



Soil to plate
The next generation of black winemakers EMPOWERING YOUTH
Where innovation meets the human heart of agriculture
Solving the twin challenges of intense weather and food security requires modern technology, coupled with advanced scientifi c research, writes ABRAHAM VERMEULEN , commercial director for Africa and Middle East at Corteva Agriscience
Sub-Saharan Africa faces an increased risk of climate vulnerability, as extreme and intense weather impacts increase in frequency, causing huge disruption to food production systems. A recent UN estimate indicates that there has been a nearly 40 per cent increase in malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa in the last decade. Locally, approximately 28 per cent of children under the age of ve are malnourished, due to a lack of nutritious food availability.
Cortega Agriscience is a proponent of sustainable agriculture and, as a research and development (R&D)-focused business, aims to leverage technology to help solve some of these climate-related challenges.
Corteva is proud to call South Africa one of our key markets, where we operate as a local partner. With advanced research hubs in Delmas and Potchefstroom and eld trials conducted across over 100 locations, we generate more than ve million data points annually to ensure our seed varieties and crop protection solutions are nely tuned to local environmental and agronomic conditions.
Through these efforts, we are proud to have played our part and helped drive a 36 per cent increase in maize yields over the past decade, delivering three million additional tonnes of maize while using 200 000 fewer hectares. This kind of productivity gain is crucial for a continent where every hectare must count and every harvest matters.
Our innovation pipeline is grounded in the needs of South African farmers – commercial and emerging. With hybrids and varieties
stress-tested under local conditions and sustainable crop protection, our approach is centred on helping farmers do more with less, while safeguarding their long-term productivity. Globally, for the past ve years, we have invested more than $6-billion into R&D. Locally, our R&D network serves local market needs and is an innovation and knowledge base for the wider African markets.
Our focus and investment cover multiple pillars, from capacity building and skills development to enterprise development and empowering women farmers. Annually, we offer a 12-month internship programme to 20–25 young graduates, offering on-the-job experience across all business elds.
Our bursary programme, which has an annual intake of 16 students, goes beyond nancial support, providing students with two opportunities for work exposure at key Corteva sites.
A key pillar of our transformation strategy is empowering rural women. Through our SoilSistas programme, in partnership with organisations such as the Gordon Institute of Business Science, we equip women farmers with the knowledge, resources and networks needed to succeed.
Our commitment to South Africa goes hand in hand with a rm belief in partnership. We know that agricultural transformation cannot happen
in isolation. It requires co-ordination across government, private sector, research institutions and farmers.
South Africa adopted biotech maize in 1998, becoming the fth country globally. This move, backed by supportive regulation, improved access to advanced traits. Today, South Africa’s maize yield averages 5.7 tonnes per hectare, far above the Sub-Saharan average of 2.2 tonnes per hectare, re ecting disparities in access to technology, inputs and agronomic practices.
South Africa’s early adoption of agricultural biotechnology – and its current leadership in maize yields across Sub-Saharan Africa –demonstrates the power of smart, science-based policy. We must ensure regulation continues to evolve in a way that supports both innovation and inclusion.
Ultimately, our vision is clear: to help build resilient agricultural systems that feed people, sustain livelihoods, ensure consumer safety and protect our natural resources.
In South Africa, this means continuing to invest in technology, talent and transformation. It means ensuring innovation doesn’t stop at commercial farms, but reaches every smallholder, rural woman and emerging farmer across the country.
At Corteva, we don’t just work in agriculture; we grow with it. We are proud to stand with South Africa’s farmers, scientists and communities in shaping a more sustainable and food-secure future.
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Every seed planted carries more than the promise of food or bre, it carries the promise of nourishment and community. Agriculture is not only about food on our plates, but also about the quiet daily work that sustains life itself. Too often, this work goes unnoticed, yet it shapes our health, our economy and our shared future in profound ways.
Across our country, extraordinary stories are unfolding. In Skeerpoort, young learners are steering tractors with tablets, piloting drones across elds and discovering how technology can make farms more ef cient and sustainable. In the Western Cape’s vineyards, emerging farmers are rewriting history, cultivating wine that tells a story of resilience and renewal. These are not just distant headlines; they are explicit reminders that agriculture is alive with innovation and possibility, right here at home.
