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Space-Age Tech: New LEO Partnership Drives Precision Farming in South Africa

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Space-Age Tech: New LEO Partnership Drives Precision Farming in South Africa

On 8 December 2025, a landmark strategic alliance was announced that promises to inject powerful digital momentum into South Africa’s economy, with the nation’s sprawling agricultural sector set to be a key beneficiary.

Local satellite communications leader, Q-KON, joined forces with China’s Guodian Gaoke (provider of the Tianqi LEO Constellation) and StarWin (terminal technology specialist) to roll out next-generation Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Internet of Things (IoT) services across the country. This isn’t just a commercial agreement; it is a transnational synergy set to revolutionise how South African farms operate, moving them firmly into the era of ‘Smart Farming.’

Bridging the Connectivity Divide

For years, South African agriculture, which stretches across vast and often remote terrain, has been hampered by poor connectivity. Cellular coverage is patchy outside metropolitan areas, and traditional broadband infrastructure is costly to deploy across farmlands. This digital divide has made it difficult for farmers to adopt the technologies necessary to stay competitive globally.

The newly formed alliance directly addresses this challenge. Guodian Gaoke’s Tianqi LEO Constellation comprises a network of low-orbit satellites that blanket the entire country, offering reliable, always-on data links. Unlike traditional high-orbit satellites, LEO satellites orbit much closer to Earth, dramatically reducing communication delays (latency) and making real-time data transfer feasible—a necessity for industrial applications like IoT. Q-KON, leveraging its deep market expertise and distribution network, will be the authorised service provider, ensuring the technology is accessible and localised for end-users.

Precision: The New Path to Productivity

The core of this revolution lies in precision management and automation. IoT sensors, connected via the StarWin-supplied ground terminals, are placed throughout farms to monitor critical variables in real time. These variables include soil moisture, temperature, pH levels, and even the health metrics of individual crops.

Farmers will no longer rely on guesswork or generalised seasonal data. Instead, they will receive minute-by-minute insights that allow them to implement Variable Rate Technology (VRT). This means water and fertiliser are applied only where sensors indicate they are needed, reducing waste and cutting costs. It is estimated that optimised irrigation and fertilisation can lead to significant reductions in water usage and input expenses, directly boosting the farm’s bottom line while promoting sustainability.

From Veld to Global Competitiveness

Beyond basic monitoring, the LEO IoT service offers a powerful tool for asset and livestock management. GPS trackers on expensive farm equipment and collars on cattle can report their precise location and operational status directly via the satellite network. This not only enhances security against theft but also allows for efficient grazing management through virtual geofences, a major logistical benefit for large livestock operations.

As StarWin’s COO and Co-Founder, Amelia, noted, this initiative aligns perfectly with South Africa’s national digital strategy, which views IoT as pivotal for transforming traditional industries like agriculture. By enabling advanced, data-driven farming, this tripartite alliance will drive direct gains in productivity and product quality. This structural upgrade ensures that South African agricultural products—from exported citrus to domestically grown grains—remain globally competitive, securing the industry’s future and generating new employment opportunities within a highly sophisticated, digitised value chain.

The Q-KON, Guodian Gaoke, and StarWin alliance is not just selling connectivity; it is providing the essential digital nervous system for South Africa’s agricultural success story.

South Africa’s Inspection Services Launch Critical Operation Against Fake Honey

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South Africa’s Inspection Services Launch Critical Operation Against Fake Honey

The promise made in November has become the crucial enforcement action of December. South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has moved swiftly from strategy to street-level action, launching an extensive operation to clear store shelves of counterfeit honey products. This decisive effort stems directly from the commitments made on Monday, 10 November 2025, when Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen unveiled a comprehensive plan to protect the R10 billion bee industry.

The Urgency: Why the Crackdown Matters

This concerted action is not simply about quality control; it is fundamental to national food security and economic integrity. The honeybee, deemed the “farmer of the sky,” is indispensable, pollinating nearly 75% of South Africa’s commercial crops. The industry’s viability is constantly threatened by counterfeit products that flood the market, undermine the prices paid to honest producers, and defraud the public.

