Sabrina Dean
Multimedia journalist active in print, radio and online platforms.
Reviving indigenous crops to support farmers and improve nutrition
Siphiwe Sithole is on a mission to establish a culture of food abundance. She spoke to Sabrina Dean about her business, African Marmalade, and how it harnesses the potential of indigenous products grown by smallholder farmers.
The unmatched hybrid vigour of the Boran
Known as the mother cow of Africa, the Boran has been developed over more than 1 000 years to provide modern farmers with a hardy, cost-effective animal. Sabrina Dean spoke to Gerrit Potgieter from Komga in the Eastern Cape, a council member of the Boran Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa who oversees the society’s marketing portfolio, to find out more about the breed.
South African goat breeds raise the bar for global meat quality
Chantelle Smit, secretary of the SA Boer Goat Breeders’ Association, spoke to Sabrina Dean about what sets South Africa’s Boer, Savanna, and Kalahari Red goats apart from their global counterparts.
Top genetics and passion drive success at goat stud
Christiaan Labuschagne established the Hakuna Matata Stud in Hoopstad, Free State, in 2024 and currently farms Boer and Savanna goats. In a short space of time, the stud has achieved numerous accolades due to Labuschagne’s investment in top genetics.
Improving goat herds through better selection
Christiaan Labuschagne, owner of the Hakuna Matata Stud, says South Africa’s Boer goats are in high demand because stud owners have strict selection criteria and the South African Boer Goat Breeders’ Association’s enforces high standards.
SA Boerperd: a breed tempered by Africa, for Africa
A five-star rating system being implemented by Erica Stud is taking the SA Boerperd into the future. George Nefdt, owner of the stud in KwaZulu-Natal, tells Sabrina Dean why he believes the breed to be the perfect companion or competition horse.
Angry Free State community block R708 in protest over road conditions
Farmers and taxi operators in a small Free State town have teamed up to close a road in protest following years of frustrated efforts to address the critical state of the R708 between Clocolan and Marquard.
Agri budget to boost local development needs, growth opportunities
The R7,6 billion agriculture budget tabled to the National Assembly on Tuesday highlighted progress made in the Department of Agriculture's (DoA) first year of autonomy following a restructuring that saw it separated from the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development.
Breeding top racehorses
The world reflected through the eye of a horse is at the centre of the ethos of a boutique racehorse stud set in the Breede Valley in the Western Cape. Sabrina Dean spoke to John Köster to find out how Klawervlei Stud has added value to the Thoroughbred studbook over the years.
Free State Young Farmers Committee vice-chair is raising the bar
A young Brangus stud breeder in the Free State is on a mission to open doors for other young farmers. Danielle de Kock shares her story with Farmer’s Weekly, including her work as a farmer, and the challenges and opportunities faced by young farmers.
Ostrich feed production shows ‘remarkable’ year-on-year increase
Ostrich feed production was up by more than 700t compared to the same time last year, representing a year-on-year (y/y) increase of 128,5%. This was according to the latest Animal Feed Manufacturers’ Association (Afma) monthly report, which provided y/y analysis for February 2025, as well as detailing month-on-month (m/m) movements.
Young farmers take communal lands to commercial status
Farming has been a lifelong ambition for 34-year-old Siphe Singasezulu Joyi from Baziya village near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the unique community model that has given him and his brother access to land to grow their business Jay Jay Farming into a commercial operation.
Calls for KZN to be declared disaster area as FMD continues to bite
Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal are facing dire economic straits as the disease management areas remain in effect and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues seemingly unabated.
Plastic pollution in the spotlight as world celebrates environment day
On World Environment Day 2025, plastic pollution is taking centre stage. The drive to end plastic pollution is under the spotlight today as the world commemorates World Environment Day 2025, with international celebrations being hosted by the Republic of Korea under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.
Ramaphosa, Trump talk trade and investment as AGOA uncertainty grows
South Africa will prioritise the interests of the African continent in its trade talks with the US, President Cyril Ramaphosa said following a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Nampo 2025 sets new record with over 87 000 visitors
A record-breaking 87 191 visitors attended the 57th annual Nampo Harvest Day at Nampo Park near Bothaville, Free State from 13 to 16 May, Grain SA announced on Monday.
Fruit farmers relieved as Tiger Brands sells canning factory for R1
There was a sense of relief and excitement among fruit farmers and communities surrounding Ashton in the Western Cape as food giant Tiger Brands announced it would sell its canning business to local producers for R1.
China bans meat imports from SA as new FMD cases are confirmed
Two new cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, which has led to China banning meat imports from South Africa.
Machinery and tractor brands finalise mega displays at Nampo
Machinery and tractor exhibits that had been in the planning for nearly a year were getting their final spit and polish this week as mega exhibitors prepared for the gates to open at Nampo Harvest Day on Tuesday, 13 May.
Plan your route to Nampo 2025 with these updates
Preparations are in full swing for this year’s Nampo Harvest Day, taking place at Nampo Park just outside Bothaville, Free State, from 13 to 16 May. Organisers have released a detailed route advisory for visitors travelling to Nampo Park.
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