Farmers across the country have welcomed the recent rains with relief and optimism. While there are concerns about the impact on infrastructure, the general sentiment remains positive, as the rainfall arrived at a critical time and brought much-needed relief, particularly in long-dry regions such as the Namakwa area in the Northern Cape.
Maize farmer Reggie Nkambule from the Free State said they had fairly good rains so far, which has helped them with their operations following dry months.
“We were hopeful that in April the rain would subside so that the crop could have a fair period to dry, for us to be able to harvest late in May or June. However, we will see how the weather behaves in the coming weeks,” he said.
Mixed blessings
“We are just hoping we do not have a devastating cold snap, which can bring frost that can lead to crop damage prior to harvesting. This is the only climate risk which I can foresee with this type of unpredictable weather. Otherwise, the rain has really been good,” Nkambule said.
Wanda Augustyn, South Africa Wine communications and brand manager, said the rain was very positive for the post-harvest recovery of vineyards and the rebuilding of reserves.
“The vast majority of the grapes are already safely in the cellars,” she said.
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Louisa Bezuidenhout, a livestock farmer in Upington, said they have received rains for a longer period and it has managed to ease the burden brought by droughts.
A fruit and livestock farmer from Thaba Nchu in the Free State, Tsholofelo Motlhale, said that the kraals are full of water, and food gardens are being washed away.
“In terms of livestock in the area, they are doing good, besides the weak ones that get stuck in mud or get carried away by the rivers because of slippery grass as well,” she said.
More severe weather expected
South African Weather Service communications manager, Hannelee Doubell, said the heavy rains expected in the central part of the country are likely to cause damage to infrastructure and loss of livestock.
Looking at the coming days, Doubell said, “Severe thunderstorms associated with flooding of roads and settlements, as well as damage or loss of infrastructure, property, vehicles, livelihoods, and livestock, especially over the Free State and North West. There is also a distinct possibility of damaging hail occurring in association with the thunderstorms.
“A cut-off low (COL) system is expected to make landfall over the western interior of South Africa. It is expected to move slowly eastwards and is likely to exit the country by Saturday. Snowfalls are also likely over the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape during this period,’ she said.
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