This is done in line with the mandate of Dr Mmaphaka Tau, head of the NDMC, under section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs says in a statement it should be noted that this is not a declaration but only a classification. OFM News' Elsabé Richard reports this classification is done to confirm that the situation is regarded as a disaster and is of a magnitude that exceeds the capacity of affected municipalities and provinces to deal with. Members of the public are further urged to continue observing weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service.

Agri Northern Cape will be adding its voice to others opposing Eskom's proposed electricity tariff increase of 20.5% during a public hearing held by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). Nicol Jansen, president of the organisation, says farmers are already bearing the brunt of high input costs such as fuel and fertilisers, and will not be able to afford higher electricity tariffs. He was speaking to OFM News ahead of the online hearing on Thursday.

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It is predicted that agriculture machinery sales will experience a decline this year. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, says last year was generally a good agricultural season for particular sub-sectors, such as the grain industry, which benefitted the interlinked industries like the agricultural machinery industry.

OFM News