OFM News
OFM News, in touch with your world. Covering local and national news focusing on the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and the Vaal. See more: https://www.ofm.co.za/News
Hundreds of pigs dead or destroyed in North West
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana says the outbreak has affected 20 to 25 owners. He adds that the virus seems to have originated in a neighbouring country.
Traceability about ensuring compliance and good management
Agricultural economist Dr Kobus Laubscher says traceability is about being able to say that the farm at which something is produced adheres to certain standards. This includes things like disease control, use of growth hormones and anything that can have an impact on the product.
SA lagging in terms of traceability practices
Agricultural economist Dr Kobus Laubscher says in a country like Namibia, for example, you can trace every cut of meat you purchase on the shelf back to the carcass and even further.
Feature: MeerKAT attracting international interest
The scientific community recently showed much anticipated excitement over the projection of the MeerKAT’s telescope’s first images. The image from a test observation done with the only four functional MeerKAT dishes thus far, shows stars in our own Milky Way Galaxy. Moeketsi Mogotsi spoke to the Chief Scientist in charge…
Youth Day, 40 years later
This year marks the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the June 16 1976 Soweto Uprising. OFM’s Moeketsi Mogotsi and Mark Steenbok spoke to the class of 1976 and 2016 respectively to compare the respective challenges of each generation.
Feature: Implications of drought at FS healthcare facilities
Water scarcity in the Free State Province still remains a serious problem, especially at healthcare facilities as some hospitals cannot conduct surgeries and have to refer patients to nearby hospitals. South Africa’s current water supply across the country is at critical levels and the drought's impact in the province is…
New Free State RPO chair upbeat despite challenges
The newly elected Chairperson of the Free State Red Meat Producer’s Organisation, Nelius Ferreira, says the drought has resulted in numerous interrelated challenges:
Feature: Setsoto Municipality’s Water Crisis
In September 2015, the Premier of the Free State, Ace Magashule, declared the province as a disaster-stricken area. The Setsoto Local Municipality was among municipalities that suffered from serious drought effects with water levels being dried up due to the lack of rain and this led to water supply being…
Drought declaration will unlock funding, prioritisation channels
Agri SA Executive Director Omri van Zyl says if the drought is declared a national disaster, it will pave the way for a better, more holistic response.
Nafu feedlot to cater for weaner market around Zastron
Head of the agri business section of the National African Farmer’s Union (Nafu), Reverand Otto Mbangula, says they have big plans to empower emerging and commercial farmers in the vicinity of Zastron in the Free State.
Concern over pending Orange River restrictions
Agri Northern Cape water representative Hoffie Joubert, says while they understand there are water problems, it is unfair that the people using water legally are the ones being punished while illegal water users continue as they please.
Roleplayers hold fruitful rural crime meeting
Agri SA Executive Director Omri van Zyl says they did not go to the meeting with an agenda to criticise police, but rather to provide specific interventions to address rural crime
Feature: Cellulitis, a dangerous bacterium
What happens when a simple cut becomes deadly? We often pay very little attention to cuts and nicks on the surface of our skin. Bacteria might enter the body through these little cuts, cause infection, and what seemed to be a simple cut, can become a major threat to one’s…
Afasa says Govt needs to take note of their plans
Hundreds of black commercial farmers were invited to a meeting with Free State Government in Thabong, Welkom. The Free State Chairperson of the African Farmer’s Association of South Africa (Afasa), Shadrack Mbala, says it is important that Government takes note of their plans.
Nafu highlights the value of Govt engagement
Hundreds of black commercial farmers were invited to a meeting with Free State Government in Thabong, Welkom. Reverend Otto Mbangula, the CEO of the agri business section of the National African Farmers Union (Nafu) says meetings like this are critically important to place the role of black commercial farmers into…
Leon points out that land does not equate to wealth
Former Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon was the keynote speaker at the Northern Cape Red Meat Producer’s Organisation Congress in Kimberley. Leon told congress transformation and land reform must happen but highlighted that Government has a misconception that having land equates to wealth:
It is easy to fall into the trap of a Pyramid or Ponzi scheme
It is easier to fall victim to a fraudulent pyramid or ponzi scheme than you think. The idea of zero risk, no strings, and a fast way to make money or get rich overnight are appealing to any man or woman under certain conditions. Andre Grobler spoke to the chairman…
Mountaineering the dangers
Mountaineering and the dangers of conquering especially the Seven Summits, which are the highest mountain peaks of each of the world’s seven continents, are highlighted again with three more climbers who recently died on Mount Everest. Among them was the South African born Australian, Maria Strydom, who fell ill with…
Feature: Auditor General report (North West)
None of a total of 23 municipalities in North West have received a clean audit in the 2014/15 municipal audit report tabled in parliament last week. Auditor-General, Kimi Makwetu, found a huge number of material misstatements and said municipalities needs a set of internal controls to improve their audit opinions…
Cathy Dlodlo speaks to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has asked Free State Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance MEC Olly Mlamleli to urgently intervene in the two matter in the province. This follows after the Commission made a follow-up visit to establish if the cases were resolved and their recommendations – that…