insert_link Africa South Africa’s new agricultural leadership should focus on getting things done, not designing new policies By Wandile Sihlobo, Stellenbosch University South Africa’s primary agriculture sector accounts for nearly 3% of GDP and about 8% when considering the value of agro-processing. But it can contribute even more to economic growth that delivers benefits fairly across society and creates jobs. This can’t happen, however, if new policies and plans keep getting introduced. Fortunately, the views of the new agricultural minister, John Steenhuisen, may […] todayJuly 3, 2024 18
insert_link Environment Wildlife migratory “corridors” set to grow, Africa-wide By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Wildlife, particularly roaming species, exhibit remarkable mobility, covering vast distances in pursuit of essential resources such as water, grazing land, mates or favourable conditions like ideal calving sites. Estimates by the Tsavo Trust, a Kenyan conservation nonprofit, reveal that elephants within the Tsavo conservation area undertake daily journeys of between 50 and 150 kilometres, following distinct migration routes and pathways. In […] todayApril 5, 2024 13
insert_link Africa Kenya’s wildlife conservancies make old men rich, while making women and young people poorer By Joseph Ogutu, University of Hohenheim Kenya once had an exceptional abundance and diversity of wildlife. But as the country’s population boomed, wildlife lost space to people, buildings, roads and agriculture. Since 1948, Kenya’s population has surged by 780%, from 5.4 million people to 47.6 million people in 2019. This was accompanied by a 70% drop in wildlife numbers, between 1977 and 2013. This massive loss of wildlife […] todayApril 5, 2024 6
insert_link Entertainment This is how President Ramaphosa got to the 25% figure of progress in land reform in South Africa By Johann Kirsten, Stellenbosch University and Wandile Sihlobo, Stellenbosch University Nearly three decades into democracy, land reform remains central to South Africa’s transformation policies and agricultural policy. We have over the years pointed out that the progress on land reform has been incorrectly reported. It’s been consistently understated. We have argued that, if the statistics are treated carefully, the progress has been much better than politicians […] todayMarch 22, 2024 19
insert_link Namibia Government’s N$2.4 billion land acquisition benefits thousands The government owns about 3.5 million hectares of freehold agricultural land acquired at more than N$2.4 billion, which makes up 494 commercial farms allocated to about 5480 beneficiaries as of July 2023 through the Resettlement Program. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform spokesperson, Jona Musheko says that farming units have been allocated to beneficiaries. todayFebruary 6, 2024 46
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
