Octavia Avesca Spandiel
Octavia Avesca Spandiel is a multimedia journalism honours graduate from Stellenbosch University. She is based in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, and her passion is to focus attention on the unsung heroes in agriculture. She has a rich background in youth work and loves connecting with people, combining her skills and interests to make a meaningful impact in her field.
Latest articles
Eastern Cape emerging farmers urged to apply for 2027/28 support
Emerging farmers in the Eastern Cape have until 30 October 2026 to apply for support through the provincial Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Support Programme for the 2027/28 financial year.
Eastern Cape agri show promotes knowledge sharing and business growth
Farmers from across the Joe Gqabi District Municipality in the Eastern Cape gathered at an agricultural show in Tlokoeng on 13 October to showcase their farming enterprises, exchange knowledge, and explore opportunities to grow their businesses.
Call for banks to ease lending restrictions for emerging farmers
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on commercial banks to ease lending restrictions for emerging farmers, saying access to finance is essential to expanding black people’s participation in commercial agriculture.
Rising costs and dry weather threaten SA’s wheat harvest
South Africa’s wheat harvest is expected to fall to its lowest level in eight years in the 2026/27 season, as rising input costs and dry conditions in the Western Cape put pressure on farmers, despite an anticipated increase in overall winter crop production.
Predation management: a vital herd-building tool for emerging farmers
For new-era (emerging) farmers, protecting young livestock is not only about reducing losses; it is an important part of building stronger herds, retaining replacement animals, and forging a pathway towards commercial farming.
Early weed control lays the foundation for summer crop yields
Theunis Meiring, area sales manager at Syngenta, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the importance of early weed control in summer crops. Meiring explains why the period before and immediately after crop emergence is critical for protecting yield potential, and discusses application timing, herbicide resistance, seedbed preparation, and integrated weed-management strategies.
Aucamp commits to disaster area classification for Gamtoos Valley
Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp has committed his department to pursuing the classification of the Gamtoos Valley in the Eastern Cape as a disaster area, following a meeting with farmers and local authorities in Humansdorp and Patensie.
Royal Show marks 175 years with a celebration
Experience agricultural excellence at the Royal Show from 7 to 11 October at its new Howick venue, where you can explore livestock, modern farming technology, and delicious food exhibits.
Eastern Cape pushes household food production through Ilima Lokulima
The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture is stepping up efforts to tackle food insecurity by encouraging communities to produce their own food through the province’s Ilima Lokulima (“Let's cultivate together”) programme.
Aquaponics offers a practical solution for farming with less water
Dr Ntobeko Mchunu, a researcher in the Agronomy Division at the Agricultural Research Council, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how aquaponics is helping farmers produce more food while using significantly less water.
SASTA congress looks at new ways to unlock value from sugar cane
Research that delivers practical solutions, closer collaboration across the sugar value chain, and finding new ways to extract value from sugar cane were among the key themes at the recent 98th South African Sugar Technologists’ Association (SASTA) Congress in Durban.
South African citrus gains new cold-treatment option for India market
South African citrus exporters have gained greater flexibility in accessing the Indian market following India’s approval of in-transit cold treatment for fresh citrus from South Africa.
Reframing sweetness in SA’s agricultural economy
Priya Seetal, sugar and health policy manager at the South African Sugar Association (SASA), spoke with Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the complex intersection between public health policy and the sustainability of South Africa’s sugar industry.
Intensive lambing systems help unlock genetic potential
Eastern Cape livestock farmer Stefan Erasmus spoke with Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the advantages, challenges, and economics of intensive and extensive lambing systems and their role in improving flock productivity.
A farmer’s lessons on canola, survival and success
Koos Blanckenberg told Octavia Avesca Spandiel that canola has become essential in improving soil health, controlling ryegrass and strengthening crop rotation systems as grain producers navigate rising costs and climate uncertainty.
Quarterly agricultural employment dips despite year-on-year growth
South Africa’s agriculture sector shed 16 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2026 but remained 4,3% above the level seen a year earlier. Economists say the quarterly decline reflects the sector’s seasonal nature, but warn that weak profitability could put pressure on future employment.
Beauty Mokgwamme: leading with purpose, growing with passion
Mohair Empowerment Trust manager Beauty Mokgwamme spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to empowering emerging farmers to become commercially viable, thereby transforming lives through agriculture.
Significance of soil mapping in productive vineyards
Soil mapping and professional surveys have a vital role to play in the establishment of vineyards. The agriculture industry in South Africa has continued to embrace and implement this critical fundamental step in farm planning.
Agriculture’s resilience relies on collaboration, practical leadership
Stronger collaboration between organised agriculture, government, and industry stakeholders is essential to building a more resilient agriculture sector, industry leaders said during a panel discussion at the Agri EC Congress 2026, held in Jeffreys Bay from 5 to 6 August.
Premier’s Tulbagh factory closure puts canning fruit value chain at risk
Growers, processors, and industry leaders have warned that Premier Group’s closure of its Fruit Products Western Cape processing facility in Tulbagh could threaten thousands of jobs, disrupt fruit supply chains, and undermine the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry.
