Gauteng Smallholder March 2016 | Page 8

NEWS E Rand plots get dedicated water tanker A dedicated four-ton water tanker complete with a high-pressure pump and two hoses has been donated to residents of the East Rand smallholding suburbs of Marister and Benoni Agricultural Holdings by septic tank pumping firm Suck Well. According to Suck Well director Alet Potgieter the vehicle, a Toyota Dyna with a 4 000 litre capacity tank named Monica, was the company's first honeysucker and had become surplus to requirements. After a comprehensive clean-out, service and respray, and the fitting of pumps, the vehicle was made ready for use in combating veld and forest Right: Monica, Marister’s dedicated water tanker 6 www.sasmallholder.co.za blazes on the plots, as well as to assist when residents elect to burn firebreaks. All these renovations were donated by the residents. Those who Continued on page 8 DROUGHT From page 5 touch with Mr N C Schoombie of "Boere in Nood" who has a data base with all farmers in need and those they have to date helped. From my side I have arranged approximately 250 Ha of veld available to them in Midrand to cut and bale. Schoombie said this evening that he has acquired another 800 or so hectares of available veldgrass in Midrand. There are probably thousands of hectares of veld grass available where farmers do not graze cattle or developers sit on land, that could be utilized for harvesting, on the East Rand alone. 'tis now the time for all who hold Mother Earth and that which She delivers so abundantly, to join forces and stand together to deliver grazing for starving livestock! This is where your readers would fit in. Anybody with land that is not used for grazing, and which is usually cut, or burnt during the fire season, can help farmers in need of fodder by having their fields cut now, thereby saving the liv