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.
Eastern Cape targets global growth with natural ingredient exports
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation, in partnership with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme, earlier this week launched the Eastern Cape Natural Ingredients Export Promotion Strategy.
Mohair wins: practical tips from an Eastern Cape emerging farmer
Dintle Maphala has been farming Angora goats for the past nine years. Her hands-on approach, from breeding and grazing to mohair handling and marketing, offers a practical roadmap that emerging producers can adapt to improve their own production outcomes. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.
Mohair trust honours Women’s Month with knitting workshop graduation
The Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET) marked this year’s Women’s Month with a special graduation ceremony on 21 August, celebrating 14 women from Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville, and Aberdeen who successfully completed the trust’s Beginners Knitting Workshop.
Making a mark on agriculture through education
As we celebrate Women’s Month, Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya about her remarkable journey from a home economics teacher to a globally recognised leader in agricultural extension, and the broader agri-food systems. Through resilience, purpose, and a deep belief in people, Ngwenya continues to open doors for women in agriculture.
Rabbit farming on the rise in South Africa
Rabbit farming is gaining traction in South Africa. Farmer Daisy Moleko spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the breeds, biosecurity, and market access opportunities driving growth in this niche livestock sector.
Top mohair farmers honoured at 2025 Miyuki Awards
South Africa’s top mohair farmers were celebrated at the 2025 Miyuki Awards, hosted by Mohair South Africa (MSA) in partnership with Japanese high-quality textile maker Miyuki Keori, on Thursday at Remo’s Italian Restaurant in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
A drought-proofing how-to for South African farmers
As droughts become more frequent and severe across South Africa, farmers are under increasing pressure to adapt their practices to protect their livelihoods.
André Kritzinger named Agri Eastern Cape Toyota Young Farmer of the Year 2025
Joubertina-based farmer André Kritzinger (28) was named Agri Eastern Cape Toyota Young Farmer of the Year 2025 during a celebratory awards dinner at Mentors Country Estate in Jeffreys Bay on Wednesday.
Sterkstroom business gets R5 million abattoir to boost jobs
In early August, Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture Nonceba Kontsiwe officially handed over a fully equipped rural abattoir valued at over R5 million to local business Man Buy & Braai in Sterkstroom.
Navigating the legal landscape for emerging poultry farmers
Emerging poultry farmers face a host of legal, environmental, and practical challenges. Poultry nutritionist Dr Sipokazi Nyeleka spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the complexities of starting and running a compliant and sustainable poultry enterprise.
Stock theft remains a major challenge for farmers across SA
Stock theft continues to affect farmers across South Africa, and law enforcement and agricultural leaders are calling for a stronger commitment to tackle this persistent issue.
Women-owned farming enterprise lauded for boosting jobs, food security
Pula Nala, a 100% African women-owned and youth-majority-led agricultural enterprise, received top honours at the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture’s (DoA) Women Entrepreneur Awards held in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in late July.
‘SA must act fast to shield red meat industry from FMD’ – Steenhuisen
The South African livestock industry is facing a growing crisis as new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continue to spread across several provinces.
Grain and oilseeds workshop sets stage for production schemes
Key stakeholders in South Africa’s grain and oilseeds industry gathered earlier this week at AFGRI’s head office in Pretoria, Gauteng, for the Grain and Oilseeds Transformation Workshop.
Upcoming indaba to focus on national foot-and-mouth disease strategy
As outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continue to threaten South Africa’s livestock industry, the Department of Agriculture (DoA), in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), University of Pretoria, and Onderstepoort Biological Products, will host a high-level national FMD Indaba from 21 to 22 July 2025.
Growing cannabis legally: What farmers need to know?
South Africa’s cannabis industry faces regulatory challenges, with medical cannabis and industrial hemp as the only legal cultivation routes. Trenton Birch, co-founder and CEO of Cheeba Africa, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about these complexities and the barriers to market entry.
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Netafim marks 60 years of precision irrigation and innovation globally
As Netafim celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the global leader in precision irrigation is marking decades of innovation, transformation, and impact across Southern and East Africa.
Emerging mohair producers gain key skills in Middelburg
A hands-on training programme held at Grootfontein College of Agriculture in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, from 7 to 11 July 2025 brought together nearly 30 participants that included mohair producers, farmworkers, and agricultural learners from across the country.
Biotech to play pivotal role in future of SA crop production
Biotechnology is set to transform South African crop production over the next two decades. Chantel Arendse, plant biotechnology lead at CropLife South Africa, unpacks how genome editing, drought-tolerant traits, and regulatory reform can help farmers boost yields, improve sustainability, and remain competitive.
An inside look at South Africa’s meat safety standards
South Africa’s Meat Safety Act sets strict regulations to ensure meat quality and protect consumers, covering every stage of the food value chain. Dr Gerhard Neethling, general manager of the Red Meat Abattoir Association, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about inspections, traceability, and industry compliance.
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