Honey

Protecting Producers: Fake honey—often cheap syrup—pushes genuine beekeepers out of business, jeopardising rural jobs and the future of the industry.

Protecting Consumers & Health: Shoppers pay a premium for high-quality, pure honey but receive nutritionally void “honey-based syrups,” which can pose a health risk, particularly to vulnerable consumers.

Upholding the Law: The operation enforces the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990, ensuring fair trade and accurate labelling as required by South African food law.

Operation #stopfakehoney: The Action on the Ground

In line with the Minister’s pledge, the Department of Agriculture’s Inspection Services are currently deploying teams for the #stopfakehoney joint operation. Their mandate is clear: to identify and confiscate products illegally labelled and sold as honey.

The specific target of this enforcement is the influx of imported and locally blended products disguised as the genuine article. Inspectors are actively sweeping stores to remove anything labelled with deceptive terms like “honey-based syrup,” which often mask cheap substitutes like corn syrup. This ensures that the commitment made in November to tackle product adulteration is now a visible reality for retailers and consumers alike.

Honey

Empowering the Public: How to Identify Fake Honey

While regulators are cracking down on suppliers, the Department is simultaneously empowering consumers to be vigilant. By adopting the #KnowYourHoney guidelines, shoppers can protect themselves and become the first line of defence against fake products:

Check the Label: If it says “honey blend,” “honey-based syrup,” or anything other than pure honey, put it back.

Observe the Texture: Real honey is thick and slow-moving and will cling to a spoon. Fake honey often runs quickly and cleanly like water.

Check the Price: If the price is very cheap, it is a strong indicator that the product is likely not real honey.

Source Wisely: Protect your purchase by buying from trusted, reputable brands or local beekeepers you know personally.

Securing the Future: Sustainability and Export Ambitions

The inspection sweep is part of a larger government commitment to build a resilient and sustainable bee industry. The Minister made a direct appeal to farmers to prioritise pollinator health, warning against pesticide misuse during bloom and stressing: “When bees die, farming loses its heartbeat.”

To ensure the sector’s long-term strength, the government is focusing on:

Export Growth: Finalising the Residue Monitoring Plan to open access to the lucrative European Union (EU) market, placing South Africa alongside exporting nations like Tanzania and Zambia.

Strategic Planning: Developing key initiatives, including a National Beekeeping Strategy, a Bee Forage Strategy (to combat shrinking food sources), and an AFB (American Foulbrood) Management Strategy.

By moving decisively in December and establishing these long-term pillars, the government confirms its commitment to an industry that is vital for economic empowerment, food security, and the quiet stewardship of a healthy environment.

Vergelegen Boosts Wine Production Capacity with New Purpose-Built Warehouse

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Vergelegen Boosts Wine Production Capacity with New Purpose-Built Warehouse

Vergelegen Wine Estate has completed its new, purpose-built wine warehouse, a major investment that strengthens the Somerset West estate’s long-term operational capacity and reinforces its position as one of South Africa’s premium wine producers.

The 4 226 m² facility can accommodate over two million bottles of wine, providing substantially expanded storage and creating a centralised hub for distribution, logistics and quality control.

Purpose-Designed for Efficiency

The layout includes an 890 m² dedicated tractor facility and a 150 m² maintenance workshop, built to support vineyard operations and improve overall efficiency. Designed and constructed by NK Construction, the project was completed in just seven months.

In line with Vergelegen’s sustainability principles, the building incorporated reused and upcycled materials sourced from the farm and surrounding area, including steel and paving. The location, near the hilltop winery, was selected to minimise visual and environmental impact. Sheltered from prevailing winds and positioned out of sight, the warehouse blends into its surroundings among the vineyards and trees.

Vergelegen

Strengthening a Legacy of Excellence

Managing director Wayne Coetzer says the investment reflects Vergelegen’s ongoing commitment to ensuring c quality in every bottle. The estate initiated a significant restoration and development programme after its purchase in 1987. Following soil and climatic tests, new vineyards were planted, and the multi-level, sunken winery was opened in 1992 by Baron Eric de Rothschild of Château Lafite. The first vintage under this stewardship was harvested in 1992, and the estate soon gained both local and international recognition.

