Don’t Tell Farmers How To Farm – Ask Them Instead      How South Africa's diesel price hike will affect food and transport costs      Is hemp a thirsty crop? New research measures just how much water cannabis farming can use      Visualizing Global Attitudes Towards AI      Australian wine exports drop to 22-year low      United States investigation into South Africa      VIEWPOINT- South Africa’s land reform programme and its agricultural trade relationships       South Africa -Weeklikse Landbou Nuusoorsig - Weekly Agriculture News Summary 5th August 2026      Weekly Health News Quanlim Health- LifeIselect 5 August 2026      How white farmers still dominate land ownership in South Africa in spite of land reform – new research     
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  • South Africa could help Zimbabwe’s farming sector thrive again

    The collapse of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector from the early 2000s is well documented, and largely attributed to ill-conceived land reform policies.

  • Crisis proofing South Africa's water security

    South Africa is often referred to as the 30th driest country in the world, a claim that's based on its average annual rainfall of 500mm compared to the world average of 860mm. National rainfall averages have a purpose.

  • Wildlife organisations support parliamentary ban on captive lion breeding

    The use of lion parts in commercial trade is one of the major emerging threats to wild lions and could facilitate illegal trade.

  • Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) – Global Action Plan

    Over 500 million family farms, most of which are small-scale with limited opportunities for improving their livelihood and the well-being of their communities, across the world produce over 80 percent of the world’s food. They often have less access to energy, clean water, sanitation, decent jobs, and have higher rates of poverty.

    Despite these constraints, family farmers have huge potential to become key agents of development strategies, such as helping to ensure that food systems contribute to healthier diets and ensuring the environmental, social and economic sustainability of our food systems. Supporting family farmers also means managing land rights and developing enabling policies and investment plans.

    The Seven Pillars of the UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028)

    Develop an enabling policy environment to strengthen family farming
    Support youth and ensure the generational sustainability of family farming
    Promote gender equity in family farming and the leadership role of rural women
    Strengthen family farmers’ organizations and their capacities to generate knowledge, represent farmers’ concerns and provide inclusive services in rural areas.
    Improve socio-economic inclusion, resilience and well-being of family farmers, rural households and communities.
    Promote sustainability of family farming for climate-resilient food systems.
    Strengthen the multidimensionality of family farming to promote social innovations contributing to territorial development and food systems that safeguard biodiversity, the environment and culture.
    The regional launch of the UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) was held during a side event at the 2019 Conference for Land Policy in Africa (CLPA). The side event explored the potential of family farmers to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and how the UN Decade of Family Farming can sustain and promote actions at global, regional, and national levels to support the transformation of food and agriculture systems for healthy diets and improved nutrition. The Decade’s Global Action plan was shared with member states and other stakeholders, providing an opportunity to share the achievements that went into implementing the Decade as well as discussing the next steps.

    he Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today launched the Global Family Farming Forum, celebrating the essential role of family farmers in building sustainable agrifood systems and tackling the impacts of the climate crisis, while identifying ways to better support them.

    Over three days, family farmers, alongside government officials, researchers and experts, will be at the forefront of discussions on how to drive progress in achieving food security and sustainable development. Marking the halfway point of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) 2019-2028, the event being held at FAO’s headquarters on the sidelines of the World Food Forum 2024, will showcase policy innovations and successful experiences from around the world.

      Family farmer resolution against farm killings

    “Family farmers “provide most of our food – which amounts to 70 to 80 percent globally, in value terms,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said at the launch event.

    “Family farmers are the people that know best the realities of working the land, handling animals, the ocean and the forests. Their voices and perspectives are vital to our discussions during this week.”

    “They need financial services, they need new technologies, they need new channels to access markets…together we need to work on that,” the Director-General said.

    “Family farmers - who are on the frontline of a multitude of crises - are bearing the brunt. Yet, they also hold the knowledge and experience to drive meaningful change. It is our responsibility to support and empower them, ensuring they remain central to the solutions we pursue,” said Gérardine Mukeshimana, IFAD’s Vice-President.

    She also emphasized that IFAD ambitions to mobilize $ 10 billion to invest in rural people over the next three years, and improve agricultural productivity, strengthen resilience, increase incomes, both on and off the farm and support rural entrepreneurs to develop businesses and create jobs.

