South Africa, buckle up, another adventure-filled day awaits in agriculture. On the top of our news agenda is the #jobssavelives restaurant protest kicking off nationwide today.
And there’s great excitement for episode 36 of the Farmer’s Inside Track podcast released later today. We also track minister Didiza’s budget cuts and a free online workshop on fruit flies.
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Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, take a seat
These are the words of the Restaurant Association of South Africa (Rasa), who is behind the #jobssaveslives protest billed as the biggest restaurant protest in the country’s history. Restaurants will from lunchtime block the roads outside their premises by dragging tables and chairs into the streets.
READ MORE: 800 000 jobs on the line in restaurant industry
Food For Mzansi will bring you the latest from the unprecedented protest, as well as related coverage. At 11:00 journalist Noluthando Ngcakani brings you an exclusive article with celebrity chef and restaurateur Reuben Riffel. The man behind the Reuben’s restaurant empire says government is treating citizens like its children. This after the controversial alcohol sales ban which has had a severe impact on, among others, the restaurant industry. And at 15:00, Kyran Blaauw reports on the covid-19 liquor ban experience of Danie de Wet and Beyers Truter, respectively Mzansi’s fathers of chardonnay and pinotage.
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New episode of farmers’ podcast
A new episode of South Africa’s biggest agricultural podcast, Farmer’s Inside Track, is also released around lunchtime. The show, hosted by Dawn Noemdoe and Duncan Masiwa, brings you up to speed with the latest movements in the fascinating world of farming and agriculture.
We catch up with Siyabonga Mngoma, owner of Abundance Wholesome Foods. Lianne Jones, the newly-appointed country manager for the Produce Marketing Association for Southern Africa, also shares her top business tip while indigenous goat farmer Emmanuel Mudau, talks about why he believes that farming as the best way of fighting poverty. Dr Johnny van der Merwe is back with the latest fruit and veggies market update.
How to listen to Farmer’s Inside Track
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device.
Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcasts.
Option 4: Click here listen using this player. Just click “play”.
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Budget cuts for core agri programmes
The covid-19 pandemic has forced government to make major cuts on the country’s budget for agriculture, land reform and rural development. Just under R2.4 billion has been cut, confirms minister Thoko Didiza.
In her budget vote during a mini-plenary session, she says the pandemic has compelled the country to rethink and readjust budget allocations for competing needs during this period. The initial allocation for her department, as per the February 2020 budget vote by the minister of finance, Tito Mboweni, was R16.8 billion. Food For Mzansi learns that agri-tourism is high on the agenda for today’s mini-plenary session.
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Free online workshop on fruit flies
This morning, InteliGro and Meridian Agritech are hosting a free industry-wide online workshop on fruit flies. The workshop will run between 09:00 and 11:30, and features industry leaders and experts who will be sharing information and solutions on the fruit fly problem in South Africa. Registration is free. Contact 056 343 3444 or info@inteligro.co.za for more information. Remember to tell them that you read about it on Food For Mzansi.
