It is mid-February 2026. I farm with commercial and stud cattle and, like thousands of cattle, sheep, goat and pig farmers, have been in the grip of the most devastating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak South Africa has ever seen. I look back at the past 10 months and revisit everything that happened in the FMD space. Announcements of national herd vaccination, the Task Team and Industry Coordination Committee appointments, procurement attempts of vaccines and declaration of a National Disaster. I tirelessly follow and share every bit of news on FMD and speak daily with those working hard to develop strategies, solutions and plans.

By livestock farmer Giel Bekker

We knew FMD was a national disaster long before the President announced it on SONA 2026. Animals suffering, livelihoods destroyed, economic turmoil. It is all over, and there is nothing good about it. Still, as I write this, there is hardly any vaccine in the country. There are promises of 1 million doses arriving soon, with more to come – sometime toward the end of some month. That, while the preventative protocols, regulations, cures and remedies have been available for many years. Why the delays and inaction if there is a government department with officials primarily responsible for preventing and controlling the disease? That is their job. Their response is shielded behind laws, regulations and secrecy agreements. But is it valid? Is anything missing or lacking? Why is the lack of enthusiasm to put a solution forward so incomprehensible to us on the receiving end? Why do the three main role players not sit in one “war room” every day and expedite Sections 9, 10 and 21s? Why don’t we have a formal, logistical, traceable vaccination protocol on every veterinarian, technician or farmer’s table yet?

This is not the time for ideologies, politics, lawyers and intellectual property. It is time to be human.

The word “ubuntu” is commonly used in our country. At its core, it means that an individual’s humanity is inextricably bound to the humanity of others. It emphasises ethical values such as compassion, forgiveness and generosity. “I am because you are”.

In short, to live ubuntu, you must CARE!

When people care, their behaviour changes. They deprive themselves of comfort for others’ well-being. They view bureaucracy as a control mechanism that needs to be accelerated, not as a constraint. When people care, they avail themselves 24/7 until humanity has been restored. When people care, they take risks and challenge the status quo.

Deep care goes way beyond individual interest. It is ubuntu… and we need it now!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of African Farming.