Ugandan Women Work in the Middle East Even Though They Face Abuse. They Told Us Why
The power dynamics of labour migration to the Middle East are complex.
agriculture
Urgent Petition Submitted Regarding Land Bank Crisis
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) today submitted a formal petition to the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and the relevant select committees regarding the controversial debt collection practices of the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank). Kobus van den Berg, Freedom Front Plus MP and member of […]
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China Is Funding African Farmers but Not Food Processing and Storage: Why It’s a Problem
Chinese lenders have invested billions in African agriculture. But new research shows the money often misses what’s needed to modernise the sector.
Will El Niño Drought Hit Food Prices in South Africa?
Previous rains and grain stocks could reduce the impact of the expected drought.
A Super El Niño Is Coming: 5 Hard-Won Lessons the World Can Learn From Africa
A powerful Super El Niño is looming. Africa has learned hard lessons from past climate disasters that could help the world prepare.
Kenyans Living in Towns Are Farmers Too: What This Means for Rural Landscapes
The increasing control of rural agricultural land by urban residents has implications for rural people and spaces.
Morocco’s Hidden History: Archaeology, DNA and Carbon Dating Rewrite the Story of the Ancient World
New research shows northwest African communities actively shaped connections and exchange between many cultures.
Fossil Fuels Still Dominate in Africa’s Electricity Future – Study Tracks 3,139 Power Plants
Africa is rapidly expanding electricity generation, but new research shows energy planning must also account for water scarcity and carbon dioxide emissions.
New Minister of Agriculture: Freedom Front Plus Keen for Results
The news that the former DA leader, Mr John Steenhuisen, would be replaced as Minister of Agriculture did not come as a surprise. The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) wishes his successor, Mr Willie Aucamp, all the best. Steenhuisen failed to successfully contain foot-and-mouth disease and to top it all his inner circle’s insensitive communication […]
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Great Zimbabwe: Debunking the Myth of Tyrants and Forced Labour
New research indicates that collective forms of governance were more likely.
Gauteng’s Agricultural Potential Underutilised
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) emphasised in the debate on the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s 2026/27 budget that the province’s agricultural potential is underutilised. Although Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa, it remains the economic heartbeat of the country. That is precisely why every hectare of productive agricultural land […]
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Investigation Demanded Into “Just for Some Amusement” E-Mail Concerning Foot-And-Mouth Disease
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) demands an investigation into an e-mail concerning foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that was allegedly written by the Chief of Staff of Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, which reads “Attached just received for some amusement”. The e-mail from the Minister of Agriculture’s Chief of Staff, Ms Jana le Roux, which is currently […]
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Phala Phala: Governing South Africa Must Be Given Top Priority
(Budget Vote Debate: Presidency) President Cyril Ramaphosa should deal with the Phala Phala matter swiftly and honestly so that the focus can shift to what should be the top priority in the interest of all South Africans: properly governing South Africa. Once this has happened, South Africa’s international relations policy should urgently be addressed. The […]
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Unregulated and Unregistered Livestock Undermine FMD Control in Gauteng
(Debate in the Gauteng Legislature on foot-and-mouth disease) The continued spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Gauteng and the fact that much of the livestock in the province are unregulated and unregistered pose a serious risk to the province’s agricultural sector. Although the Department of Agriculture emphasises the roll-out of vaccines and other control measures, […]
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Victory Not Just for Livestock Farmers, but for the Entire Civil Society
Yesterday’s court ruling on private sector involvement in the vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is clearly a major victory for livestock farmers. Together with private veterinarians, they have long been ready to assist in combating this disease. Their efforts were, however, curtailed by a state that wanted to keep control of the process in its […]
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Iran War Is Exposing South Africa’s Dependency on Diesel: What Went Wrong
Diesel has become South Africa’s shadow infrastructure system by compensating for failures in electricity generation and freight rail.
Explainer: What Last Week’s Storm Says About Climate Change
Models suggest winter storms will become less frequent but more severe
Special Tribunal Freezes Two Properties Bought With Lottery Funds
Funds meant for an agricultural project to benefit 1,900 unemployed people were used to buy homes for directors of non-profit organisations
Agriculture in Africa: Science and Research Can’t Make an Impact Without Investment and Good Policies
Science can only change the world when societies decide to give it the means to do so.
Millions of Farmers in Africa’s Great Lakes Region Face Rising Temperatures. Study Predicts How Crop Disease and Pests Could Spread
Figuring out how climate change will cause plant disease and pests to spread across Africa’s Great Lakes farms is critical for future food supplies.
Needless Delays in Roll-Out of FMD Vaccine Jeopardise Calving Season in the Free State
The critical shortage of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine is creating mounting pressure on farmers as calving season is around the corner. While the crisis worsens, farmers are losing calves and herds are increasingly weakened. A farmer in the eastern Free State informed the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) that more than 50% of his calves […]
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The Conversation Africa: 11 Years of Impact
The Conversation Africa marks its eleventh anniversary this year with more than 12,000 articles celebrating varying levels of impact.
Mozambique’s Economy Is Failing: The Tough Policy Choices That Need to Be Made Urgently
Economic conditions for ordinary Mozambicans are deteriorating. Poverty has risen, public services are unreliable and there are few decent job opportunities.
Minister Cannot Fix FMD With Words Alone
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is cautiously optimistic that the Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen, will tomorrow announce a coherent Section 10 plan for vaccinating against foot-and-mouth disease, as ordered by the court. In fact, it is unthinkable that this course of action had to be taken. Private veterinarians in South Africa possess […]
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