Siyanda Sishuba
Siyanda Sishuba has a degree in broadcast journalism. She graduated in 2010 at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. She is passionate about the environment and agriculture.
Siyanda grew up in Whittlesea and has seen how climate change and invasive species are affecting farmers in her community.
She’s worked at the Weekend Post, a local newspaper in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. Thereafter she landed herself a job at Debt Management Consultants in East London, writing articles for company’s newsletter. She then moved to Johannesburg to work for the Department of Environmental Affairs Biosecurity Advocacy Unit
Moody’s downgrade won’t affect restructure, says Land Bank
Farmers who will require financing from the Land and Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) in the near future will continue to encounter difficulties in accessing such funding due to the bank’s current long-standing liquidity challenges.
Stokvel concept offers hope to young farmers
Brought together through necessity by severe and ongoing drought, a group of farmers from Kuruman, Northern Cape, established an unusual stokvel in 2016 to assist each other with the sharing of resources. Thapelo Kgopodithate, the founder of the Makawana Farmers’ Stokvel initiative, spoke to Siyanda Sishuba about the group’s achievements.
Belgian racing pigeon sells for record price of R29 million
A two-year-old Belgian racing pigeon named New Kim has fetched a record price of €1,6 million (about R29,2 million) during an online auction held by racing pigeon auction house PIPA Elite Center from 2 to 15 November.
South African blueberry shipment seized in the Netherlands
The South African berry producers’ association, Berries ZA, will have to conduct an investigation after a shipment of South African blueberries was seized in the Netherlands in the week of 26 October, according to Elzette Schutte, the association’s manager.
Record potato prices in October bring respite for farmers
Potato prices across all classes and markets reached record levels of more than R80 for a 10kg bag in October, surpassing the previous record set in 2016 of R63/10kg bag, according to Dr Andre Jooste, CEO of Potatoes South Africa.
Self-taught worm farmer recycles waste into compost
Using earthworms to recycle food waste into compost is not only profitable, but helps to address the increasing problem of food waste. Worm farmer Thato Lekonyane spoke to Siyanda Sishuba about his enterprise.
Man due in Senekal court for public violence during protest
The man who was arrested following the protest action outside the Senekal Magistrate’s Court earlier this week, will appear in the same court on Friday, 9 October on a charge of public violence and malicious damage to property.
‘Violent protest in Senekal the result of frustration’
The case of the two suspects who appeared in the Senekal Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Free State farm manager Brendin Horner, has been postponed to 16 October when their bail application will be heard, according to Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, spokesperson for the South African Police Service in the Free State.
Management shuffle at Agri SA ‘will address SA’s agri risks’
South Africa’s largest commercial farmers’ organisation, Agri SA, has announced changes to its executive leadership, which will see Christo van der Rheede, deputy executive director at Agri SA, replace Omri van Zyl as the new executive director, while Van Zyl will take up the role of CEO for the budding business unit, Agri SA Enterprises.
Grain research project to unlock SA plant breeding capacity
The Grain Research Programme has been established to directly engage with grain stakeholders in an attempt to initiate research that will support the sector by identifying future challenges and exploring solutions, including extension and disease/pest diagnostic services.
More ‘extreme’ weather expected for SA before summer
Livestock farmers have been warned to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their animals, as the windy and cold weather conditions currently being experienced across most parts of country are expected to persist for the rest of the week.
‘Chickens come home to roost’ for Land Bank
Farmers who will require financing from the Land Bank in the near future will encounter difficulties in accessing such funding due to the bank’s current liquidity challenges.
Sound animal health ensures success for top emerging beef farmers
Piet Phahlane and Aaron Makena, the Agriculture Research Council National Emerging Beef Farmers of the Year 2019 winners, say one of the most valuable lessons they have learnt as farmers is the importance of applying good animal health management principles. Siyanda Sishuba visited them on their farm in Rust de Winter, Limpopo.
How NERPO is adapting to a changing livestock sector
Changes in the livestock business environment have motivated the National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (NERPO) to review its strategy and improve services to its members. NERPO managing director Aggrey Mahanjana spoke to Siyanda Sishuba about future plans.
Negative outlook for agri employment, despite good harvests
The positive performance of the agriculture industry in South Africa, as indicated by current economic data, should persist throughout 2020.
High-capacity balers from Norway
Orkel Dens-X Compactor stationary bale makers were launched in South Africa in January. The event took place at meat value chain company Kameeldrift Voere, based in Cullinan, Gauteng.
Sharp increase in SA fertiliser prices due to weak rand
Grain farmers need to prepare to pay even more for fertiliser when the new planting season gets underway due to the weaker rand which has seen the local price of some fertilisers increase by over 20% in April on a year-on-year basis.
Equipping young leaders in agriculture to lead
The Syngenta Leadership Academy is aimed at empowering a new generation of leaders in agriculture. Siyanda Sishuba spoke to three alumni of the programme about their experience and the lessons they have learnt.
‘No justification for vegetable pricing structure in SA’
Some South African fresh produce farmers are opting to plough their produce back into the ground rather than sending it to national fresh produce markets due to the low prices they are receiving, according to vegetable farmer Eric Mauwane of Oneo Farms near Tarlton in Gauteng.
Agribusinesses respond to impact of cancelled shows
A number of the largest agricultural events in South Africa have been cancelled or postponed this year due to restrictions that have been placed on local and international travel and gatherings of large groups of people as part of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown regulations.
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