Eco-Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 13 August 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# A possible La Niña event could lead to a wet start to summer across much of South Africa, with above-normal rainfall expected from October to December. La Niña is a climate pattern that describes the cooling of surface-ocean water along the tropical west coast of South America. The South African Weather Service says while most of the country will see increased rainfall, Limpopo is expected to remain relatively dry, with the driest period nationwide anticipated in September.

Meanwhile, Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo says despite recent heavy rains in the Western Cape, the wheat crop looks promising with only some areas too wet for optimal growth. The province is responsible for over two-thirds of South Africa’s winter wheat production. Sihlobo says if weather conditions, particularly in the Western Cape, improve for the rest of the season and a five-year average yield of three-thousand-78 tonnes per hectare in 502-thousand hectares is achieved, the country could have a winter wheat harvest of 1.89-million tonnes.

# And finally, SANParks will celebrate the 19th annual SA National Parks Week next month, with free access to most of its 21 national parks. The event will kick off at Marakele National Park in Limpopo on the eighth, and extend to the 14th and 15th at select parks. The project aims to promote South Africa’s natural and cultural heritage and foster awareness of conservation and sustainable development practices. SANParks spokesperson JP Louw explains the free entry does not cover accommodation or additional tourist activities: