Latest News & Developments
drought
Uprooting Cape Region’s thirsty pine trees to avert water crisis
To restore the rivers’ flows, for the benefit of people and nature, these invasive pine trees need to be managed to restore natural ecosystems.
North West dams see major water level increases after recent rainfall
North West province's dam levels rise significantly as the Department of Water and Sanitation welcomes relief from recent rainfall after a challenging drought
Teenage girls as young as 13 sold for grass to feed kettle amid droughts
When the grass that feeds their cattle vanishes, several parents opt to sell their teenage daughters for survival.
The Importance of Questioning Statements Around Gauteng's Water Crisis
Exploring the implications of Gauteng's water crisis, the writer highlights the need for responsible public discourse and accountability in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
World Food Day 2024: Unlocking South Africa's indigenous crops to combat hunger, climate change, and boost food security
Current changing environments, characterised by extreme droughts and shortened growing seasons, favour indigenous crops.
Rwanda donates grain to El Niño ravaged Zimbabwe
In April this year, President Emerson Mnangagwa declared a nationwide State of Disaster in Zimbabwe due to the severe drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon which has triggered a humanitarian crisis across southern Africa.
LOOK: At least 100 elephants die during Zimbabwe’s drought
Around 100 elephants in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe have died due to a lack of water, which has been reportedly caused by climate change and the El Niño weather pattern.
Mass death of Amazon river dolphins may be linked to severe drought, heat
The carcasses of 120 river dolphins have been found floating on a tributary of the Amazon River since last week in circumstances that experts suspect were caused by severe drought and heat.
Joburg south residents going into almost two weeks without water
Residents in areas in the south of Joburg have been without water for more than 10 days and there is no indication when their taps will be flowing again.
WATCH: Concerns as global water shortages on the rise, says new international study
More than 50% of people surveyed are seriously concerned about freshwater shortages, according to research published ahead of the UN Water Conference.
Nelson Mandela Bay urges citizens to reduce water consumption as 'Day Zero' looms
As a result of the severe drought, NMBM cannot meet the water demand of 286 megalitres a day, resulting in severe water shortages.
Rewind 2022: How water crisis gripped SA
As the country endured crippling blackouts, many South Africans also had to bear the brunt of water shortages caused by load-shedding and high water demand, which depleted some reservoirs in the City of Johannesburg and Tshwane municipality.
Merweville food garden helps jobless youth to beat poverty
When the community faces a drought, jobs are scarce as the quantity and quality of crops and livestock decrease, and many small-scale farmers are unable to meet the demands.
‘Silent learning’ crisis requires urgent action
OPINION: Fifteen million children are already out of school across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, with more than 3. 6 million more at risk of dropping out because of the crisis, writes Abhiyan Jung Rana.
Fulbright Fellowship sharpens UKZN plant pathology professor’s gene editing skills
Prof Augustine Gubba will be utilising the latest advances in gene-editing technologies in his research programmes into developing plant virus resistance.
WATCH: Somalia famine risk worst in half a century, says Unicef
‘Without greater action and investment, we are facing the death of children on a scale not seen in a half a century. ’
New PM’s reform agenda will test coalition arrangements
OPINION: The election results in Malawi, Zambia and Lesotho will give the opposition parties in the two countries hope that political change is possible, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
Areas of Gauteng could experience water cuts for up to 10 hours
If residents of the municipalities in Gauteng don’t reduce their consumption soon, water supply will become intermittent, Rand Water has said as it implements ‘water shedding’.
Starvation a reality in the conflict-ridden Sahel region
OPINION: More than 80% of the people in the Sahel rely on agriculture to survive. Human rights bodies say that when violence moves through a region, people often must flee, writes Chad Williams.
Somalia’s drought and its implications on region
A recent World Bank study shows that climate change may cause 216 million people to migrate in their own country by 2050 and push as many as 132 million people into poverty by 2030.
Climate change crisis: our generation was betrayed
‘In my childhood innocence and naiveté, I believed it all, that we could turn it around. ’ A Gen Z writer loses hope.
Somali official travels to US for assistance on drought
In the midst of the drought that has affected more than half of Somalia’s population, Special Presidential Envoy for Drought Response for the Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdirahman Abdishakur, travels to the United States in aid of assistance.
Somalia on the verge of famine
OPINION: More than 7. 1 million people – roughly half of Somalia’s population –are in need of food assistance. One out of every five children will face deadly forms of malnutrition by next month should conditions remain, writes Ishaan Tharoor.
SMEs to benefit from shortage of French fries from Europe
According to Potatoes SA figures, South Africa produced an average of 2. 6 million tons of potatoes per year from 2017 to 2021
WATCH: Sewage contamination hits dozens of English and Welsh beaches
The pollution follows a period of heavy rain across southern England that was experienced after a spell of extremely dry weather.