Bonita Francis
National Woolgrowers’ Association of SA
H
istory was made when 10
rams of Mr Lawrence Maduna, emerging commercial farmer from Lady Grey,
was delivered to the Ngcobo community as part of the Genetic Improvement
Programme (GIP) of the NWGA, funded
by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR). These
rams formed part of the 2 973 commercially bred-rams which were introduced
to communities during April / May this
year and have been bred to be fully
adapted to the veld and farming conditions of the communal farming areas of
the Eastern Cape.
The NWGA established three communal
ram breeders and assisted them with
training and mentorship to manage and
breed quality rams. Selection of rams to
be approved for the GIP was done by
the independent specialist for the GIP,
Mr Abrie Aucamp. Each emerging
breeder was given 90 pregnant quality
ewes from commercial breeders involved in the program. This further
resulted in closer cooperation with
DRDLR personnel and the involvement
of other role-players such as Brokers,
Sponsors, Farmers’ Cooperatives and
Dignitaries.
“I am grateful for the assistance and
empowerment by the NWGA and for
grating me the opportunity to be part of
the transformation process”, said Lawrence, a sheep and cattle farmer. The
support received from family, friends,
the donation of a ram by Geoff Kingwill
and advice from neighbouring farmers
and Mr. Kama and Mjongile who started
the project with him, has contributed to
the success of the scheme.
The NWGA would like to thank Mr. Maduna for his unfailing perseverance,
good management skills and farming
practices as well as his hands-on approach during different stages of the
programme. The NWGA is proud to be
associated with a fully-fledged emerging
commercial breeder.