Beneath it all lies the soil, which, when cared for, produces food that nourishes our families,
but when neglected, its decline ripples through entire communities. South African farmers are champions of incorporating the latest innovations to ensure our soil’s health, showing that caring for the earth is inseparable from caring for people.
While global trade winds shift and politics become complex, our farmers continue to rise each morning, adapt and persevere. They are proving that sustainability is not merely a slogan, but a way of living – balancing livelihoods, fairness and stewardship of the land, all while managing increasing challenges that threaten our food security.
As you turn the pages of this issue, may you see not just facts and gures, but the human heartbeat of agriculture. Let us remember that every loaf of bread, every glass of wine, every meal with family is a gift from those who prepare the soil, plant, harvest or tend to their livestock or poultry.
Elriza Theron
JENNIFER BOOTH chats with young rural farmers in the North West who are embracing smart farming technology, blending tradition with digital innovation to boost productivity and food security
In the rural village of Schaumburg, near Skeerpoort in the North West, 10 young farmers are swapping traditional tools for high-tech ones, from the use of drones to smart soil sensors, in a training programme blending traditional planting with digital innovation, turning untapped potential into market-ready agri-entrepreneurs.
“This programme gave me purpose. Now I know I can become an agriculturalist,” says Emily Sibeko. “It opened my eyes to the various sectors in agriculture.” Emily is one of 10 young agri-entrepreneurs participating in a new smart farming initiative that blends traditional planting with cutting-edge digital tools. The initiative, managed by Earth Hub Africa, is a black woman-led commercial farming hub built with partners and communities to grow food at scale, create market access for smallholder farmers and open real pathways for them to thrive.
“Thanks to the support of MTN, Shell South Africa and a partnership with Agricolleges International, participants are learning to use advanced tools such as data-driven crop monitoring, a big step beyond the small-scale farming many grew up with,” says founder Tsakani Mashaba.
“Our aim is simple: give rural youth not just the skills, but also the tools to compete in commercial agriculture. Many promising farmers don’t fail because they can’t grow crops; they fail because they can’t reach markets or afford competitive tools. This programme is about changing that.”
“Each participant is working towards a national certi cate in plant production, backed by mentorship and market linkages,” says Wynand Espach from Agricolleges. “The rst intake was small to ensure hands-on support. During the selection period, candidates completed a skills assessment to gauge their current knowledge and potential for growth, followed by a short interview process to assess their motivation, adaptability and commitment. We wanted individuals with the right blend of interest, aptitude and resilience,” he explains.
The blended learning model combines online modules, of ine materials for low-connectivity areas and practical sessions on-site to re ect budget realities and gain experience. The goal, Espach says, is not just to teach, but also equip graduates to start small and grow sustainably.
At the project launch on 20 June 2025, North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Madoda Sambatha called the 10 participants pioneers. “These young agri-entrepreneurs are the future of food security and economic resilience in our province,” he said. “This partnership re ects the kind of innovation and collaboration we need to truly uplift our people.”
“OUR AIM IS SIMPLE: GIVE RURAL YOUTH NOT JUST THE SKILLS, BUT ALSO THE TOOLS TO COMPETE IN COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE.” – TSAKANI MASHABA
For Jaftalin Boya, the programme is a turning point. “We come from a place where access to resources is limited, but today we feel seen and empowered. It’s a chance to change our lives and our communities through farming.”
Fellow participant Isaac Baloyi is equally enthusiastic: “Smart farming has boosted agriculture and has the potential to improve productivity and food security. Now there are data-driven decisions that help farmers maximise yield and adapt to challenges like climate change.”
The programme’s reach goes beyond the 10 participants. At Schaumburg Combined School, 25 computers have been installed to prepare local learners for a digital future, in or outside agriculture.
Espach says sustainability is built into the design. With agricolleges providing high-quality digital and practical training, ongoing mentorship and peer support groups, Earth Hub Africa is strengthening the model through access to capital, sector linkages and long-term market development.
Mashaba believes this is just the start. “If this model is replicated, it can play a signi cant role in addressing critical unemployment challenges, strengthening food security and enabling smallholder farmers to gain meaningful access to the agricultural industry.