    In his welcoming remarks, Limber Cruz Lopez, Minister of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, called on governments to prioritise investment in family farming particularly in technology which he said could “radically transform the production capacity of small farmers… and also their quality of life.”

    Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City, Archpriest St. Peter’s Basilica and José Graziano da Silva, Director-General, Instituto Fome Zero, and former FAO Director-General also participated in the opening ceremony.

    Other high level participants included representatives of the government of Italy, one of the main sponsors of this event, as well as several ministers from across the globe who will participate in discussions on country level initiatives, challenges and opportunities.

    Spotlight on young and women farmers

    Participants at the Global Family Farming Forum will explore priority areas such as innovation, investment, gender equality, and equitable access to land and natural resources and delve into topics including climate resilience, public policy innovations and diversified market opportunities for family farmers.

    Special emphasis will be placed on empowering young farmers and the importance of youth engagement in agriculture. The Forum will also focus on policy innovations that address the unique challenges faced by rural women, who play a pivotal role in sustaining family farms and preserving Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge.

    The Forum will serve as a call to action for renewed commitment from governments, organizations and stakeholders to support family farming as outlined in the UNDFF.

    During the Forum, a model rural radio station, a fully operational broadcasting setup, will be streaming live from FAO headquarters, to amplify discussions and perspectives on family farming to rural audiences.

    What is Family Farming?

    Family farming, with over 550 million farms worldwide, is the backbone of food production, accounting for over 90 percent of all farms. Family farmers, especially in low-and middle-income countries, grow diverse, nutritious food, support crop biodiversity and manage natural resources responsibly. Beyond ensuring global food security, they also preserve rural communities, cultural heritage and natural resources.

    Thanks to highly adaptable agricultural practices rooted in local knowledge and without heavy reliance on major external inputs, family farmers help to enhance soil health, boost productivity, and increase resilience to climate impacts.

    Despite the significant role of family farmers in producing food for a large proportion of the global population, their livelihoods remain precarious.

    A majority live in rural areas where nearly 80 percent of the world’s poor and food insecure live. They face many difficulties in accessing productive resources, market opportunities, and essential services. For women, these obstacles are even greater, hampering their productivity and affecting the broader agrifood system, perpetuating poverty and hunger. Besides farming, family farmers take on multiple, often informal, economic activities to contribute towards their small incomes.

    FAO’s role

    FAO and IFAD lead the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) 2019-2028, which aims to develop, improve and implement public policies and investments in support of family farming, unleashing the transformative potential of family farmers to contribute to the transformation of agrifood systems and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    FAO has been collaborating closely with governments, parliamentarians and family farmers to shape public policies and legislation that improve conditions for family farmers. Through 45 national committees for family farming, at least 2 625 relevant actors have engaged in dialogue processes or platforms, including 1 853 family farmer organizations and federations.

    FAO’s knowledge platforms on family farming, such as the Family Farming Knowledge Platform, the Regional Technical Platform for Family Farming, and three Communication for Development regional initiatives, provide valuable resources and foster knowledge exchange, while initiatives like the Farmer Field Schools and the Forest and Farm Facility offer direct support to farmer organizations.

    For example, in the Dominican Republic, new proposed laws on family farming, public procurement and school feeding have been developed in the wake of the adoption of the national action plan for family farming. The legal framework supports the development of a comprehensive strategy to improve family farmers’ connections to markets and foster their inclusion in new markets related to agritourism and recreation.

  • Dehorning bears fruit as rhino poaching deaths drop in 2024

    ore than a thousand rhinos were dehorned in this park last year to make them less desirable targets for poaching syndicates.

    Releasing the latest rhino poaching statistics yesterday (6 March) Environment Minister Dion George welcomed the “encouraging downward trend” in poaching, particularly in KZN, where poaching deaths dropped from 325 rhinos in 2023 to 232 last year.

    “From January to December 2024, 420 rhinos were poached in South Africa, with 320 being killed on state properties and 100 on privately owned parks, reserves or farms. This was a decrease (of 79) in comparison to 499 rhinos poached in 2023.

    “The hardest hit province continues to be KwaZulu-Natal that lost 232 rhinos; however, this is a notable decline from the 325 that were lost in 2023. The significant reduction can largely be attributed to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Dehorning Programme, that was implemented in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park from April to October 2024.

    “The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) funded programme had an immediate impact, with monthly poaching numbers dropping from 35 in April to fewer than 10 per month between May and September 2024.