Owning and controlling its own warehouse is the latest milestone in the strategic enhancement of operations, says Coetzer. “Having our own warehouse gives us the flexibility to tailor operations to our specific needs, from layout to picking strategies. We have designed the space to suit our workflows, product range and business model. Controlling our own inventory allows real-time stock tracking, reduces shrinkage and, most importantly, improves service delivery to our customers.”

He adds that while the initial investment was significant, long-term costs will decrease by avoiding third-party storage fees and enabling more streamlined operations.

Boosting Quality and Industry Confidence

Winemaker Luke O’Cuinneagain says the warehouse is “a huge step forward for the estate, giving us full control of our production chain and reinforcing our commitment to uncompromising quality.”

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, noted that the facility signals confidence in the South African wine industry. “Hot on the heels of CapeWine 2025, the largest wine trade show in the Southern Hemisphere, the new Vergelegen facility sends a signal that South African wine is ready to take its seat at the international table of premium wine producers.”

He added that the development reflects Vergelegen’s tradition of excellent winemaking and its balance of nature and business. “Vergelegen is a unique destination where you experience award-winning gardens, wonderful heritage, amazing restaurants and game viewing, along with some of the best wines in the Cape.”

Find out more at https://vergelegen.co.za/

New Research Warns of Declining Genetic Diversity in Mopane Worms

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New Research Warns of Declining Genetic Diversity in Mopane Worms

Mopane worms—an essential seasonal food and income source for rural households across Southern Africa—may be more vulnerable than previously understood. New research reveals that their genetic diversity is uneven and in some regions extremely low, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of this important natural resource.

Packed with three times more protein than beef or chicken, and rich in iron, calcium and zinc, mopane worms are harvested widely as food and traded across borders. But increasing demand, habitat loss, climate change and unregulated harvesting have put pressure on populations in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

DNA Study Reveals Population Differences

Researchers from Stellenbosch University (SU), the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the Botswana International University of Science & Technology and the Ongava Research Centre in Namibia analysed DNA from mopane worms collected in Namibia and the Limpopo River Basin (South Africa and Botswana).

Published in Conservation Genetics, their study provides the first detailed look at how mopane worm populations are related, how they are distributed and how they have changed over time.

The findings show clear genetic differences across long distances. Populations from Namibia and from the Limpopo River Basin do not share the same maternal lineages. South African samples showed the highest genetic diversity, while Botswana had the lowest.

Low Diversity Signals Vulnerability

Lead author Dr Barbara van Asch explains that in many sampling sites across the Limpopo River Basin, worms shared only one genetic “fingerprint.” This indicates very low diversity, which limits a population’s ability to adapt to environmental change or recover after heavy harvesting pressure.

In Namibia, populations showed less variation between different regions. In Botswana, overall genetic diversity was the lowest of the areas studied. In South Africa, the southernmost sampling sites—none of which are located within protected areas—showed the highest diversity, making them potential priorities for conservation.

Genetic evidence also suggests that mopane worms in Namibia have expanded over time, while populations in South Africa and Botswana have remained stable.

Implications for Harvesters and Rural Communities

Because mopane worms are harvested widely without consistent monitoring or formal record-keeping, it has been difficult to assess the true impact of harvesting on population health. The new genetic data fills in critical gaps and supports concerns over long-term sustainability.

Cross-border trade in mopane worms is substantial and worth millions of dollars. If genetic diversity continues to decline or local populations weaken, availability may drop—directly affecting food security and rural income.

Researchers say some populations may eventually need conservation support, such as moving individuals from genetically healthier populations into weaker ones. Protecting mopane woodlands is also essential as habitat loss remains a major threat.

Next Steps

The research team hopes to expand their genetic analyses to Zimbabwe and Zambia, where mopane worms are also commercially harvested. Their findings emphasise the need for improved monitoring, habitat protection and sustainable harvesting practices if this valuable species is to remain part of Southern Africa’s rural economy for generations to come.

