In a country prone to drought, South Africa is sinking more boreholes than ever before. Surina Esterhuyse, a groundwater scientist, examines the government’s plans to introduce stricter regulations for boreholes, including those in urban areas.'

Stygende dieselpryse gekoppel aan die Iran-oorlog versnel 'n vasteland wye verskuiwing in Afrika se telekommunikasiebedryf, wat operateurs dryf om diesel kragopwekkers met sonkrag-aangedrewe stelsels te vervang om mobiele netwerke aan die gang te hou en koste onder beheer te hou.


South Africa’s winter crop farmers are facing a difficult start to the 2026-27 season due to lower commodity prices, sharply higher fuel and fertiliser costs, and an uncertain weather outlook with below-normal rainfall expected in some areas

AfriForum sê die onlangse diefstal van militêre wapens, waaronder R4-aanvalsgewere en granaatwerpers by ’n weermagbasis in Centurion, beklemtoon weer eens die staat se onvermoë om sy eie wapens te beveilig.

South African farmers, already under pressure from sharply higher fuel and fertiliser costs caused by the Iran conflict, now face the added threat of a potential El Niño-induced drought.Agricultural Business Chamber Chief Economist Wandile Sihlobo warned that an El Niño dry spell is becoming increasingly likely just as the summer planting season begins in October.

Die minister van Landbou, John Steenhuisen, sê Suid-Afrika het sy bek-en-klouseer-inentingsprogram aansienlik uitgebrei en miljoene dosisse uit Argentinië en Turkye bekom terwyl plaaslike produksie 'n hupstoot gegee word. Hy het in die parlement gesê meer as 2,5-miljoen diere is reeds landwyd ingeënt en die departement beoog om teen einde vanjaar 80-persent van die nasionale kudde te bereik deur 'n risiko-gegronde ontplooiing wat deur provinsiale spanne en privaat vennote ondersteun word:

Predation remains a major and costly challenge for South African livestock farmers and wildlife ranchers. According to retired animal scientist Prof. HO de Waal, black-backed jackals and caracals are the main predators responsible, although vagrant dogs also cause significant damage, especially near settlements. Other species are sometimes unintentionally killed during control operations

The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has published the official fuel price adjustments for May 2026, which take effect on Wednesday, 6 May 2026. April was marked by continued volatility in global oil prices due to the United States’ conflict with Iran.

Dit is ironies en tragies dat Minister John Steenhuisen by Brasilië hulp soek oor bek-en-klouseer, terwyl Suid-Afrika van die wêreld se voorste kundiges op dié gebied het. Dit is die mening van Francois Wilken, president van Vrystaat Landbou

South Africa will not achieve its estimated maize export target of 2.4 million tons for the 2025-’26 marketing year, which ended on 30 April 2026. By 17 April, exports stood at approximately 1.95 million tons, consisting of 1.117 million tons of white maize and 838 221 tons of yellow maize, according to Sagis data.

South Africa will not achieve its estimated maize export target of 2.4 million tons for the 2025-’26 marketing year, which ended on 30 April 2026. By 17 April, exports stood at approximately 1.95 million tons, consisting of 1.117 million tons of white maize and 838 221 tons of yellow maize, according to Sagis data.

Three of South Africa’s biggest law firms — Werksmans, Webber Wentzel, and Bowmans — are taking the new Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Legal Sector Code to the Gauteng High Court.

South African farmers are being urged to shift towards regenerative agriculture, but according to Daneel Rossouw, Head of Sales at Nedbank Agriculture, the success of this transition depends heavily on proper financing structures.

New trial results show that a seaweed-derived biostimulant, Kelpak (made from Ecklonia maxima), can significantly boost table grape performance in South Africa. In a trial on Sable Seedless grapes in Klawer, the product delivered a 27% increase in yield and improved berry size distribution when applied at key growth stages. 

As of early May 2026, South Africa’s major dams are in a much better position compared to the same time last year, thanks to good rainfall during the 2025/26 summer season.The national average dam level currently stands at around 68 to 72 percent, which is considered healthy for this time of the year. This marks a significant improvement from the drier conditions experienced in previous seasons.

Opul+ het in beginsel ooreengekom om olieproduksieteikens in Junie te verhoog, volgens bronne wat met die groep se besprekings vertroud is, maar die verhoging sal grootliks simbolies bly weens voortdurende ontwrigting in Golf-energievoorsiening as gevolg van die VSA-Iran-konflik.