    “In October, however, poaching syndicates adapted their tactics and began targeting dehorned rhinos, leading to a sudden spike in poaching incidents in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and in that month alone, the province lost 27 rhinos. Fortunately, the provincial anti-rhino poaching team responded swiftly, intercepting the new syndicate and preventing further losses. The considerable efforts resulted in the province ultimately achieving a 67% decline in rhino poaching over the eight months,” George’s statement said.

    Steady drop

    Jeff Cooke, the manager of WWF South Africa’s rhino conservation unit, that has been assisting Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife with a massive operation to dehorn rhinos in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, noted that the dehorning began only in April, leading to a steady drop in poaching during the last eight months of the year.

    “It’s looking much better each month,” he said, recalling that more than 100 rhinos were gunned down in the first four months of the year, (before the dehorning operation began).

      Rhino of South Africa

    Nevertheless, Cooke cautioned that it was essential for all rhino reserves to regularly dehorn their animals, as the horns continue to grow after being shaved off with chainsaws, without damaging the growth plate at the horn base.

    It was likely, he said, that recent dehorning in KZN had deflected poaching pressure from this province back towards the Kruger National Park and other rhino reserves.

    George confirmed that 88 rhinos were poached in Kruger last year – 10 more animals than the 78 deaths reported for Kruger National Park in 2023.  

    “Up until the end of November 2024, rhino losses reported in the Kruger National Park stood at 67, but a significant escalation in rhino poaching activities was experienced during December 2024 and this has continued into January 2025.

    “ A total of 21 rhino were reported poached in Kruger National Park during December 2024 and a further 17 were reported poached during January 2025.  This escalation in rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park is of great concern.”

    He said SANParks and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife were both continuing to implement “a number of actions and initiatives” to reduce poaching in hotspot areas, including polygraph (lie-detector) tests for conservation staff. These tests had led to the arrests of at least two rangers in Kruger.

    (Graphic: Supplied by DFFE)

    (Graphic: Supplied by DFFE)

    (Graphic: Supplied by DFFE)

    While the latest statistics appear to be a cause for hope, it remains difficult to measure the true significance of the latest decline in poaching deaths as a percentage of the total population. This is because annual statistical estimates on the total remaining population of rhinos in South African reserves are not publicised for security reasons.

    However, total rhino numbers have been dropping dramatically since around 2008, the year poaching began to escalate significantly in South Africa – reaching an annual killing rate of more than 1,000 animals a year for five consecutive years between 2013 and 2017.

    The worst year was 2014, when 1,215 rhinos were shot and butchered nationally.

    Poaching deaths have since declined steadily, partly because there are now fewer rhinos to poach and also due to more effective security measures and dehorning programmes.

    However, dehorning still has limitations due to high costs and because there have been several cases of dehorned rhinos being killed to extract their remnant horn stumps, especially with older animals and those that are not dehorned regularly.

    In his statement, Minister George said he was encouraged that there had been “some very good convictions in relation to rhino related cases, with lengthy direct imprisonment terms “.

    “However, the time that it takes to finalise many of these cases does remain a concern and unfortunately where the suspects are released on bail, the data tells us that a large number of them continue to commit crimes (often relating to rhino poaching and/or horn trafficking). Accordingly, expediting these cases through our courts as well as vigorously opposing bail will no doubt result in safeguarding more rhino.”

    He noted the recent conviction of Francis Kipampa, a 50-year-old Congolese citizen who had become a major role-player in the buying of rhino horns in Gauteng. 

    He was sentenced in January to 18 years’ imprisonment, of which eight years were suspended for five years), during a collaborative investigation into organised crime and money laundering known as Project Blood Orange.

    In a second case, Ntsako Miaas Maluleke and Phanuel Vutivi Chabalala (arrested at OR Tambo Airport in 2018 en route to Vietnam with two boxes containing 27 rhino horns) were convicted last year and sentenced to 20 years in jail (five years of which was suspended, resulting in an effective 15 years in prison)

    Two Kruger Park rangers, Lucky Mkanzi and Joe Sihlangu, were also sentenced to an effective term of 20 years each after being convicted on several charges related to assisting in rhino poaching in the Crocodile Bridge area for financial reward.

  • Incredible machines - what tractor sales tell us about agribusiness- South Africa

    One should never preannounce the focus of their next column, because one never knows what the next day might hold.