’n Boerdery wat Hoop Bring: Die Wenfilosofie van Mooigezicht Landgoed

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’n Boerdery wat Hoop Bring: Die Wenfilosofie van Mooigezicht Landgoed

In ‘n jaar wat gekenmerk word deur ongekende uitdagings, van beurtkrag tot wêreldwye markdruk, het die tafeldruifboer Francois Rossouw Jnr. van Mooigezicht Landgoed in die skilderagtige Hexriviervallei ‘n inspirerende triomf behaal. Hy is as die trotse houer van die 2025 Toyota SA/Agri SA Nasionale Jongboer van die Jaar-toekenning aangewys—’n eer wat die beste jong leiers in Suid-Afrikaanse landbou vereer. Sy oorwinning is ‘n diepgaande erkenning van ‘n uitsonderlike bestuursfilosofie en ‘n innoverende, volhoubare benadering tot die land se kosbare landbougrond.

Die Keuring: Bestuur deur Waardes en Wetenskap

Die nasionale beoordelaarspaneel moes kies uit agt uitmuntende provinsiale finaliste, maar Rossouw se geïntegreerde leierskap het bo almal uitgestaan. Hy het bewys dat hy die onvervangbare menslike element en moderne tegnologie in perfekte harmonie kan kombineer.

Inus Oosthuizen, sameroeper van die beoordelingspaneel, het die kern van hul besluit met bewondering opgesom:

“Francois se geïntegreerde bestuurstyl, sy vindingrykheid en sy fokus op mense en kwaliteit het ons diep beïndruk. Hy is nie net ‘n uitnemende produsent nie, maar ook ‘n leier wat sy span bemagtig en sy gemeenskap dien. Van grondontledings en geoutomatiseerde besproeiing tot gemeenskapsdiens en geloofsgebaseerde waardes–sy leierskap is gefundeer in waardes én wetenskaplike beheer.”

Hierdie toewyding aan innovasie is tasbaar: slegs dae voor die nasionale toekenning is ‘n nuwe groot sonkragkragstasie by Mooigezicht Landgoed in gebruik geneem – ‘n daadwerklike bewys van sy diep verbintenis tot volhoubare energie en die bou van essensiële veerkragtigheid teen nasionale energie-uitdagings. Dit onderstreep die kritieke balans tussen Tegnologiese Beheer vir doeltreffendheid en Mense-Bemagtiging vir volhoubaarheid.

Sy Toekomsrol: ‘n Rolmodel vir die Jong Generasie

Vir Rossouw is hierdie nasionale titel slegs die begin. Hy sien sy rol as ‘n ambassadeur om leiding te gee te midde van die onsekere toekoms van boerdery:

“Die eerste tree is om in my eie omgewing, in my besigheid, en ook in my provinsie en verder in Suid-Afrika die geleentheid te kry om betrokke te bly by georganiseerde landbou en ‘n leierskapsrol te speel onder jong boere,” het Rossouw met oortuiging gesê. “Ek wil leiding neem vir die jong generasie met die uitdagings wat daar mag wees. Dit is absoluut belangrik om jong boere positief te hou, en ek glo ek moet ‘n voorbeeld stel vir hulle.”

Die Toekenning as Bevestiging van Spanwerk

Met groot nederigheid het hy benadruk dat die eer ‘n bewys is van spanwerk en sy diep geloof: “Ek sien hierdie erkenning nie net as my eie prestasie nie, maar as ‘n huldeblyk aan elkeen op die plaas wat daagliks hul hande vuil maak. Boerdery is spanwerk, en sonder my span, my familie en die Here, sou ek nie vandag hier gestaan het nie. Ek glo ons boerdery is ‘n roeping––en dit gee vir my ‘n rede om as vierde geslag steeds aan te hou.” Hierdie kollektiewe gees is ontroerend sigbaar gemaak toe Francois na sy plaas teruggekeer het, waar hy oorweldigend verwelkom is deur sy personeel en die gemeenskap—’n luide en emosionele bevestiging van die waardering en bemagtiging wat hy vir hulle toon.

Francois Rossouw Jnr. beliggaam die toekoms van boerdery: ‘n tegnologies-ingeligte, mensgesentreerde leier wat nou gereed is om die mantel op te neem as ‘n inspirerende rolmodel vir die land se volgende generasie voedselprodusente.

