NGONYAMA VILLAGE, Eastern Cape – Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe has officially handed over a fully equipped R1.4 million shearing shed to wool farmers in Ngonyama Village, Mbhashe Local Municipality.
The facility was officially opened on Thursday, 17 September 2026, despite heavy rains in the area. Kontsiwe was joined by Mbhashe Local Municipality Executive Mayor Dr Samkelo Janda.
The Department of Agriculture invested more than R1.4 million in the facility, which includes a plunge dipping tank, ablution facilities, an office, removable animal-handling facilities and fencing.
The Masibambisane Woolgrowers Association, formed in 2017, has about 48 members, comprising 23 women and 25 men. The department also provided the association with 10 Dohne Merino rams to improve the quality of its wool.
During the last shearing season, farmers sheared 3,409 sheep and produced 19 bales of wool, which were sold to CMW in Gqeberha for R98,342.
Before the investment, farmers had to travel more than 15 kilometres to a shearing shed in Xeni location in another ward. The Department of Agriculture and Mbhashe Local Municipality are also supporting vaccinations at the shed to help prevent livestock diseases.
Association chairman Mtutuzeli Vayisi welcomed the facility, saying farmers had previously used their homes to shear sheep.
“We are very happy that the government has provided us with a shed. Over the past 9 to 10 years, we were using our houses to shear sheep.”
Vayisi said the farmers hoped the new facility would improve both the quality and quantity of their wool, while also welcoming growing interest in wool production among young people and women.
MEC Kontsiwe urged farmers to use the investment to improve production and work towards becoming commercially independent.
“Farmers should grow and be able to export their own wool for even better returns instead of only supplying other people,” she said.
Kontsiwe also called on residents to work with police to combat stock theft and report suspicious activities.
Mayor Janda urged the community to protect the facility and ensure that it remains dedicated to wool production.
“The community should not convert the sheds into churches and crèches, you should use them for what they were intended for,” Janda said.