  • Big Data And Smart Farmers For Africa’s Agricultural Transformation

    Why data could be the deciding factor in Africa’s agricultural transformation. The world has a palm oil problem.

  • Stable growth forecast for 2019 South African wine grape crops

    Wine industry representative body Vinpro expects 2019 wine grape crops will return to normal levels in most regions, owing to good rainfall after a three-year-long drought.

  • Will Africa Experience the Same Heatwave Conditions as Europe in Summer?

    Europe has been grappling with intensifying heatwaves, described by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) as occurring on the "fastest-warming continent on Earth." The 2003 heatwave, a pivotal event, killed over 70,000 people across 16 European countries and prompted nations like France to implement heatwave alert systems. With scorching temperatures becoming more frequent, prolonged, and intense due to climate change, the question arises: will Africa face similar heatwave conditions during its summer months? Below, we explore this question by examining Africa’s climate trends, regional differences, and the influence of climate change, drawing parallels and contrasts with Europe’s experience.
    Europe’s Heatwave Context
    Europe’s heatwaves have become a hallmark of its warming climate, with Copernicus noting that the continent is warming at twice the global average rate—approximately 0.53°C per decade since the 1980s. Key features include: 2003 Shockwave: The August 2003 heatwave in Western Europe, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, led to an estimated 70,000 excess deaths. Geographic Spread: Heatwaves have affected all of Europe, from Russia’s 2010 heatwave (56,000 deaths) to northern Europe in 2019 and southern Europe in 2021, with record temperatures like 48.8°C in Syracuse, Italy (2021). Extended Seasons: Heatwaves now start earlier (mid-June in 2019 and 2022) and extend later (September 2023), exacerbating droughts and complicating events like the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Increased Frequency: Of France’s 50 recorded heatwaves since 1947, 33 occurred after 2000, driven by climate change. Record Temperatures: Recent years saw national records, e.g., 46°C in France (2019), 47.4°C in Spain (2021), and 40.3°C in Britain (2022). These trends are fueled by shifting atmospheric circulation patterns, reduced air pollution allowing more solar radiation, and Europe’s proximity to the rapidly warming Arctic.
    Africa’s Climate and Heatwave Potential
    Africa, like Europe, is experiencing the impacts of climate change, but its climate dynamics, geography, and socio-economic context create a different picture. While Africa’s summer (broadly December to February in the Southern Hemisphere, June to August in the Northern Hemisphere) does not mirror Europe’s heatwave patterns exactly, rising temperatures and extreme weather are increasingly evident. Here’s an analysis of whether Africa will face similar heatwave conditions:1.Warming Trends in AfricaAfrica is warming at a rate closer to the global average of 0.26°C per decade, slower than Europe’s 0.53°C. However, certain regions, particularly northern and eastern Africa, are seeing accelerated warming.
    The Copernicus Climate Change Service notes that parts of Africa, especially the Sahel and Horn of Africa, are experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves.
    For instance:
    Northern Africa: Countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia regularly experience temperatures above 40°C in summer, with peaks like 47°C in Morocco (2023). These conditions resemble southern Europe’s heatwaves. Eastern and Southern Africa: The 2024-25 summer saw drier-than-average conditions in southern Africa, exacerbating heat stress in countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Sahel Region: Prolonged heatwaves in Mali and Burkina Faso in 2024 led to temperatures exceeding 45°C, causing significant health impacts, though exact mortality figures are less documented than in Europe.
    Unlike Europe, Africa’s warming is uneven, with coastal areas moderated by ocean currents and inland regions, like the Sahara, facing extreme heat. The continent’s vast size and diverse climates mean heatwaves vary significantly by region.
    Heatwave Characteristics in
    Africa Africa’s heatwaves differ from Europe’s in scope and impact:
