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
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…
Kosinflasie beïnvloed selfs dieet-diversiteit
OFM-nuus se landbouredakteur, Sabrina Dean, gesels gereeld met die landbou-ekonoom, dr. Kobus Laubscher. In vandag se gesprek gesels hulle oor versnelde kosinflasie en hoe dit ‘n impak het op dieët-diversiteit. Hulle gesels ook oor die situasie waar al hoe meer mense afhanklik is van staatstoelaes. Laubscher verduidelik dat bykans een…
Potato sector still feeling impact of drought and heatwaves
OFM News’ agri editor Sabrina Dean chats briefly with Potatoes SA CEO Andre Jooste about conditions in the potato industry at the moment. He comments on the lingering impact of drought and heatwave conditions towards the end of last year and the start of this year. He says prices started…
Agriculture news
Agriculture news, Thursday 9 June 2016. Broadcast on Before Dawn - weekdays from 5am-6am.
Access to finance critical for transformation in potato industry
Potatoes SA CEO Andre Jooste says the industry body is hosting its fourth transformation conference in East London this week, with the emphasis on how to address issues around access to credit.
Edenburg smallholder farmers express their gratitude
The Chairperson of the Edenburg Small-farmers Association, William Beck, says a feed donation from commercial farmers in the district will go a long way towards helping embattled emerging farmers:
Meeting to seek survival strategy for dairy industry
Milk Producer’s Organisation CEO Dr Chris van Dijk says they they will be meeting with a core group of producers in Kroonstad this week to look at the future of the industry:
Drought continues to plague Edenburg farmers
Edenburg Farmers Association Chairperson Andre van Wyk says commercial farmers are trying to assist communal and emerging farmers with fooder, as well as by providing mentorship and advice:
Concern as inland milk producers faced with closing up shop
Milk Producer’s Organisation CEO Dr Chris van Dijk says they are very worried about indications that a lot of inland producers could be forced to throw in the towel:
Wool growers seek to change with the times
National Wool Growers Association Chairperson Gillau du Toit says it is especially important to stay relevant to the younger generation:
Livestock owners, sellers and buyers urged to trade by the book
Chairperson of the National Livestock Theft Prevention Forum, Willie Clack, is urging livestock owners to protect themselves by ensuring animals are properly brand marked and says buyers and speculators should also conduct business in accordance with the Livestock Act.
Most livestock theft driven by organised crime
Chairperson of the National Livestock Theft Prevention Forum, Willie Clack, says only about 13% of livestock theft is for the pot. He says fraudulent or syndicated thefts are happening on a daily basis:
ANC 'misguided' to end probe into 'state capture' – SACP
SA Communist Party (SACP) leader and Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande has criticised the ANC for not further pursuing investigations into allegations of state capture. The SACP's central committee met in Johannesburg over the weekend. Nzimande says the leadership of the ANC is misguided in dismissing concerns about corporate capture…
Zuma says ANC the only party that can take SA forward
ANC President Jacob Zuma says South Africa is better off with the ANC in power and has urged the public to vote for the party at the August 3 municipal elections. He said the ANC was the only party that could take South Africa forward. Zuma also asked supporters at…
FS govt to host choral competition to promote unity through music
The Free State Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation is hosting an interdepartmental choral competition today in a bid to promote unity among the different government departments. The department's acting chief director, Vincent Khetha, says the competition will see choral teams assemble from the different government departments to contest…
FS Premier intervenes in provincial health department
Free State Premier Ace Magashule has intervened in what the Treatment Action Campaign describes as a health crisis in the Free State. This follows after he asked the TAC to brief his provincial cabinet about the problems in hospitals and clinics in the Free State. The TAC compiled a report…
Nehawu strike at UFS continues
Striking members of the National Education Health Allies and Worker’s Union (Nehawu) at the University of the Free State (UFS) have vowed to continue their action until their demands are met. The strike continued for a second day yesterday as wage negotiations continued. Nehawu provincial organiser, Jabu Makhubo, says members…
'Standard & Poor's won't downgrade SA to junk status'
An economics professor believes ratings agency Standard & Poor's won't downgrade South Africa to junk status. Professor André Roux of the Stellenbosch Business School's comment comes ahead of an expected announcement today by the American financial services company. Commentators are worried a downgrade will mean more bad news for already…