Grain SA Warns of Critical Conditions in the Wheat Industry

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Grain SA Warns of Critical Conditions in the Wheat Industry

Grain SA warns that the sustainability of South Africa’s wheat industry is in serious jeopardy, with producers facing escalating input costs, suppressed international prices and insufficient market protection. The organisation calls on all stakeholders in the upstream and downstream value chain – including the public – to urgently confront this growing crisis.

Grain SA appeals strongly to government, the value chain and consumers: the South African wheat industry is in a state of crisis. Rising input costs, depressed global prices and a tariff system that does not keep pace with market realities are pushing producers to the brink of financial collapse. If intervention is delayed further, local production may scale down irreversibly.

Tariff Development: R616/ton Trigger Activated

On 27 November, an import tariff of R616/ton was triggered, and the Government Gazette process was activated through SAGIS. This follows a final presentation by Grain SA and SACOTA to ITAC’s chief commissioners in October. The application—seeking an adjusted reference price and an automatic trigger mechanism—was submitted in June 2024 and now awaits finalisation.

Wheat Industry in a Critical State

According to Richard Krige, Chairperson of Grain SA, current market conditions and cost structures are simply not sustainable for local producers. “Bread is a staple food for millions of South Africans, yet few realise that the farmers producing this essential crop are under immense pressure,” says Krige. “With production costs of around R16 000 per hectare and a break-even point of at least 3.4 tons per hectare, current price levels are not viable”.

Key Facts About the Industry’s Impact

  • Wheat accounts for only 18% of the cost of a loaf of bread.

  • On a loaf costing R17.92, the farmer receives just R3.23.

  • Thus, an increase in the wheat price would not significantly affect the price of bread.

  • The industry supports approximately 12 600 jobs, of which 73% are in the Western Cape.

  • This excludes additional employment created by other value chain partners such as input suppliers, silo operators and logistics providers.

  • A collapse in local wheat production could cost consumers up to R643 million more per year to maintain the same quality of bread.

Urgent Actions Required

Grain SA highlights five priority interventions requiring immediate attention:

  1. A more effective import tariff system

    • An adjusted reference price.

    • An automatic trigger mechanism.

    • The current application is being delayed by resistance from the milling industry to changes in the reference price.

  2. Restrictions on imports during local harvest

    • Large volumes of imports just before and during harvest artificially suppress local prices and undermine producers’ income.

  3. Modern genetic and production technologies

    • Regulations governing new breeding techniques must be updated.

    • Including white wheat in the national basket will strengthen diversification and yield stability.

  4. Production support and risk management

    • Subsidised crop insurance.

    • A fairer location differential system on SAFEX.

  5. Restoration of effective transport and logistics systems

    • The cost of poor logistics is borne directly by both producers and consumers.

“If producers fall, the entire value chain falls”

Krige warns that the window for action is rapidly closing: “Without decisive and coordinated intervention from government and the full value chain, the wheat industry faces a real threat to its survival. If producers fall, the whole chain falls – and ultimately consumers and rural economies pay the price”.

Key Takeaways from the African Agri Investment Indaba 2025

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Key Takeaways from the African Agri Investment Indaba 2025

The African Agri Investment Indaba 2025, held in Cape Town from 24 – 16 November 2025 decisively shifted the continental agri-food narrative from simply identifying challenges to architecting actionable, integrated solutions. Attracting 59 active investors and high-level political and business leaders, the Indaba provided a clear blueprint for transforming Africa’s agri-food systems toward self-sufficiency and global competitiveness.

Capital Aligns with Innovation: The Investment Momentum

The event’s initial momentum was centred on the rapid alignment between strategic capital and high-potential projects. The “Seeds & Startups” track, powered by curated Investment Discovery Sessions (IDS), served as the epicentre for deal flow. The African Agri Council reported a robust pipeline of engagement, successfully bridging the gap between innovators and the necessary funding. Investment opportunities spanned critical, high-growth sectors, confirming investor appetites for ventures focused on:

  • Agri-tech & Fintech: Digital solutions essential for supply chain efficiency and farmer payment systems.

  • Agro-processing & Value Addition: Projects that transform raw produce into higher-value goods, creating jobs and reducing post-harvest losses.

  • Sustainable Agriculture: Climate-smart and regenerative models that ensure long-term productivity and resilience.

