country, and more are expected to arrive over the next few weeks. Cabinet was updated on the phased arrival of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the SADC decision to terminate the SAMIDRC intervention,' she said.