A 47-YEAR-OLD man from Mahikeng in the North West sells donkey meat.
It comes in the form of biltong and braai meat.
Mompati Kgomanyane Modimogale from Phola Village does not only sell a special type of meat, but donkey milk as well.
Residents who have expressed a strong interest in his business claimed that the meat and milk are nutritious.
Some men claim that the meat boosts their immune system and is an answer to their bedroom problems.
Customer Papi Mosetlo (59) said the meat is great.
"Milk and meat are beneficial. They aid with powerful erections and function similarly to Viagra. I eat donkey meat two to three times every week. It has greatly helped me in my relationship with my partner," he said.
Mompati said he is dealing with government concerns and must follow the National Meat Safety Act before selling, as he needs abattoir services for slaughter.
"They say I can't slaughter for business purposes. I use my business as an exhibition for now. My customers love meat. I have flavoured biltongs which my customers love, and they also love the taste of tshotlo (crushed/ shawarma meat)," he said.
ALSO READ | Rain brings boozy blessingsOpens in new window
Mompati markets his business on social media platforms.
"Due to popular demand, I showcase my products while working on a plan to comply with the government. I plan to have my slaughterhouse," he said.
He said he was inspired to start breeding donkeys while visiting Botswana in 2017, where he witnessed donkey milk sold to villagers who claimed it had nutritional and health benefits.
"I returned home, purchased roughly 40 donkeys, and began selling milk using social media platforms as my marketing technique.
"It wasn't long before I did my research and discovered that donkey meat was just as delicious as its milk," he said.
Mompati, whose aim is to start a donkey meat franchise, said he consulted relevant authorities to help him make his dream come true.
ALSO WATCH: We drink dirty water peed on by animals!
Dr Mankgopo M Kgatle, a medical scientist in Nuclear Medicine and Medical Virology and Epigenetics, said Mompati would need population-based data to support his concept.
"I think his concept could go very far, but we need to have substantial data done in our population. Yes, there might also be people saying it's working and does wonders, but we need substantial data on our population to support this.
"Otherwise, the concept of using this especially as a replacer of infant milk or for other postulated purposes may be crushed before hitting the ground by our authorities," she said.
Dr Tumi Leeuw, a paediatrician in Mahikeng, expressed her enthusiasm for the concept.
"I told him that donkey milk would be a good alternative, especially for children with allergies whose mothers have no choice but to give cow milk-based formula," she said.
Muzikayise Nkosi of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West said the department advised Mompati on basic requirements.
"Only meat of animals slaughtered at a registered abattoir can be sold to the public. In the North West, there's no registered donkey abattoir," he said.