Logistics: The Missing Link for Regional Trade

A central, unifying theme of the Indaba was the critical role of robust logistics and functional trade corridors in unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential. High-level speakers, including H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo and The Honourable Thoko Didiza, underscored that policy must prioritise infrastructure. Data presented confirmed that intra-African agri-food trade remains low (16-18%) largely due to inefficient logistics, not a lack of agricultural capacity.

Experts argued that fixing the “logistics bottleneck” is a prerequisite for global competitiveness. Case studies, like the Lobito Corridor, demonstrated how targeted infrastructure investment could significantly reduce transport costs, cut losses, and make agribusiness viable, transforming local production into export-oriented value chains.

Scaling Protein and Building Resilience

The final day focused on “Walk-the-Talk” solutions, entering on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and food security. A crucial session on Securing Africa’s Protein Future highlighted the need to develop efficient, inclusive poultry and broader agricultural value chains, citing this as fundamental to reducing reliance on imported protein.

Furthermore, sessions on Innovative Financing for Climate-Smart Agriculture moved beyond theoretical discussions, showcasing successful blended finance models that de-risk investment and incentivise the adoption of CSA technologies. Leaders mapped out actionable pathways to feed the continent, emphasising that scalable, localised solutions—supported by appropriate technology and inclusive of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—are key to a holistically resilient and self-sufficient future.

The Indaba concluded with the prestigious Agri Investment Indaba Awards, celebrating the individuals and companies who have made significant, measurable strides in sustainable and impactful African agriculture.

TotalEnergies Cultivates Food Security Through School Garden Initiative in Saldanha Bay

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TotalEnergies Cultivates Food Security Through School Garden Initiative in Saldanha Bay

Three Saldanha Bay schools—Diazville Primary School, Masiphathisane Primary School, and Steenberg’s Cove Primary School—have taken a major step toward improving food security and agricultural education thanks to a sustainable food garden initiative delivered by TotalEnergies. The project aims not only to provide fresh produce, but to cultivate a deeper agricultural awareness among young learners, nurturing future stewards of the land.

A Milestone for Community-Based Agriculture

The handover took place on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 at Diazville Primary School. Representatives from the Department of Education, community leaders, project partners and school staff gathered to celebrate the establishment of the gardens. These gardens form part of TotalEnergies’ broader Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy, which prioritises long-term, practical agricultural solutions for communities.

Infrastructure Designed for Sustainable Production

Each school received a fully developed garden system that includes garden beds, tools, seedlings, and practical training for educators and learners. The approach supports both short-term production and long-term sustainability, ensuring that gardens can continue operating season after season.

Agriculture as Education

According to Baxolile Msomi, Communications & CSI Manager for TotalEnergies E&P South Africa, the project goes beyond food production.
“These gardens are much more than a source of fresh food. Through this project, learners will gain practical skills, while also helping communities to become more food secure. We are proud to partner with these schools in building long-term solutions that support education and nutrition,” Msomi said.

Teachers and principals echoed the importance of agricultural learning becoming part of the school experience. Diazville Primary School Principal, Lee-Ann Davids-Hartzenberg, highlighted that the gardens foster responsibility, environmental awareness and practical life skills that extend well beyond the classroom.

Strengthening Community Food Systems

The initiative supports a wider regional need: strengthening local food systems in semi-rural coastal communities where access to fresh produce can be inconsistent. By training learners in basic horticulture, crop care and sustainable growing methods, the programme lays foundations for long-term agricultural resilience.

The handover event concluded with a guided tour of the newly established gardens, a harvesting demonstration with learners and a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. These activities emphasised the community’s shared commitment to nurturing the gardens and ensuring their continued success for years to come.

Alhambra Estate Shines at 2025 Ceres Fruit Growers Awards

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Alhambra Estate Shines at 2025 Ceres Fruit Growers Awards

Alhambra Estate – one of the flagship apple and pear farms in the Witzenberg Properties group – emerged victorious at the 42nd annual Ceres Fruit Growers harvest awards, securing the Chairman’s Trophy for Best General Performance of 2025.

