Last week, together with a few men from my home village, I spent several hours trying to put out a fire that broke out on our communal land. Because of the good rains during the last rainy season, the grass had grown tall, making the fire extremely difficult to control. Without the necessary equipment and training, we quickly realised it was unwise to continue fighting and eventually gave up. Helplessly, we watched as the wind fuelled the blaze, consuming what we had hoped would remain grazing reserves until the next rains.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
The issue of veld fires is heartbreaking. They don’t just burn grasslands – they wipe out livelihoods. Earlier this week, we ran an article on the veld fires in the Free State, where MEC Elzabe Rockman, Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (FSDARD), alongside Dr Mbulelo Nokwequ, Head of Department at the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), assessed the widespread damage caused by fires in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality. Thousands of hectares of prime agricultural land were destroyed, threatening the survival of farming communities.
Also read: Free State officials assess damage after wildfire destroys about 6 000ha of farmland
At Sterkfontein Dam, about 6 000 hectares were reduced to ashes. On Saaihoek Farm, 800ha of Mr Makhalemele’s 1 063 hectares were lost, while on Juliana Farm, Mr Mosia’s entire 145-hectare grazing block was wiped out. Livestock perished, although, thankfully, no human lives were lost.
Bernard Habig of the North Eastern Free State Fire Protection Association highlighted the same challenge I witnessed at home: a lack of firefighting equipment, training and systems for reporting fires quickly.
In communal areas, this battle against veld fires feels almost unwinnable. The reasons are many. Communal land is treated like “no man’s land” – we claim it when it suits us but deny responsibility when it doesn’t. Everyone knows fires happen every year, yet few are willing to take proactive steps, like monitoring against arsonists, creating firebreaks or clearing bush encroachment that makes firefighting near impossible.
Also read: Veld restoration and grazing: Turning a thorny problem into a solution
The Cost of Collective Inaction
The deeper problem is our reluctance to work collectively. Because we fail to organise ourselves, we miss opportunities to rally support from authorities or implement strategies that protect our shared land. At an event in the Free State this week, the MEC outlined support for farmers, including training and equipment, but in many communal areas such support is out of reach because farmers are not organised, and no one is willing to take responsibility.
The truth is, organising ourselves in communal areas goes far beyond veld fires. With proper structures, we could also confront stock theft more effectively. Statistics South Africa’s recent Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey, as cited by agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo, shows staggering numbers: In 2024/25, over 61 000 goats, nearly 38 000 cattle, and more than 36 000 poultry were stolen. Much of this happens in communal areas, where a lack of systems makes theft easier.
It is time we accepted that no one is coming to save us. Our communal lands are valuable resources, but unless we take ownership and organise ourselves, we will continue to lose – whether to fire, theft or neglect. By working together, forming forums and building accountability, we can safeguard our grazing, protect our livestock and strengthen our communities. The responsibility is ours.
In Closing: Remembering Our Heroes
As we head into the weekend, I’d like to take this moment not only to wish you all a great one but also to extend my heartfelt condolences.
Earlier this week, we lost Mam Nandi Nyembe, a true treasure of South Africa’s arts industry. Many of us grew up watching her remarkable performances on television and film, and she carried the pride of Mzansi onto both local and international stages.
In the same breath, I also wish to again extend my condolences to the family of Tshidi Madia. The journalism and media fraternity has lost a fearless voice; a soldier whose work made a real difference.
May their souls rest in peace and may their families find comfort in knowing the lasting impact they both made on our nation.