Follow: Wynand Espach www.linkedin.com/in/wynand-espach-b6575024 Agricolleges International www.linkedin.com/company/agricolleges-international
Soil is far more than a mere medium that allows farmers to produce food. It is a dynamic, living ecosystem that helps sustain life on earth by supporting plant growth, regulating water cycles, storing carbon and serving as a habitat for various organisms. Soil is an essential driver for farm productivity, pro ts and sustainable food production.
It is estimated that 95 per cent of food production is reliant on soil. Yet, over the years, soil health has been neglected. It is, however, possible to reverse soil degradation by changing agricultural practices, says Dr Hendrik Smith, conservation agriculture facilitator at ASSET Research.
He says healthy soils can store vast amounts of carbon, nutrients and water, and play a fundamental role in slowing down global warming. “The sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere to soil is a powerful tool at our disposal to restore our soil and reduce atmospheric CO2.”
Free State farmer Cobus van Coller says changing his practices allowed him to continue farming. “Soil is our greatest asset. Without soil, we will not be able to produce food. Seeing soil only as a medium is not sustainable.”
Danie Bester, a farmer from Balfour in Mpumalanga, agrees. “Soil is not a mere growth medium, but a living ecosystem that can aid in production.”
Bester says that since focusing on improving soil health on his farm by following regenerative agricultural practices, he has seen a remarkable
change in how the soil functions. He follows no-till practices to optimise soil moisture retention, reduce compaction and enhance the microbes in the soil.
“Productivity is inherent in the soil. A healthy soil biology will unlock the potential in the soil as it is only through biological actions that the nutrients become available to plants in a usable form,” Bester explains.
Soil degradation can be stopped by limiting tillage, says Dr Smith. “Crop rotation, planting cover crops, retaining crop residues on the soil surfaces, reducing soil disturbance and integrating livestock in the production cycle are some of the important practices in improving soil health.”
Van Coller mentions that conservation agricultural practices helped him attain a stable yield over the years. “In dif cult and drier seasons, I have been able to obtain better yields than many other farmers. Conservation agriculture allows me to diversify, not only in crops such as maize, soya beans, sun ower and sorghum, but also to incorporate cover crops and livestock. Diversi cation also means that I can spread my risk.”
Dr Smith points out that cropping diversity increases the above-ground biodiversity, such as bene cial insects, while diverse living root systems reduce soil erosion by keeping the soil intact, thereby reducing water and
“SOIL IS NOT A MERE GROWTH MEDIUM, BUT A LIVING ECOSYSTEM THAT CAN AID IN PRODUCTION.” – DANIE BESTER
wind erosion, creating channels in the soil that improve water retention and provide food for organisms like earthworms and microbes that recycle nutrients. Bester cautions, however, that soil health management is not a quick remedy or a once-off x. “Managing your soil is a continuous management process requiring dedication and the commitment to change things.”
Werner Wessels, area sales manager for Syngenta Vegetable Seeds, says good soil health is crucial for vegetable production as it improves water retention and crop health.
Wessels points out that some diseases, such as tomato bacterial wilt, can remain in soil for up to 25 years, causing severe damage and additional production costs. “Bacterial diseases in vegetables can cause signi cant damage. Good soil health prevents the spread of some soil-borne diseases that infect the plant through its roots and move up through the vascular system, where it multiplies and blocks the ow of water and nutrients. In those cases, farmers have to graft tomatoes on rootstocks, which increases production costs.”
Follow: Dr Hendrik Smith www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-smith-883100a0
Danie Bester www.facebook.com/danie.bester.7
Cobus van Coller www.facebook.com/cobus.vancoller.50
Werner Wessels www.linkedin.com/in/werner-wessels-908086137
From Soweto to Swartland, black-owned wine brands and winemakers are rewriting the rules of an industry long shaped by history and heritage.
By IVOR PRICE
Black-owned wine farms and winemakers are carving out a space for themselves through resilience, innovation and a commitment to community, proving that wine is as diverse as the people who make it.
Williams says. “It was really about the stories and how to approach winemaking.”
For Rosemary Mosia , founder of Bridge of Hope Wines, the journey began far from the vineyards. Raised in Soweto with deep church traditions, she once found the idea of women drinking wine almost scandalous.
“Seeing a woman drinking wine shocked me” she says, but her rst visit to a wine farm changed everything. The rituals of swirling and snif ng fascinated her. “I was convinced they must be adding spices and berries during the winemaking process,” she admits.