    Duration and Timing: African heatwaves are often shorter but can be intense, particularly in semi-arid regions. For example, the Sahel’s hot season (March-May) sees prolonged high temperatures, but summer months in sub-Saharan Africa are tempered by rainy seasons, unlike Europe’s dry, extended heatwaves.Geographic Spread: While Europe’s heatwaves have spread across the continent, Africa’s are more localized. Northern Africa and the Sahel face the most consistent heatwave risks, while southern Africa’s summer heat is often coupled with drought rather than sustained high temperatures.Health Impacts: Africa’s heatwave-related mortality is underreported due to limited data infrastructure. However, heat stress is a growing concern, particularly in urban areas with poor cooling access. Europe’s 2003 heatwave killed 70,000, but similar events in Africa, like the 2024 Sahel heatwave, likely caused significant deaths, though unquantified.
    Climate Change DriversClimate change amplifies heatwaves in both continents, but the drivers differ:
    • Europe: Reduced aerosol pollution, Arctic amplification, and shifting jet streams increase heatwave frequency and intensity. The western Mediterranean’s record sea surface temperatures (27°C in June 2025) exacerbate coastal heat.Africa: Changes in monsoon patterns, desertification in the Sahel, and El Niño/La Niña cycles influence heatwaves. For example, the 2024-25 El Niño contributed to drier, hotter conditions in southern Africa. Unlike Europe, air pollution in African urban centers can reduce solar radiation, slightly mitigating warming in some areas.
    Socio-Economic Context  Africa faces unique vulnerabilities that could make heatwaves more devastating than in Europe:
    • Infrastructure: Europe’s heatwave plans, like France’s, include early warning systems and cooling centers. Most African countries lack such systems, leaving populations exposed. Urban heat islands in cities like Lagos or Johannesburg worsen heat stress.Economic Constraints: Africa’s agricultural sector, critical for livelihoods, is highly sensitive to heat and drought. South Africa’s 2024-25 crop season benefited from good rainfall, but excessive heat in other regions, like eastern Africa, threatens food security.Health Systems: Europe’s ability to track and respond to heat-related deaths contrasts with Africa’s limited healthcare capacity, increasing the risk of unrecorded mortality during heatwaves.5.Future ProjectionsCopernicus projections suggest Africa’s heatwaves will intensify, particularly in northern and eastern regions. The C3S European Health Service dataset predicts more frequent hot spell days under various climate scenarios. By 2030, Africa could see heatwaves rivaling Europe’s in intensity, especially in the Sahel, where temperatures may regularly exceed 45°C. Southern Africa’s summer may face more drought-driven heat events, though less extreme than Europe’s 2025 record of 48°C feels-like temperatures in Portuga
    Comparison: Will Africa Mirror Europe?
    • Similarities: Both continents face more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. Northern Africa’s summer temperatures already rival southern Europe’s, and urban areas in both regions suffer from heat stress.
    • Differences: Europe’s heatwaves are more widespread and prolonged, driven by Arctic amplification and reduced pollution. Africa’s heatwaves are more localized, often tied to seasonal patterns like the Sahel’s hot season or southern Africa’s dry spells. Africa’s rainy seasons can mitigate summer heat in some regions, unlike Europe’s dry summer peaks.
    • Likelihood: Africa’s summer will not replicate Europe’s 2025 heatwaves in scope or intensity soon, but northern and Sahel regions are trending toward similar extremes. Southern Africa’s summer heat is more likely to be coupled with drought, impacting agriculture rather than causing Europe-style heatwaves.
    Africa’s summer weather will not fully mirror Europe’s intense, widespread heatwaves as seen in 2025, but the continent is not immune to escalating heat risks. Northern Africa and the Sahel already experience extreme temperatures akin to southern Europe, while southern Africa faces heat compounded by drought. Climate change is driving more frequent and severe heat events across both continents, but Africa’s diverse climates and limited adaptive infrastructure create unique challenges. Without robust heatwave plans like those in Europe, Africa’s vulnerability to heat stress could lead to significant, underreported impacts. Urgent investment in early warning systems, urban cooling, and agricultural resilience is critical to mitigate future heatwave risks in Africa’s summer months.

