BETHAL – Farmers, businesses and the community came together to help farmers who were affected by the devastating fires in the Free State.
The response was phenomenal. Everything from feed, supplements and medicine for cattle as well as food and household items for the farmers, was donated to those in need.
Vice-chairman of Bethal Rural Safety, Mr Hennie Bekker who is also a farmer and assisted in transporting the goods to the Free State, said: “We are used to battling fires, especially in the winter, but this was something else. I have never seen a place burn down like this.
“Here and there you will see a small branch and that is it. There is no grass, just rocks and sand,” said Mr Bekker
He said at one of the drop off points, a farmer who had been living on his farm since 1968 had lost 1 043 hectare of land and 18 heads of cattle due to the fire.
“The farmer had never experience fires this bad in all his years of farming,” said Mr Bekker.
He thanked all who were involved in this project, including businesses who gave financially for fuel and the CPF members who made sure trucks and vehicles with trailers had a safe commute from Bethal to the Free State.
Special thanks also went to TWK in Bethal who help last minute with assisting with an extra vehicle.
Mr Bekker said 12 truckloads had been delivered to date.
If you want to get involved in this project, contact Mr Bekker at 084 905 6415.