That curiosity turned into a calling. After setbacks during COVID-19 and the closure of her rst production partner, Mosia secured vineyards along the Orange River in Upington, where farmers use precise irrigation to counter drought.
Mosia’s Shiraz Petit Verdot blend tells her story in the glass. “If you drink this wine in winter, it feels like a warm hug. It’s also the perfect wine to usher you into summer,” she explains. Paired with bobotie or oxtail and pap, it re ects her roots while celebrating South Africa’s rich food culture.
In the Swartland region, Lesego Holzapfel has built Moedi Wines around a philosophy of sustainability and social responsibility. Founded in 2022, Moedi, meaning “a stream of water” in Setswana, channels its pro ts into supporting rural beekeepers, environmental restoration and education for orphans.
“This brand talks about the essence of connecting Africa, its people and the ora
and fauna. We also focus on the importance of bees because they are essential for food production,” Holzapfel says.
The dry Swartland climate gives Moedi’s wines their character. Her Chenin Blanc has a eshy and fresh nish that lingers on the palate. The Mourvèdre Rosé is equally distinctive. “The word that comes up when I think of this wine is ‘sexy’. It makes you look fun and funky,” she smiles, pairing it as easily with duck as with a sweet South African koeksister.
Meanwhile, in Wellington, Natasha Williams and Wade Sanders, co-founders of Lalela Wines, are bottling history. Lalela, meaning listen in isiZulu, is their invitation to hear the forgotten stories of the Cape Winelands. “Even the artwork came before the wine,”
Their Lalela Chillable Red, made primarily from Grenache, honours the friends and communities who supported them. Another wine, Lalela Cinsault, pays tribute to Maai Angela, one of the rst freed slaves to own land in the Cape Winelands. “We wanted to recreate the wines of the past,” Williams explains, combining heritage with modern craftsmanship.
Former rugby y-half Burton Francis, founder of Francis Wines, brings yet another dimension to this new wave. Inspired by his years in France, he now crafts elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley in the Western Cape.
“Finding the right wines was tough,” Francis recalls. His wines, aged in older French barrels, mirror Burgundy’s nesse while celebrating South African terroir.
Supporting this new generation of black-owned wine brands and winemakers requires more than talent and passion, says Karin Kleinbooi, executive manager for transformation and development at South Africa Wine. It demands an industry-wide approach to inclusivity, mentorship and sustainable growth.
Phil Bowes, transformation advisory manager at South Africa Wine, highlights why this approach is so crucial. “Often, people entering the industry lack suf cient equity and grant funding can help address that. We must ensure these businesses can become viable,” he explains.
Through this holistic approach, the next generation of South African winemakers is not only crafting exceptional wines. They are shaping an industry built on inclusion, sustainability and long-term impact.
Follow: Karin Kleinbooi www.linkedin.com/in/karin-kleinbooi-61a30986
Phil Bowes www.linkedin.com/in/phil-bowes-6aab576
Burton Francis www.linkedin.com/in/burton-francis-99295196
Lesogo Holzapfel www.linkedin.com/in/lesego-serolong-holzapfel-685329a Rosemary Mosia www.linkedin.com/in/rosemary-mosia-78992a7
JEANNE VAN DER MERWE writes that while environmental, social and governance is a familiar term in the working world, many employees rarely see the concept in action
In agriculture, you are unlikely to hear the term ESG (environmental, social and governance) at a farmers’ day or farm management meeting, but successful agribusinesses live these principles.
“No player in the agricultural value chain will survive in the long term if the practices they follow are not sustainable,” says Annelize Crosby, head of legal intelligence at Agbiz. “Therefore, ESG practices have been built into agricultural businesses over a long time. You cannot abuse your natural resources and expect them to keep on sustaining production. Neither can you survive as a business if your reputation suffers because of bad human resources or environmental practices. Many farmers and agribusiness are already implementing aspects of ESG, although not necessarily always reporting on it.
“Many commodity organisations have embarked on setting up ESG implementation frameworks for their industries and providing guidance to their members,” she explains.
“Agriculture in South Africa faces many problems, such as water quality and availability, energy availability and cost, climate change, loss of high-yield agricultural land and biosecurity risks. Economic sustainability is already a big challenge for the sector, and the additional investments required to mitigate these risks might create more pressure in the short term.”
Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay, manager for resource management and sustainability at
Hortgro, says changes on farms and beyond are driven by both consumer demand for sustainable products and investor preferences for ESG-compliant businesses.
