South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Botswana’s acting minister Onneetse Ramogapi recently spearheaded a fifth nationwide mass vaccination campaign in Swartkopfontein, North West, highlighting a unified front against the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. The initiative specifically targets communal livestock located near the shared border, which remains highly vulnerable to transnational biosecurity threats. By coordinating these efforts, both nations hope to strengthen herd immunity and mitigate the economic risks posed by the highly contagious virus.
Despite these efforts, local farmers have expressed significant anxiety regarding the practicalities of disease control in the region. Many pointed out that the lack of robust fencing along the border allows cattle to migrate freely between South Africa and Botswana, rendering vaccination less effective without physical barriers. One farmer noted that without a secure fence from the Kopfontein border to Ramatlabama, the risk of reinfection remains high as livestock frequently cross over and mingle with potentially infected herds on the other side.
In response to these concerns, Minister Steenhuisen announced plans to convene a Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting to formalise a regional strategy. A primary goal of this upcoming assembly is the creation of a regional vaccine bank, which would allow for the rapid deployment of resources regardless of where an outbreak originates. This approach acknowledges that the movement of livestock is a collective challenge that requires a collective solution rather than isolated national policies.
Minister Ramogapi reinforced the necessity of this partnership by noting that livestock do not recognise geopolitical boundaries or require documentation to move across the landscape. He emphasised Botswana’s long-standing experience in FMD management, which includes strict protocols such as culling and compensating farmers when cattle cross into high-risk zones. As additional vaccine consignments are expected in the near future, both governments remain committed to expanding their coverage to protect the livelihoods of agricultural communities across the SADC region.
Regarding the necessity of international cooperation, Minister John Steenhuisen stated: “We do need to work together if we’re going to combat foot and mouth disease in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.”
