South Africa's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have indeed faced significant decline over the 30+ years of ANC governance since 1994, largely attributed to widespread corruption, cadre deployment placing incompetent or politically connected individuals in key roles, mismanagement, and lack of accountability, resulting in massive financial losses (e.g., R172 billion over five years through early 2026) and operational failures across entities like Eskom, Transnet, and Prasa.
The FMD vaccines remain completelyfree for South African farmers—the government, through Minister John Steenhuisen, pays for every dose, from buying them abroad (like from Argentina's Biogénesis Bagó and Turkey's Dollvet) to getting them to farms and injecting the animals. No farmer pays a cent directly.
South Africa has a vibrant community of economists who regularly make predictions about GDP growth, inflation, interest rates, the rand-dollar exchange rate, and other key indicators.
South Africa'sBroad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework aims to redress historical economic exclusion by promoting broader black participation through ownership, management, skills development, enterprise support, and preferential procurement.
South Africa’s heavy reliance on imported crude oil and refined petroleum products leaves the country — and its agriculture sector — highly exposed toglobal fuel price shocks, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East (particularly the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel), a volatile rand, and limited domestic control over energy costs.
The Cape of Good Hope has long been one of the most important maritime landmarks in the world.
South Africa is markingWorld Water Day on 22 March 2026 amid growing concern over the state of its freshwater resources, particularly in agriculture and rural areas.
The world of coffee in 2026 is everywhere—on nearly every corner, you'll find a coffee shop offering expensive, delicious specialty brews that have become a daily ritual for millions.
South African Agriculture Faces a Tough Year in 2026
For months, South African farmers watched the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak spread while their cattle, businesses, and livelihoods came under increasing pressure.
One of the most frustrating realities in South Africa today is the speed at which prices go up when fuel costs rise, and how slowly — or never — they come back down when fuel prices drop.
