Opinion

Shows can be a daunting prospect for newcomers to the showing world. While they offer an ideal opportunity for their animals to be evaluated by professionals in the industry, having their animals formally judged can be nerve-racking. Willemien Pieterse, a show judge and independent cattle inspector, spoke to Janine Ryan about what she looks for when judging cattle in the show ring.

From opening new global markets and modernising agricultural regulation to strengthening biosecurity and farmer support, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen reflects on a pivotal year for South African agriculture.

Cedara College of Agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal, a training institute and research station, was established in 1905 on 1 542ha of land bought by the then-Natal government.

Honey adulteration has become one of the most widespread food-fraud problems globally – and South Africa is far from immune. Prof Robin Crewe and Jan Steenkamp spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this growing threat to consumers, beekeepers, and the future of the honey industry.

No mine can afford poor mobile signal underground. When communication stops, operations slow, safety risks rise, and productivity drops.

Farming group ZZ2 has embraced technology to streamline farming practices and systems to maximise efficiency. Martin Jansen, chief information officer at ZZ2, shares the company’s approach to technological innovation, offering advice on how businesses can implement their own successful strategies.

Weak mobile reception isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a silent barrier that slows productivity, disrupts business, and disconnects people from the world they rely on. Behind every strong and reliable signal lies a single, often underestimated component: the antenna.

Broll Auctions and Sales focuses on auctions and private treaty sales of real estate across South Africa, with expertise in commercial and industrial properties, retail and mixed-use developments, farms and agricultural estates, and more.

Experiencing your first livestock auction can be intimidating. The energy is high and the auctioneer’s chant can be confusing. Auctioneers Vincent Pike and Jan Mostert share tips on reading catalogues and understanding key terms to help you bid confidently.

Zimbabwean farmer Dan Burger is involved in 13 joint farming ventures with beneficiaries of that country's land reform programme, an initiative the government is championing to address the underutilisation of expropriated farms.

Lucia Zinzi Ndlala’s path into agriculture began as a quiet childhood curiosity in her Kamhlushwa garden, watching her mother plant, tend, and harvest. That early spark grew into a career rooted in science, meaningful impact, and dedicated mentorship.

Raised in the village of Shimawusa in Giyani, Limpopo, Dr Tlangelani Baloyi’s passion for agriculture began beside his mother in the local irrigation scheme. What started as a chore became a lifelong drive to help strengthen South Africa’s food security.

Edwin Muturi, who holds a BSc in agribusiness management from the University of Nairobi in Kenya, is questioning why some agriculture graduates in Africa don’t pursue farmwork.

Reggie Mchunu’s roots run deep in the farming soils of Tugela Ferry, a rural community near Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal. Raised by a single mother who sold crops to support his education, Mchunu’s first lessons in agriculture were personal and profound.

Poor cell phone signal translates directly into lost productivity, compromised safety, and reduced revenue. At WaveBoosters, we deliver professional-grade 2G, 3G, LTE 4G, and 5G cell phone signal boosters that resolve connectivity issues immediately and permanently.

Nonduduzo Adelaide Simelane and her siblings grew up helping their grandmother tend maize and bean fields in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, and now she is studying towards a PhD in plant science at the University of Pretoria, reflecting her perseverance, passion, and purpose.

Stacey Fisher never imagined she’d find herself in agriculture let alone completing a PhD in plant biotechnology, but everything changed when she joined the Plant Omics Laboratory at the University of the Western Cape.

During her academic journey, Meryl Awkes, now a Standard Bank business centre head, pivoted from chemistry to agriculture thanks to the Maize Trust Bursary Scheme and has since built a career that feeds people and the economy.

In Limpopo, about 30km from the mining town of Marble Hall and surrounded by citrus orchards, fertile farmland, and maize plantings, lies the Tompi Seleka College of Agriculture, South Africa’s northernmost agricultural training institution.

If there were any doubts about South African farmers’ optimism for the 2025/26 summer crop plantings, strong tractor sales should provide reassurance.