  • VIEWPOINT- The immense challenges faced by farmers and their families and their HEALTH

    Theimmensechallengesfacedbyfarmersandtheirfamilies,particularlyinruralareas,andraisesimportantpointsabouttheirhealth,stress,andaccesstocare- 

  • OVERVIEW GLOBAL ORANGE MARKET

     
    The Northern Hemisphere is taking over the orange season from the Southern Hemisphere. While the last oranges from South Africa are sold in Europe, the supply from the Mediterranean countries is getting under way.

  • South Africa’s best cars, SUVs and bakkies – ranked by affordability

    A panel of expert judges has put a fleet of 39 vehicles under scrutiny as part of the testing phase for the fourth annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards powered by WesBank.

  • South Africa: USDA forecasts rise in pome fruit, grape production in 2018-19

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has forecast increases in South African production of apples, pears and table grapes in 2018-19, thanks in part to greater water availability.

  • ??????? ??? ????????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ????

    Inrecentyears,aseismicshifthasbeenunfoldingintheworldofagriculture,andifyou’vebeenpayingattention,you’velikelynoticedthebuzzaroundAgritech.

  • WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- Eskom -.Transnet appears to be making significant progress

    Since June 2024, the survival of South Africa’s national government coalition has hinged on whether voters perceive tangible improvements in their lives, and recent evidence suggests progress in several key areas, often driven by the ANC abandoning long-held ideological positions. Load shedding has vanished, Eskom has introduced a coherent plan to manage load reduction, and Transnet is markedly improving rail services for mining, with Kumba Iron Ore reporting a 7% sales increase on October 29, 2025, due to better rail performance. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy is inviting private sector involvement in railways, including rapid inter-city links, while Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has launched a process to recognise private universities able to award full degrees, easing pressure on public institutions.
    Gauteng’s driving licence centres have transformed from nightmares to highly rated services, the South African Revenue Service collected more tax than expected in the first half of the fiscal year, and the police and National Prosecuting Authority are showing signs of reform, with figures like Ace Magashule facing charges and dangerous criminals jailed.Yet for millions, especially the poor, these gains feel distant: no load shedding means little when electricity is unaffordable, and improved mining rail transport does not help those who left school early. Still, the structural reforms in electricity and transport should eventually spur investment and growth, though companies currently appear to be hoarding capital rather than expanding.Crucially, the ANC is now implementing changes it once fiercely resisted. It has opened electricity generation and sales to the private sector, invited private rail partnerships, and enabled private universities—shifts led by ANC and even SACP ministers like Creecy and Manamela.
    Eleven years ago, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi opposed private medical training to prevent only the rich becoming doctors; today, ideology has yielded to necessity. Having failed through state-centric policies and cadre deployment, the ANC faces voter pressure and coalition realities that leave no alternative but pragmatic reform and greater private involvement.This ideological flexibility may foster better policy, enhance democratic accountability, and ease long-term coalition cooperation, as the ANC proves it must deliver real improvements to survive electorally.


    VIEWPOINT-South Africa’s Water Control Measures: A Threat to Food Security?
    The GNU’s survival now rests onperception, not promises—and for once, the ANC is deliveringresults by dismantling its own sacred cows. Ending load shedding, fixing rail for miners, opening universities to private degrees, and turning licence centres from hell to 4.5-star service aretangible wins that even the most cynical voter can feel. When Kumba Iron Ore logs a 7% sales jump becausetrains actually move, that’s not spin; that’s steel on tracks.But let’s not pop champagne in Sandton while Soweto still counts coins for electricity. The poor see no load shedding yet pay more per unit than ever. A faster coal train doesn’t buy bread for a 14-year-old dropout.
    These reforms are real, but they’re elite-adjacent—they fix systems for those already in the game, not the millions locked out.Thereal story is the ANC eating its ideology alive. The same party that once screamed “privatisation is betrayal” now begs the private sector to run rails, generate power, and teach doctors. Blade Nzimande must be choking on his red beret watching SACP comrade Manamela green-light private universities. Aaron Motsoaledi, who blocked private medical schools to “stop rich kids becoming doctors,” now presides over a health system begging private hospitals to train more medics—becausestate failure left no choice.This isn’t conversion; it’ssurvival. The ANC finally grasped that voters don’t eat manifestos. Coalition politics stripped away the luxury of dogma. When your majority is gone,results trump rhetoric.The danger?Reform theatre.
    If private rail slots go to connected tenders, if private universities become diploma mills for the rich, if tax windfalls fund cadres not classrooms—the GNU dies not from opposition, but frombetraying its own pragmatism.The opportunity? Acompetitive democracy where parties govern bydelivery, not ideology. Where the ANC mustout-perform the DA, not out-slogan it. Where “mixed economy” stops being code for state capture and becomes actual partnership.Verdict:
    The GNU is passing thedelivery test—barely, and only in pockets. But the ANC’s ideological U-turn is the silent earthquake. If it holds, South Africa might just stumble into a future wherepolicy serves people, not party ghosts.
    Want to join our popular weekly viewpoint? Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.! You can make your own Viewpoint. - Our Professional civilized approach to your option is respected.
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  • The Endangered Wildlife Trust releases integrated report for 2017/2018

    The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has released its 2017/2018 integrated report which, for the first time, is supplemented by additional digital content about the organisation’s work. CEO Yolan Friedmann has penned an insightful opener, addressing the issues surrounding illegal wildlife trade.

