Black farmers go into the wild
Wildlife school to open this month
For the first time in North West, black farmers will have the opportunity to learn how to farm wildlife.
The provincial department of rural, environment and agricultural development will open the first Wildlife Academy in Taung this month.
Small-scale farmer Nthabiseng Kgobokoe of Buhrmandrift outside Mahikeng said the school offered a perfect opportunity for new, young entrants in wildlife farming.
Kgobokoe has leased a farm where she breeds livestock and grows vegetables.
She has knowledge about wild animals as she has warthogs, springboks and other antelopes on her farm but lacks sufficient knowledge to go big in breeding them.
“We have a bit of knowledge and exposure but we lack education. We don’t know how to take care of it (the farm) and its value,” she said.
Kgobokoe thinks it’s an excellent idea that the department is opening a school. She strongly believes the school will help her and other black farmers in her area, as most of them lack necessary skills to grow their businesses.
“We breed these ones (warthogs and springboks) because it’s easier for us. With [other] wildlife [like lions, leopards, etc), besides buying the animals, we need proper infrastructure and fencing is super crucial.”
Kgobokoe said farmers also had to develop a better understanding of the nutritional requirements of the animals.
“It’s a lucrative business. You can do game drives and you can sell your breeds locally or export them.”
She said the school should not only be about capacitating aspiring wildlife farmers but should also be the vehicle to transform people’s understanding of game farming.
“It’s a brilliant idea. We would now have the opportunity to trade in things we are not used to. It’s good to break barriers,” she said.
Emerging livestock farmer Clifford Nkoukou said he too would be happy to venture into wildlife farming.
“It (wildlife farming) has always been associated with whites. Game farming can make us good money. The school is an excellent idea,” he said.
Departmental spokeswoman Emelda Setlhako said the academy would provide capacity in the province to pave a smooth route for the successful change that will elevate the GDP contribution from wildlife economic activities.
“As a first intake the department has selected 40 young people from rural communities around the province. We will train them for 12 months in partnership with the SA Wildlife College,” she said.
‘‘ We’ve a bit of knowledge but we lack education