“Our farmers are adopting strategies to improve water and energy ef ciency as well as manage their resources responsibly. As far back as 2008, the fruit and wine industry developed the Confronting Climate Change (CCC) initiative to identify and respond to the risks and opportunities associated with carbon emissions.”
With this initiative, growers and service providers can now measure their carbon footprint using the CCC calculator, identify carbon hotspots and develop creative solutions to reduce CO 2 emissions, such as reduced electricity use through precision irrigation and switching to renewable energy or reducing external inputs by improving soil health.
“Since 2011, the CCC benchmark reports have used combined season data to provide an industry-speci c CO 2 emissions benchmark and ways to reduce these emissions. Research and adaptation of farming techniques to improve climate resilience is ongoing in the sector.”
With regard to the S in ESG, agricultural operations play a crucial role in their communities. Crosby points out that without the farming community, many rural towns would not be viable at all. “They are often involved in maintaining infrastructure, such as roads, and provide assistance to upcoming farmers.”
Bajinath-Pillay says many larger deciduous fruit producers and packhouse groups are heavily involved in community upliftment, funding support programmes, such as early childhood development
“OUR FARMERS ARE ADOPTING STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS MANAGE THEIR RESOURCES RESPONSIBLY.”
programmes, youth foundations, upskilling academies and employee training programmes, and providing opportunities for the children of packhouse or farmworkers to further their studies. Growers’ Hortgro membership fees also support two farming development trusts for emerging farmers.
In the lean and unsubsidised South African agriculture sector, sound governance is non-negotiable. “The essence of good corporate governance is about the effectiveness of management, risk management, stakeholder relations, ethics and transparency,” says Crosby. For smaller businesses, such as family businesses, which encompass the majority of agricultural production, corporate governance is also essential. “It establishes the necessary frameworks for decision-making, accountability and transparency and enhances sustainable growth and stakeholder trust.”
Bajinath-Pillay points out that good governance is also a requirement for market access. Exporters to the European Union must comply with the region’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). “This regulation requires businesses to report on and disclose non nancial information, speci cally relating to environmental, social and governance factors. As corporate governance is essentially aimed at aligning sustainability reporting with nancial and ethical conduct reporting, we strive to maintain our market access by demonstrating that we conduct business in a lawful, ethical, and transparent manner.”
Follow: Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay www.linkedin.com/in/nitasha-baijnath-pillay-a17690154
Annelize Crosby www.linkedin.com/in/annelize-crosby-69835a1a
GRAINS SA’s Phahama Grain Phakama empowers black farmers through mentorship, training and technology – restoring soil, boosting yields, creating jobs and driving inclusive agricultural transformation across South Africa’s grain sector
Across South Africa’s vast grain elds, from the Eastern Cape’s small homesteads to the golden belts of the Free State, a quiet transformation is underway. It is not driven by corporate boardrooms or international trade pacts, but by men and women whose hands are deep in the soil: farmers. For Grain SA and its farmer development arm, Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP), these sons and stewards of the soil are at the heart of the nation’s future food security. The journey of food begins with the soil. Healthy soils produce healthy crops and, by extension, healthy people. Yet many emerging farmers inherit land that has been degraded over decades, stripped of fertility or plagued by poor drainage.
PGP recognises that soil rehabilitation is not a luxury, but a foundation. Through mentorship, technical support and targeted interventions, the programme equips black farmers to adopt practices that restore soil health and improve yields.
This shift from survival farming to sustainable production has a ripple effect beyond the farm gate. It means more maize in local silos, more soybeans in crushers and ultimately more nutritious meals on household tables.
GRAIN
South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. PGP views agriculture as a pathway for young people to access digni ed work. However, agriculture today is powered by technology, data and precision.
Through Grain SA’s NAMPO-Tech, young farmers are introduced to drones, mechanisation and climate-smart practices. Skills programmes prepare them for jobs not only as farmers, but also as technicians, machine operators and agri-entrepreneurs.
COMMERCIAL AND ULTIMATELY NEW-ERA COMMERCIAL FARMERS.
The vision is clear: the “Earth Hub” of agriculture in South Africa must be a place where the youth can innovate, thrive and see farming as a respected, modern career.
