The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced a major boost to its foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination campaign, with the welcoming of 60 newly employed animal health technicians (AHTs) and the launch of 48 vehicles aimed at strengthening service delivery across the province.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, presided over the event, which was held at the Cedara Sports Field in the uMngeni Local Municipality on 5 May. She underscored the seriousness of the threat that FMD poses to KwaZulu-Natal’s farmers and livestock economy.
“Foot-and-mouth disease is a serious threat; it is hurting our farmers and our economy. In the past, we waited for outbreaks and then tried to control them. That is not good enough any more. We must now work to get rid of this disease completely,” said MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.
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A Significant Boost to Vaccination Teams
The 60 new AHTs, employed under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), will augment existing field teams and are expected to immediately increase the number of operational vaccination teams from 20 to 35. These recruits will relieve pressure on veterinary-led teams, assisting with vaccinations, working in veterinary diagnostic laboratories and supporting data collection efforts.
Described as the “nurses” of the veterinary world, AHTs play a critical role in bridging the gap between fully qualified veterinarians and the communities they serve.
The new recruits are hired on 12-month contracts, renewable for up to three years. The Department noted that a final phase of the intervention – involving the recruitment of EPWP data capturers and administration clerks – will further expand field teams to 45 in total.
Youth Employment at the Heart of the Drive
The Department also highlighted its broader employment commitments made this year. In March, it employed 133 young people under the Unemployed Agricultural Graduate Programme and 109 assistant agricultural practitioners (AAPs). Combined with the 60 new AHTs, this brings the number of people employed by the Department in 2026 alone to 302, with more appointments, including data capturers and administration clerks, yet to be announced.
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40 Vehicles Launched to Improve Field Access
Alongside the employment announcements, the Department launched 48 vehicles, including 4×4 units specifically selected to navigate the difficult terrain in which many of the province’s dip tanks are located. The vehicles will be deployed to support veterinary operations and vaccination drives across all districts.
“It’s a daunting task for many of our veterinary services to access dip tanks, which are often situated in difficult terrain. These vehicles will help us effectively navigate those areas and improve service delivery to our farmers,” MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa explained.
Vaccination Progress Across the Province
The Department provided a comprehensive update on the status of the provincial FMD vaccination campaign, which commenced on 26 February 2026 in the Ugu District:
- Ugu District: Completed – 54 000 cattle vaccinated;
- Harry Gwala District: Completed – 278 000 cattle vaccinated (with teams returning to isolated pockets to ensure no animal is missed);
- uMkhanyakude District: Completed – 175 000 cattle vaccinated; and
- AbaQulusi (Zululand District): Ongoing – more than 100 000 cattle vaccinated so far, with Pongola and eDumbe areas already concluded.
To date, more than 766 000 cattle have been vaccinated across KwaZulu-Natal.
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Dairy Industry Vaccination Completed
In a landmark achievement, the Department announced the successful completion of vaccinations for all dairy cattle across every district in the province, covering 355 000 dairy cattle. This milestone was reached in partnership with the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO), which issued a statement last week commending the collaboration.
“Working in partnership with the industry, we have concluded the vaccination of dairy cattle in the province,” MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa announced.
The Department said its primary mandate remains the protection of farmers and the livestock industry, and that its accelerated vaccination campaign is designed to ensure KwaZulu-Natal remains competitive in both national and international livestock markets.
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