He was speaking during a ceremony where several title deeds were handed over to the Grigua community in the Western Cape at the weekend. Presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko, says Ramaphosa assured community members that the country’s land reform program will not affect the current economy. Diko says Ramaphosa urged the beneficiaries to use the land productively once it is returned to the rightful owners. She also added that more title deeds will be handed over to communities in other provinces.

The Southern African Agri Initiative’ (SAAI) urges South Africans to get involved with current aid organisations assisting victims of cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Saai CEO, Francois Rossouw, says the situation is dire for communities including farmers in these countries. They need all the help they can get. According to him there are an estimated 2 200 South African farmers in these countries that have been affected by Idai. Ordinary South Africans can also make a difference

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The effect of cyclone Idai that damaged both crop fields and port infrastructure in neighbouring Mozambique may not lead to meaningful changes in the country’s requirement of major grain. This is according the Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agriculture Business Chamber, Agbiz,  who says Mozambique is a net importer of maize, wheat and rice. About 100 000 tonnes of maize, 680 000 tonnes of wheat and 700 000 tonnes of rice are imported for the country’s domestic needs. He says given the production of rice and wheat which are relatively small, the current weather-induced devastation is highly to result in major changes in Mozambique’s import requirement.

OFM News/ Michael Tlhakudi