The latest Braai Index for April 2026 brings the worst news for South African braai lovers in 12 months. The cost of a typical braai basket jumped by 3.2% between March and April — the largest monthly increase in a year.

South Africa is battling a severe and widespread Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak that originated from buffalo in Kruger National Park, the only known natural reservoir for the virus in Africa. The disease has now spread to cattle across all nine provinces, leading to a national disaster declaration, strict movement controls, and plans to import millions of vaccine doses.

A new global food crisis is unfolding as a direct consequence of the war in the Gulf. Hunger and even famine are becoming foreseeable outcomes due to severe disruptions in fertiliser supplies and sharp increases in global food prices

Uitermatige reënval in die Vrystaat gedurende April het landerye in moerasse verander en groot uitdagings vir die landbousektor geskep. Baie gebiede het rekordneerslae van meer as 200 mm aangeteken, wat die grond so versadig gelaat het dat plaaspaaie onbegaanbaar geword het en voertuie selfs in tuine vasval.

South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, has welcomed China’s decision to extend its zero-tariff policy to all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including South Africa.From 1 May 2026, qualifying South African goods exported to China will enter duty-free for a period of two years (until April 2028), subject to rules of origin and proper documentation.

The European Union and Mercosur (South America) are moving closer to finalising a major trade agreement that will remove tariffs on around 90% of goods traded between the two blocs, phased in over approximately 12 years.

Namibië is op hoë gereedheidsgrondslag na 'n bek-en-klouseer uitbreking in die suide van Zambië bevestig is. Die Direktoraat Veeartsenykundige Dienste het 'n streng voorbereidingsstrategie versnel wat gefokus is op hoëfrekwensie-inentings oor die noordelike kommunale gebiede.

Grain SA has sent a strong warning letter to Minister Parks Tau of Trade, Industry and Competition. They stated that if he does not soon finalise the automation of the wheat tariff, they may take legal action (a mandamus) against him to force him to do so.

President Donald Trump van Amerika gaan tariewe op motors en vragmotors wat uit die Europese Unie ingevoer word, tot 25% verhoog, wat handelsspanning met Brussel verskerp. In ’n plasing op Truth Social het Trump die EU daarvan beskuldig dat hulle nie aan ’n ooreengekome handelsooreenkoms voldoen nie, maar hy
het geen besonderhede gegee nie.

Asparagus markets are currently in transition, with shifting supply levels creating varied conditions across major regions. In Europe, a surge in volumes from France, Italy, Spain, and other producers has led to oversupply and declining prices in recent weeks.

Brasilië het 64 jaar geneem om bek-en-klouseer (BKS) heeltemal uit te roei. Suid-Afrika hoop om met Brasilië se hulp die siekte binne 10 jaar onder beheer te kry.Die Suid-Afrikaanse Departement van Landbou se biosekerheidspan het onlangs Brasilië besoek om kennis oor BKS-uitroeiing te bekom.

The South African Reserve Bank’s April 2026 Monetary Policy Review warns that health insurance premiums have consistently outpaced headline inflation due to overutilisation, structural market inefficiencies, and high concentration among hospital groups and administrators.

South African food inflation is projected to climb as the agricultural sector faces a combination of shifting weather patterns and global geopolitical instability. The anticipated arrival of El Niño in mid-2026 threatens to bring droughts and unpredictable rainfall, which would significantly reduce crop yields across the region.

No medium in farming and agriculture give you so much news at one address - 

Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has now gazetted the Routine Vaccination Scheme in response to the Foot and Mouth outbreak. LD pic.twitter.com/Pu7cyGKVtc

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 5, 2026

The only difference between other comrades blaming the past and @jsteenhuisen is that, for a brief moment, the comrades at least considered the possibility that they might also be partly to blame. pic.twitter.com/o651K3rmVM

— Francois Rossouw (@FrancoisRosso15) May 5, 2026

#BBBEE A unique case in the public interest. The showdown is about transformation in the legal fraternity. Big law firms, largely white owned, are challenging the LSC, arguing it's unlawful. Other bodies, including the LPC, support the Code & say it's vital for the sector. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/beCfFlumym

— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) May 5, 2026

Press Play⏯️ “We have already distributed 2.5 million doses of FMD vaccines which were procured from the renowned vaccine manufacturer, Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina.” Minister John Steenhuisen https://t.co/M7lsJ2Ejl6 #FMDUpdate #ServiceDeliveryZA pic.twitter.com/tat4jFbUHX

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) May 5, 2026

 This is CRA MEDIA .