This win marks the eleventh time Witzenberg Properties has lifted the Chairman’s Trophy, but only the second time Alhambra has captured the honour under the group’s stewardship. The estate further cemented its excellence by also winning the Bronaar Trophy for Best Full Red Apples and the GKE Trophy for Best Kanzi Performance.

Witzenberg Properties proprietor, Pieter Graaff, praised the team’s collective effort, highlighting the long-term strategy and orchard redevelopment that positioned Alhambra for success. According to Graaff, the seventeen-year transformation of the estate was central to achieving its full potential.

Growing Conditions and Teamwork Drive Success

Estate manager Herman Botha credited the farm’s performance to Alhambra’s unique microclimate on the slopes of the Matroosberg mountains. The 2025 season offered ideal growing conditions, including ample water, excellent winter chill accumulation, and timely ripening that avoided harvest bottlenecks.

Botha emphasised that consistent, timely practices—from fertilising and irrigation to harvesting—played a major role in producing high-quality fruit. He highlighted the dedication of the management team and agri-workers, noting that the shared passion for the farm creates a culture of excellence.

Witzenberg Properties Sweeps Multiple Trophies

In addition to Alhambra’s achievements, several other Witzenberg Properties estates were honoured. Leeuwenfontein claimed the Umzumaai Trophy for Bon Chretien pears, Die Eike won the Laastedrift Trophy for Mahana Red apples, Dennekruin took the Tru-Cape Trophy for Fuji apples, and Esperanto secured the APL Trophy for Panorama Golden apples.

Production director Tommie Prins said the 2025 season was exceptional in yield, fruit quality, and market conditions, adding that the group continues to invest in new plantings, modern rootstocks, and orchard innovations. Their goal remains consistent: increasing the volume of Class 1 fruit through precision farming and strong orchard management.

Ceres

A Record-Breaking Season for Ceres

According to Frederick Odendaal, manager of producer services at Ceres Fruit Growers, the 2025 harvest was one of the best seasons yet for the region. Over 13 270 tonnes of Forelle pears were packed, and producers achieved exceptional colour development on key varieties such as Pink Lady and Mahana Red.

Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, congratulated growers, saying the awards showcase not only individual excellence but also the strength of the broader grower community. He praised the dedication and world-class orchard management that drive the success of Ceres fruit globally.

Honouring Excellence Since 1982

Ceres Fruit Growers has presented the annual harvest trophies since 1982. What began with seven awards has grown to 21 trophies, recognising a range of performance categories across apple and pear production. Winners are determined using a formula that considers fruit size, Class 1 packouts, price per tonne, and other quality metrics.

This year, forty farms across 2 850 hectares in the greater Ceres region competed for top honours. Industry contributors Nic Dicey and Dricus Greeff also received special commendations for their long-standing service to the fruit sector.

Full List of 2025 Trophy Winners

• Umzumaai (Bon Chretien): Witzenberg Properties – Leeuwenfontein
• Izak Hanekom (Abate Fetel): Welgemeen Boerdery – Welgemeen
• Culdevco (Cheeky): PJ Möller Jnr BK – De Vlakte
• Goosen Boerdery (Forelle): Eselfontein Boerdery – Eselfontein
• Morceaux (Packham’s Triumph): Rietvlei Fruit Farming – Rietvlei
• Dennekruin (Rosemarie): Eselfontein Boerdery – Eselfontein
• Laastedrif (Mahana Red): Witzenberg Properties – Die Eike
• Tru-Cape (Fuji): Witzenberg Properties – Dennekruin
• Lakenvlei (Golden Delicious): Sun Sweet Fruit – Waterkloof
• Môrester Houdenbek (Granny Smith): Eselfontein Boerdery – Eselfontein
• GKE (Kanzi): Witzenberg Properties – Alhambra
• APL Cartons (Panorama Golden): Witzenberg Properties – Esperanto
• Die Eike (Royal Gala Red): Welgemeen Boerdery – Welgemeen
• RM Zulch (Royal Beaut): Laastedrif Agri – Kleinvlakte
• Buks Nel (BigBucks Gala): Laastedrif Agri – Uitkoms
• Esperanto (Rosy Glow): Laastedrif Agri – Laastedrif
• Bronaar (Full Red): Witzenberg Properties – Alhambra
• Best Harvest Forecast: Rhodene Agri – Rhodene
• Tru-Cape (Gross Income/ha – Pears): Eselfontein Boerdery
• Tru-Cape (Gross Income/ha – Apples): Cedro-boerdery – Erfdeel 2
• Chairman’s Trophy (Overall Performance): Witzenberg Properties – Alhambra

