droughtlatest news & developments
Powered up: Chisamba solar plant supplies 100MW to the national grid. Photo: Supplied by Zesco

Zambia rethinks its energy future

The government plans to add 1 000MW of solar power to the national grid by 2027, with projects spread across the country

Africa’s floods and droughts are messing with our minds. Researchers are trying to figure out how

As climate change intensifies, experts say our health and healthcare systems are going to suffer. But mental health often takes a back seat

the country’s climate future is fast becoming hotter, drier and more dangerous. (Delwyn Verasamy, M&G)

South Africa’s major climate threats — from drought to deadly heatwaves

From collapsing maize yields to a possible cyclone hitting Richards Bay, a Wits expert warns that South Africa’s climate future is fast becoming hotter, drier and more dangerous

Hopeful: Residents of Blantyre attend a rally addressed by President Lazarus Chakwera before the 16 September election. Frustration with poor economic performance is high and a poll suggests 96% of Malawians are intending to vote. Photo: Government of Malawi

Malawi’s election is one of survival

The country has a collapsing currency and public sector, widespread hunger and corruption linked to the police, military and presidency

Crops are likely to improve in the Southern Africa region after the 2024 drought broke.

Zambia maize production bounces back

The country could return to being a net exporter of maize and the domestic prices to moderate, easing the general food price inflation

The South African agricultural sector is on solid ground for now and we shouldn’t be worried — but we should be vigilant.

La Niña may bring favourable weather, boosting optimism about food security in Southern Africa

The weather event is predicted to bring above-normal rainfall in January before easing up, but the northeast may remain dry

SA’s agricultural fortunes contracted in second quarter but a recovery is predicted

The mid-summer drought and animal diseases resulted in reduced crop yields and hurt the poultry, piggery and cattle sectors

In Morocco’s drought neighbours battle over water allocation

Severe drought brought a farming village to its knees, but unresolved conflict is its biggest threat

Grazing and plant poaching are also factors leading to the rare Prince Albert vygie dwindling. (SAEON)

Drought and warming a threat to endangered Western Cape vygie

Grazing and plant poaching are also factors leading to the rare Prince Albert vygie dwindling, researchers said

Farmer Takesure Chimbu combs through dry stover, salvaged from a failed maize crop which he hopes to save and feed to his livestock, which will have minimal pastures this year because of the El-Nino induced drought, in Mudzi on July 2, 2024. (NJIKIZANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Drought leaves Zimbabwe’s Kapotesa dam dry, villagers struggle for survival

In the Mudzi district, cases of malnutrition have increased by 20 percent over the past three months

Hardship: Crops have failed and water supplies are limited in drought-stricken Zimbabwe. Letwin Mhande (right) receives help from her neighbour
(left) to carry buckets of water from her allocation of four buckets of water per family a day from a community-run borehole in Epworth, an informal
settlement east of the capital, Harare. Photo: Jekesai Njikizana/AFP

People starve as Zimbabwe drought deepens

The country is one of several in Southern Africa experiencing chronic food shortages

The El Niño-induced drought and heatwave in February and March hit crops hard in Southern Africa. (Conrad Bornman/Gallo Images)

South Africa won’t be able to meet regional demand for white maize

The El Niño-induced drought and heatwave in February and March hit crops hard in Southern Africa

The broad moderation in grain prices underscores improved global supplies in the 2023-24 season. Photo: Martin Schutt/dpa

Global grain production good, but Southern Africa’s white maize crop hit by drought

South Africa imports all its rice and half its wheat so the exchange rate is a factor to watch

Through tackling stigma, community leadership and improving education, as well as strengthened global and domestic investment, HIV transmission can be reduced in Madagascar. (Photo by Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

El Niño brings hunger and drought to Madagascar

At least 1.3 million people in the country, one of the poorest in the world, already suffer from malnutrition