Zuma expected to attend King Goodwill's livestock auction

King Goodwill Zwelithini is expected to host President Jacob Zuma and other high profile people at a livestock auction at the weekend, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal arts and culture department.

The department said KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu, farmers, business people and members of the community were also expected to attend the livestock auction on Saturday.

The auction, which would specialise in the sale of the Boran breed of cattle, would take place at the Zulu king's Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.

"We always have auctions, but this is the first time partnering with his Majesty [Zwelithini]," said department spokesperson Lelethu Manentsa.

"We are encouraging farmers who want to buy to come out in their number so that they can contribute to the farming economy."

Manentsa said the last time the department had held an auction in Msinga, the president had bought a cow.

"He is a farmer himself."

Manentsa said the auction would encourage subsistence and small-scale farmers to change their mindset and adopt agriculture as a business and a science.

"The department will be embarking on a communal livestock genetic programme, which will see the introduction of indigenous breeds like the Boran to communities according to their adaptability.

"This will improve the genetics of livestock and prepare them to be marketed on a sustainable basis, as well as introducing a market for communal livestock and ensuring economic participation and income for the owners."

The Boran breed comes from Kenya and has been introduced to South Africa.

Source News 24