The 2025 Ceres Fruit Growers awards highlighted a year of excellence, innovation, and resilience across the region’s orchards. Alhambra Estate’s standout performance reflects not only exceptional growing conditions but also years of strategic investment and an unwavering team commitment to quality. With multiple estates securing top honours, Witzenberg Properties reinforced its reputation as a leader in apple and pear production. As the Ceres region celebrates one of its strongest seasons on record, the achievements of its growers continue to elevate South African fruit on the global stage.

Minister Steenhuisen Intensifies the Battle Against Foot and Mouth Disease in South Africa

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Minister Steenhuisen Intensifies the Battle Against Foot and Mouth Disease in South Africa

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has acknowledged the severe difficulties confronting South African farmers, particularly dairy farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, due to one of the most damaging and persistent waves of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) seen in decades. In a media statement on November 26, 2025, the Minister stressed his understanding and shared determination to end the crisis, but conceded that the current trajectory is “a battle we are currently not winning”. Consequently, the Department of Agriculture is significantly strengthening its approach to regain control of the situation.

KwaZulu-Natal: The Epicenter of the Outbreak

As of November 2025, KwaZulu-Natal remains the core of the FMD outbreak, accounting for 180 of the 274 unresolved outbreaks reported nationally. Farmers in districts such as Kokstad, Dundee, Underberg, and Dannhauser have suffered significant losses, movement restrictions, and severe disruptions to their livelihoods.

Despite the vaccination of 931,200 animals using government-procured vaccines over the last three months, uncontrolled animal movement continues to undermine containment efforts. The Minister emphasized that this remains the single biggest threat to national containment efforts, stressing that the success of the FMD response relies heavily on law enforcement.

Strengthened Vaccination Strategy and Supply

The government is shifting to a comprehensive strategy focused on vaccinating the entire national herd. This initiative aims to position South Africa to apply to the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) for recognition of “freedom with vaccination” status.

The systematic vaccination strategy will initially target the hardest-hit provinces, including:

  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Gauteng
  • Free State
  • Mpumalanga
  • North West

This plan is contingent on a consistent, high-quality vaccine supply. The Department of Agriculture anticipates taking delivery of two million doses of FMD vaccines in two separate consignments by February 2026. Furthermore, an additional 1.5 million doses are expected to be made available through a joint effort between government and industry. To reduce dependence on imported vaccines, a new mid-scale vaccine production facility is also being established as part of the national biosecurity strengthening programme.

Key Industry Partnerships and Relief Measures

Minister Steenhuisen acknowledged the vital role of industry partnerships in the response. He specifically thanked the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO) for purchasing 50,000 vaccine doses for distribution to KwaZulu-Natal dairy farmers. Other industry players like the Red Meat Industry Services (RIMS) have also offered tangible contributions.

Specific dairy farms in KwaZulu-Natal have already received doses from these efforts:

  • Bergville: 3,000 doses
  • Estcourt: 2,500 doses
  • Winterton: An initial 1,500 doses, with an additional 3,000 doses to follow
  • Dundee: 4,000 doses (from government stock)
  • Spioenkop Dam area: 5,000 doses (from government stock)

In addition to vaccine rollouts, the Department has introduced limited relief measures for compliant farmers within the disease management areas, including permitting milk for local consumption after a single pasteurisation.

 International Support and Future Commitments

The government is actively working with the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to formalise public-private partnerships. International partners, including China and Argentina, have already offered technical cooperation and support regarding vaccine provision.

The Department is also committed to improving laboratory capacity to ensure quick sample analysis and timely communication of results. This strengthened response is part of a broader agricultural recovery programme aimed at safeguarding animal health, protecting rural economies, and building long-term biosecurity preparedness. The Minister reaffirmed the department’s commitment to stand with farmers through this difficult period.

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