Phahama Grain Phakama operates as a structured pathway where farmers progress from subsistence to smallholder, potential commercial and ultimately new-era commercial farmers.
Key interventions include:
• Study groups and training: 150-plus groups across six provinces.
• On-farm mentorship and seasonal support.
• Innovative production nancing partnerships with PepsiCo, SACTA and Kgodiso.
• Over R10-million invested annually in mechanisation and seed packages. In 2022 to 2023, PGP farmers planted over 19 000 hectares, producing 42 000 tonnes of grain. By 2024 to 2025, this had expanded to nearly 24 000 hectares with expected yields exceeding 79 000 tonnes.
One of the greatest barriers facing black farmers is insecure land tenure. Many farm under tribal authorities or state leases, with only “Permission to Occupy” documents instead of title deeds. Without secure tenure, nancial institutions are unlikely to extend credit, locking farmers out of commercial opportunities despite a proven ability to farm pro tably.
Grain SA and PGP stress that land transfer delays undermine transformation. Until land ownership is resolved, many black farmers will remain dependent on donor support,
rather than accessing credit available to their white counterparts.
For PGP, sustainability is a daily practice rooted in three pillars:
1. Economic: training farmers to produce pro tably.
2. Social: creating jobs, securing food and restoring dignity, with women and the youth as leaders.
3. Governance: transparent partnerships with government, agribusiness and nanciers. These pillars ensure transformation is a long-term legacy, not a short-term slogan.
PGP’s work is in uenced by global currents. International tensions, such as those between the United States and agricultural partners, affect fertiliser imports, maize prices and export markets.
Grain SA’s advocacy is critical to ensure tariffs, duties and biosecurity standards protect South African farmers, particularly those in the developing sector, whose margins are thinner.
The grain sector is not alone in transformation. In the Western Cape, black emerging farmers are breaking into the wine industry, a sector historically dominated by a few. Their success echoes familiar themes: mentorship, nance and access to markets.
For PGP, these parallels show that transformation is not bound by commodity, but by vision – to create a diverse, inclusive agricultural economy.
At its core, PGP’s work is about stewardship: caring for the land, the people and the promise of South Africa’s future.
• 5 891 emerging grain producers.
• 18 398 farmer development beneficiaries nationwide.
• 150-plus active study groups.
• 79 000 tonnes projected harvest for 2025/26.
• R10-million-plus invested annually in mechanisation and inputs.
• Women make up over 40 per cent of participants in several provinces.
• Farmers progress from subsistence to new-era commercial status.
However, stewardship must be matched by national commitment. Government must accelerate land transfers, the private sector must expand partnerships, and consumers must value the role of black farmers in feeding the nation.
Through PGP, a generation of black farmers is taking its rightful place as sons and stewards of the soil, and their success is South Africa’s success.
more information: www.grainsa.co.za
In a world where plastic pollution has a major negative impact on the environment, the container management programme from CROPLIFE SOUTH AFRICA stands as a beacon of hope
The container management programme from CropLife South Africa is transforming empty agricultural remedy containers into valuable resources. This project is not just an environmental initiative; it’s a story of innovation, collaboration and sustainability that keeps thousands of tonnes of plastic out of land lls and rivers while creating jobs and protecting wildlife.
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife SA, leads this comprehensive programme with the necessary passion to ensure its success. “Our goal is to create a circular economy where waste gains a new life,” he says. The project requires that farmers triple rinse their containers to remove residual product, which, if done correctly, leaves the container 99.99 per cent residue-free and nominally clean. The containers are then taken to CropLife SA-approved collectors and recyclers.
This plastic can be transformed into products, such as irrigation pipes, fencing poles and even new containers. It also creates job
opportunities in disadvantaged communities, where over 159 approved and certi ed collector companies and 211 certi ed recyclers nationwide build viable businesses. Imagine a farmer in the Free State trading in their empty containers for a clear conscience, knowing their actions contribute to a greener planet.
The programme also complies with the government’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, which hold manufacturers accountable for their products’ life cycle. CropLife SA works with farmers, government agencies and industries to raise awareness through workshops and campaigns that reach thousands. “We’re seeing farmers go from passive users to active environmental stewards,” Dr Verdoorn shares. In a time of climate change, this is an inspiring example of how the agricultural sector can lead in sustainability.
