Umzimvubu Local Municipality is strengthening support for the Lugangeni feedlot as part of its Local Economic Development (LED) drive that is aimed at promoting agriculture and value-adding activities to stimulate the local economy. The project was established to support local farmers by providing infrastructure for cattle feed lotting, raise household incomes and create local jobs. The feedlot facility is developed to provide dedicated storage for controlled cattle feeding, which remains a key pillar of the municipality’s value-adding strategy and is receiving ongoing investment to improve operations and resilience.
Supported by the municipality, the project has added core infrastructure such as storage and feed-mixing capacity, with a multi-purpose shed funded at R2 million in the 2024/25 financial year to stabilise production through weather and disease shocks.
The Lugangeni facility targets emerging livestock farmers from across Umzimvubu, so they can bring animals to a secure, managed site, feed to market-readiness and sell at better prices. These interventions align with the municipality’s LED objectives to enhance beef production, improve agricultural productivity, increase beneficiary income and expand local employment.
The project secretary Mrs Nokhanya Siwisa says the feedlot was initiated as a legacy contribution by WBHO, not only for KwaBhaca and Lugangeni but for the entire Umzimvubu community. She explained that while the facility was designed for calf feed lotting, feed shortages have prompted a shift to finishing mature cattle for market, and she thanked the municipality for continued assistance with feed, provision of infrastructure and operations.
Residents have appealed for electrification, stronger perimeter fencing and high-mast lighting following theft incidents. Siwisa noted that traditional leadership and law enforcement stepped in during recent cases, and ward representative Cllr Mzukhanye Ngwaqa said stock theft pressures have accelerated the push for robust fencing and security. He added that the municipality’s LED department and the Department of Agriculture are already supporting the project.
Mayor Cllr Zukiswa Ndewu emphasised that the feedlot allows farmers to bring livestock to a managed facility, feed them, and sell into the market. “We understand the need for improved lights such as flag lights and tightened security,” she said, reaffirming the municipality’s determination to complete the project with proper fencing and electrification to mitigate stock theft. The municipality also welcomed the effective collaboration between the Project Steering Committee and the community during construction.
