Grootfontein College of Agriculture: shaping future agri-entrepreneurs
In this first article in Farmer’s Weekly’s series on agricultural training institutions in South Africa, we look at Grootfontein College of Agriculture. This Eastern Cape institution has a strong focus...
South Africa’s rural areas can be developed through agriculture
On 6 August, I delivered the 11th Annual Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Lecture at the University of Limpopo. The theme was the role of agriculture in improving rural development.
Memories of mountain streams
It was vivid childhood memories of fishing the streams of Barkly East that lured Mike Burgess back to spend three glorious years in these dramatic highlands of the Eastern Cape.
Focus on SA trade, but don’t forget biosecurity challenges
Those in government will have to carefully allocate their resources and time, given the many urgent matters that currently demand their attention.
Tapping into the Saalboomspruit’s ‘golden bounty’
Mike Burgess has fished the Saalboomspruit in the Eastern Cape’s Barkly East district for almost four decades. He shares how he has never been disappointed with the exceptional indigenous yellowfish...
Time to start widespread vaccination against FMD in SA’s livestock?
For some time, the South African livestock industry has been struggling with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which presents enormous costs to farmers and agribusinesses. As the disease persists, the country's ambitions...
The Boerboel: a proudly South African dog breed
The Boerboel is a South African-developed mastiff breed popular with farmers and families for its calm and protective nature. The Boerboel is a powerful mastiff-type dog breed developed in South...
Fake news lurks in agri, but it can be stopped
At the Africa Agri Tech 2025 conference held in Pretoria in March, Alan Hardacre, co-founder of Advocacy Academy, spoke about how disinformation campaigns wreak havoc on agribusinesses. He highlighted the...
Extensive nationwide audit paints a real picture of land reform in SA
Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions, recently released a report to set the record straight about land reform in South Africa. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the results.
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...
The importance of livestock for sustainable agriculture
While conservationists often say that livestock are detrimental to the environment, research has shown that regenerative agriculture really only succeeds when livestock are utilised.
A judicial duel in the name of ‘just and equitable compensation’
In the Moloto case, the Land Court had to consider factors like market value and the current use of the property on which a land claim had been lodged.