CropLife SA’s collaboration with local municipalities and agricultural co-operatives has expanded the programme’s reach, ensuring even remote farming communities can participate in sustainable waste management. This vision has fostered a nationwide movement, inspiring over thousands of farmers to adopt responsible disposal practices annually.
Recycling success: over 76 per cent of all empty plastic containers are collected and recycled, a world-class achievement. In 2024 alone, 5 600 tonnes of plastic were collected, equivalent to about 73 per cent of the plastic placed on the market.
On track for 2025:
• Network of operators: CropLife SA has over 159 certi ed companies and 211 certi ed recyclers nationwide, ensuring farmers have easy access to safe disposal points. In total, 557 individuals are involved with the container management programme.
• Environmental impact: since the programme’s inception, nearly 130 million kilograms of plastic have been recycled globally through similar CropLife initiatives, with South Africa leading in Africa.
• Safety focus: farmers and farmworkers are trained to clean containers through triple rinsing, leaving the containers nominally clean. On Women’s Day alone, over 900 farmworkers were trained in responsible use of agricultural remedies in the Koue Bokkeveld area of Western Cape, which included training on how to properly triple rinse these containers.
This project proves that small actions can lead to big changes. For farmers, farmworkers, crop advisers and anyone who cares about South Africa’s environmental future, the container management programme is a reminder that sustainability is within reach. Contact Dr Gerhard Verdoorn at CropLife SA (gerhard@croplife.co.za) for more information or to get involved. SCAN THIS QR CODE TO GO TO THE CROPLIFE SA WEBSITE For more information: https://croplife.co.za
“OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A CIRCULAR ECONOMY WHERE WASTE GAINS A NEW LIFE.”
Unpacking the heartbeat of the South African Veterinary Association
Champions of veterinary excellence in South Africa –
is advancing animal welfare, public health, education and professional support while empowering veterinarians through advocacy, resources and community service
SAVA, or the South African Veterinary Association, serves as the principal professional body for veterinarians across South Africa. It champions the interests of veterinary professionals and fosters scienti c excellence, thus contributing towards animal and human health and welfare, food safety and security. SAVA also contributes to policy development and provides invaluable resources for public engagement.
Based in Pretoria, South Africa, SAVA offers a wide array of services to its members and the broader community: from mentorship programmes and stress-management hotlines to vocational resources, such as “Find a SAVA Vet”, and educational material on vaccination and exotic animal care.
Its structure includes diverse special interest groups (SIGs) catering to areas, such as small animals, wildlife, equine, ruminants, poultry, pigs, complementary veterinary medicines and veterinary public health. Its services further extend to various committees, such as education, medicines, animal ethics and welfare, ethics and mediation, congress organising, mental health, one health and disaster management, animal health and awards committees. These SIGs and committees deepen expertise, foster collaboration and address niche challenges, from wildlife conservation to public health concerns.
Beyond its professional mandate, SAVA nurtures future leaders through student initiatives, such as elective-friendly practices and support for graduates entering compulsory community veterinary service. Its publications, including VetNews, the Journal of the SAVA, press releases and position statements, play a vital role in knowledge dissemination and policy engagement.
In rural communities, SAVA’s Community Veterinary Clinics (CVC) bring affordable, professional veterinary services directly where they’re needed most. With around 39 mobile clinics operating nationwide, the CVC initiative also offers training, medical supply co-ordination and shared educational content – strengthening veterinary outreach and promoting animal welfare in underserved areas. Through this initiative, SAVA plays an important role in the prevention of rabies among animals and humans in extensive rabies vaccination campaigns in the Eastern Cape.
At its core, SAVA aligns its operations with a clear mission: to uplift the veterinary profession in South Africa with integrity, scienti c rigour and community responsibility. Its core principles, organisational structure and long-standing history of over 100 years re ect a commitment to continuous improvement,
ethical standards and adaptability, vital in navigating evolving challenges in animal and public health.
• Veterinary leadership: through advocacy, professional development and knowledge sharing, SAVA elevates the standards and reputation of veterinary services in South Africa.
• Public and animal welfare: initiatives like SAVA-CVC provides under-resourced communities with access to care, disease prevention guidance and credible information.
• Specialised networks: SIGs empower veterinarians to specialise, collaborate and innovate in crucial areas like wildlife conservation, food safety and public health.
