One of the most unexpected revelations from South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination campaign was not necessarily about the disease itself, but about the livestock population it uncovered.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
A discovery hidden in an animal health campaign
For years, we have accepted as fact that the majority of South Africa’s cattle are in the hands of commercial farmers, while communal and smallholder farmers own a much smaller share of the national herd. Conventional estimates place the country’s cattle population at between 13 and 14 million head, with approximately 60% owned by commercial producers and the remaining 40% by communal, emerging and smallholder farmers.
Yet, evidence emerging from the vaccination campaign suggests we may have been getting the numbers wrong all along.
In one instance I personally witnessed in the Rustenburg area, officials arrived at a communal grazing scheme with around 2 000 vaccine doses, only to discover that more than 7 000 cattle required vaccination. Similar reports from across the country are beginning to paint a picture that challenges long-held assumptions about the size and significance of the communal cattle herd.
While the figures are still being verified, indications are that communal areas may hold close to half if not more of South Africa’s national cattle herd. If this proves to be accurate, it would force us to rethink not only our livestock statistics, but also the role communal farmers play in the agricultural economy.
Also read: FMD | Another 2 million doses of vaccine arrive while ‘cows don’t carry passports’
More than just numbers
The reasons behind this underestimation are numerous. Informal livestock sales, unrecorded herd growth, weak census systems and the historical difficulty of accurately capturing livestock numbers in remote rural areas have all contributed to gaps in the data.
But for me, this discussion is about far more than numbers.
It is about recognising the enormous value and untapped potential that exists within communal farming systems.
The forgotten engine of the beef industry
The red meat industry often focuses on commercial production systems, feedlots and export markets. However, the local beef market remains heavily dependent on cattle produced by communal and smallholder farmers. Every week, thousands of animals enter auction rings and informal markets across the country, supplying a significant portion of the beef consumed by South Africans.
Despite this contribution, communal farmers remain largely overlooked when it comes to funding, infrastructure development, extension support and market access.
We must stop viewing communal farmers as marginal participants in the industry and start acknowledging them as a major force within the livestock sector. Once we do that, we can begin designing programmes that respond to their realities and ambitions.
Also read: From our editor: Weekend farming is not failure; it is often the beginning
Unlocking growth through land reform and expansion
Land tenure remains another critical challenge. Without secure rights and clear governance structures, many communal farmers are left vulnerable and unable to invest with confidence. Government must accelerate efforts to create certainty within communal land systems while protecting farmers from exploitation and arbitrary decision-making.
At the same time, South Africa needs a deliberate pathway that enables ambitious communal farmers to grow beyond the limitations of the communal system. Farmers who demonstrate the ability to build productive enterprises should be supported to expand through access to additional land, finance and markets. Such an approach would create opportunities for new entrants while reducing pressure on communal grazing resources.
Also read: Lessons from the ground: Building a livestock business on communal land
Why funding models must change
One of the biggest shortcomings is the lack of suitable funding models. Many communal farmers have built successful livestock enterprises over decades, yet remain excluded from formal financing because they do not fit traditional lending criteria. Their success is measured in productive herds, healthy families and thriving communities rather than balance sheets and audited financial statements.
This is where the Land Bank has a critical role to play. As South Africa’s premier agricultural development finance institution, the Land Bank should be at the forefront of developing innovative funding products tailored specifically for communal and smallholder farmers. The reality is that many communal farmers do not have title deeds, audited financial statements or extensive paperwork, yet they possess valuable livestock assets, proven production records and years of farming experience. Funding models should be designed around these realities rather than expecting communal farmers to fit into systems developed primarily for commercial agriculture.
Also read: How communal farmers could cash in on SA’s R1.2 billion goat meat export plan
Proof that success is possible
I am reminded of farmers like Mashamaite Huma of Limpopo, who built a livelihood through livestock farming, educated all four of his children through the proceeds of cattle and small-stock production, and today farms alongside his son, Kutama. Stories such as these demonstrate that success in agriculture is not determined by land ownership alone, but by resilience, commitment and the ability to make the most of available resources.
(Keep an eye on www.africanfarming.com tomorrow for the first in a three-part series of articles about Mashamaite and Kutama Huma.)
South Africa’s hidden agricultural asset
The recent FMD vaccination campaign may ultimately leave us with a lesson that extends well beyond animal health. It has revealed the possibility that one of South Africa’s greatest agricultural assets has been hiding in plain sight.
Communal land is not merely a social safety net. It is a productive asset, an economic driver and a reservoir of agricultural potential waiting to be unlocked.
The question is whether we are prepared to recognise its true value and invest in its future.
In the meantime, keep growing, keep producing and keep believing in the immense potential of African agriculture.
At African Farming, we remain committed to telling the stories that matter, celebrating the farmers who feed our nation and championing the opportunities that will shape the future of agriculture on our continent.
Also read:
From our editor: Weekend farming is not failure; it is often the beginning
From our editor: CPA land – South Africa’s hidden farming opportunity
