South Africa to receive 1 million Foot-and-Mouth vaccines in record import: Steenhuisen

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has announced that South Africa will receive a shipment of 1 million foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines from Biogenesis Bago on Saturday.

He said this would be the largest single import of vaccines to date and would bring much-needed relief to the provinces and regions hardest hit by the outbreak.

Steenhuisen made the announcement during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday afternoon, where MPs debated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The debate continues on Wednesday at 2pm, with the president expected to reply on Thursday at 2pm.

Steenhuisen, who is also leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the largest partner in the Government of National Unity (GNU), said Ramaphosa’s speech reflected a country that had begun to turn the corner after years of stagnation and crisis.

“Under the GNU, we have achieved real, tangible progress,” he said.

He credited much of that progress to the DA’s participation in government, citing its focus on reform, fiscal discipline and pro-growth policies.

Steenhuisen said the economy was growing again, with four consecutive quarters of positive GDP growth. Inflation was at its lowest level in 20 years, national debt had stabilised, interest rates were easing and borrowing costs were declining.

“The rand has strengthened, and unemployment is at its lowest level in five years,” he said. “These are important signals that this seventh administration, a coalition government and the first not under single-party rule, is making a positive impact.”

He said South Africa was in a better position than it had been on the eve of the 2024 election, but warned against complacency.

“At projected growth rates of around 1.5%, we fall far short of the 3% or more needed to lift millions out of poverty and create the jobs our people desperately need,” he said.

He acknowledged that many South Africans continued to face unemployment, failing municipal infrastructure and high crime levels.

“We have turned the corner, yes, but we are nowhere near the destination. We must move faster,” he said.

Steenhuisen called for accelerated economic liberalisation and greater private sector involvement. He said Operation Vulindlela had delivered results in energy and ports and should now be expanded to rail, water and telecommunications.

“Unbundle, concession and privatise where necessary to unlock investment and efficiency,” he said.

He also called for reforms to black economic empowerment policies, arguing for broader-based empowerment that prioritises skills, ownership and opportunity.

Turning to local government, Steenhuisen said appointments must be based on merit and municipal officials held accountable.

“Competence must determine who runs our cities and towns,” he said.

He also called for structural reforms to encourage job creation, including easing labour market rigidities, and for stronger, intelligence-led policing to tackle crime.

On foot-and-mouth disease, Steenhuisen welcomed Ramaphosa’s decision to classify the outbreak as a national disaster, saying it would unlock a coordinated response and support a new national strategy.

He said South Africa lost its vaccine production capability in 2005 and had since relied primarily on imports from the Botswana Vaccine Institute. Under the new strategy, additional international suppliers had been secured.

For the first time in more than 20 years, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) had produced a batch of vaccines for operational use. The facility had been capacitated to produce 20,000 doses a week initially, with plans to scale up to 200,000 doses a week by 2027.

“In total, by the end of March, we anticipate receiving more than 5 million vaccines from three different suppliers,” he said.

More than 2 million doses had already been administered nationwide, with daily vaccinations continuing.

Steenhuisen also announced that, under the Animal Diseases Act, private veterinarians would be allowed to register to administer vaccines as part of the national rollout. The target is to vaccinate 80% of the national herd by December.

“Protecting agriculture is not only about farmers. It is about protecting economic growth, jobs and stability,” he said.

He said the DA remained committed to the GNU but would not offer blind loyalty.

“We will continue to fight for bolder change and ensure that every cent of public money works for the people, not politicians,” he said.

“To every South African listening today, the progress we have made is real, but the work ahead is urgent.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za 

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