• Education and innovation: through formative support, publications and events, SAVA nurtures the next generation of veterinary leaders with cutting-edge skills and ethical grounding. SAVA stands as a pillar of veterinary excellence in South Africa – balancing professional advocacy, scienti c integrity, community service and innovation. It underscores how an association, deeply rooted in service and expertise, can signi cantly shape a nation’s approach to animal care, public health and veterinary leadership.
South Africa’s farmers are once again finding themselves at the mercy of geopolitics. In early August, the United States slapped a 30 per cent tariff on South African agricultural exports, a move that has left producers reeling, writes ELRIZA THERON
The timing could hardly be worse. Global trading systems are already under pressure, and the tariff escalation puts South African exporters at a steep disadvantage. While local producers now face duties of 30 per cent, competitors from Peru and Chile continue to enjoy tariffs closer to 10 per cent. That gap could be the difference between securing a deal and losing it.
The most vulnerable are high-value industries, such as citrus, table grapes, wine, nuts and even ostrich products. These sectors have spent years cultivating United States (US) markets, only to nd themselves priced out almost overnight. Yet, if there is a silver lining, it is the renewed urgency of diversifying South Africa’s agricultural markets.
“Diversi cation should not be viewed as a replacement for the US, but as part of the long-standing focus on export expansion and growth strategy for the South African agricultural sector,” says Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber.
Mmatlou Kalaba, a senior analyst and director at the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, notes that while the US remains valuable, only four to six per cent of South Africa’s agricultural exports actually go to the US.
“That is still substantial value, and individual farmers who are directly affected will be negatively impacted,” Kalaba explains. “But it is not an insurmountable share that cannot be diverted to other markets if that becomes the strategy.” He stresses that provincial differences matter,
with the Western Cape and Northern Cape most exposed. Any diversion strategy, he argues, will need a provincial focus aligned with existing trade agreements with other partners.
In Africa, most of South Africa’s trade is concentrated in the Southern African region. Venturing further north has potential, but demand for premium products, such as wine and red meat, remains constrained by lower consumer incomes. Europe, meanwhile, remains an indispensable outlet for fruits and wine, and local exporters cannot afford to neglect those relationships while the spotlight is on Washington.
China alone imports more than US$200-billion in agricultural products annually, much of it in categories where South Africa is competitive. In mid-August this year, South Africa managed to secure production protocols with China for ve stone fruits, the rst time that more than one product at a time has been negotiated with the country, signalling an appetite for more fruit to enter the negotiations.
The Middle East also beckons, but success there will depend on a stronger marketing push to raise awareness of South Africa’s trade potential. Kalaba cautions, however, that these opportunities are medium-term plays: “Not every product can be shifted as quickly or easily as we wish. Adjustment takes time.”
“SOUTH AFRICA MUST INCREASE ITS EFFORTS IN TWO AREAS: RETAINING EXISTING MARKETS IN VARIOUS REGIONS OF THE WORLD AND EXPANDING ACCESS IN NEW PLACES.” – WANDILE SIHLOBO
those attributes to stay in the market, despite the current tariffs,” he says. This, however, is not without dif culty, as it raises questions about revenue sharing along the value chain. Ironically, these international headwinds are colliding with a season of plenty at home. Sihlobo notes: “Maize production alone is expected to exceed domestic demand by some three million tonnes, cementing South Africa’s position as a net exporter.”
This bumper crop is good news for consumers, as it should help ease food price in ation. However, for farmers, it presents a double-edged sword in that, without secure export markets, surpluses could push down local prices, squeezing pro tability.
Sihlobo frames it succinctly: “South Africa must increase its efforts in two areas: retaining existing markets in various regions of the world and expanding access in new places.” Kalaba echoes this, noting that the sector’s resilience lies in adaptation through negotiations, tariff absorption or careful regional diversi cation.
Kalaba also underscores a pragmatic option: absorbing or sharing tariff costs with traders while leaning on established relationships with US retailers like Walmart. “South Africa has built up credibility over the last quarter-century of AGOA implementation. It can use
The US tariffs are a wake-up call. They highlight the risks of over-reliance on a single partner in an era of shifting geopolitics. The challenge now, is to adapt with agility.
Follow: Mmatlou Kalaba www.linkedin.com/in/mmatlou-kalaba-25570722
Wandile Sihlobo www.linkedin.com/in/wandile-sihlobo-a48ab713