  • Sorghum: Africa’s untapped commercial agricultural potential

    SORGhUM has a lot going for it. It’s climate-smart, highly nutritious and we already know how to grow it.

  • History Of Biltong

    Biltong is a variety of dried, cured meat that originated in Southern Africa. Various types of meat are used to produce it, ranging from beef and game meats to fillets of ostrich from commercial farms.

  • VIEWPOINT- The South African government must carefully control the water out of the overflow dams.

    AsrecentheavyrainspushkeyreservoirsliketheVaalDamto105%capacityandtheBloemhofDamto99%,agriculturalstakeholdersareissuingastarkwarningtotheDepartmentofWaterandSanitation(DWS):controlledwaterreleasesfromoverflowingdamsmustprioritizeprecisionandfarmerinputtoavertthecatastrophiclossesinflictedonruralcommunitiesearlierthisyear.

  • VIEWPOINT- South Africa goat market

    South Africa leads the world in mohair production, supplying about 75% of premium Angora goat fibre, yet the goat meat and dairy sectors remain largely underdeveloped and informal. The Department of Agriculture recently presented plans to Parliament for commercialisation, including a breeding centre for improved genetics, fixed/mobile slaughter and processing facilities, a meat classification system, and a cold chain in partnership with producers and retailers—though no timelines were given.Official estimates put the national goat herd at ~7.8 million, but experts like Rauri Alcock of the Goat Agribusiness Project suggest over 6 million are in undocumented communal systems, making the industry far larger than recorded.
    South Africa holds 56% of SADC goat stocks but <3% of Africa's due to underreporting; data is outdated and inconsistent.
    The value chain is predominantly informal: live goats and meat are sold cash at taxi ranks or homes, with only ~0.05% reaching formal abattoirs. High demand for live goats (used in ceremonies, especially in KwaZulu-Natal with ~2 million annually and 34% of goat-owning households) drives imports of ~150,000 animals yearly, mainly from Namibia. Goat meat fetches ~40% more per kg than mutton.Previous commercialisation projects (Umzimbuvu, Kgalagadi Dipudi, Kalahari Kid) have failed. Critics note government focuses on large-scale initiatives, overlooking rural "emerging" farmers who don't fit commercial definitions for tenders. Formalising the sector could unlock significant economic potential in rural areas.
    VIEWPOINT- Reconciliation Day in South Africa 2025
    South Africa boasts a diverse goat farming sector, leading globally inmohair production (about 75% of premium supply from Angora goats) while meat and dairy remain largely informal and underdeveloped. The national herd is estimated at ~7.8 million heads, with over 6 million in undocumented communal systems (primarily rural Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo) and ~1.8 million commercial.Commercial breeds dominate structured farming: Boer (top meat breed), Kalahari Red, Savanna (hardy, adaptable meat goats), and Angora (mohair).
    Indigenous veld goats (~65–70% of total) thrive in extensive communal systems, valued for resilience, cultural ceremonies (e.g., ~2 million used annually in KZN), and low-input needs.Production focuses on meat (high informal demand; goat ~40% pricier than mutton), with only ~0.05% slaughtered formally. Annual slaughter ~3 million (mostly informal); imports ~150,000 live goats/year (mainly Namibia) fill gaps. Mohair is processed in Gqeberha for export.
    Challenges include outdated/underreported stats, failed commercialisation projects, disease risks, theft, and government focus on large-scale initiatives overlooking rural "emerging" farmers ineligible for tenders.Opportunities lie in formalising the value chain (breeding centres, processing, classification proposed by Department of Agriculture), cultural/live animal demand, exports (genetics/meat), and niche dairy. Informal sales (cash at taxi ranks/homes) show untapped economic potential for rural livelihoods.The sector blends tradition with commercial potential, supporting food security and rural economies.
    Despite hurdles, goat farming remains a vital, adaptable enterprise supporting food security and rural economies, with cultural significance adding unique demand strength. Many farmers thrive through resilience and informal networks.
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