South Africa is the only African country in the top 40 global agricultural exporters with an export value of $13.2bn in 2023. SA is ranked the 32nd largest agricultural exporter in the world. However, to boost agricultural exports to new frontiers and maintain access to existing markets, SA needs to prioritize crop and livestock breeding. Lerato Mbele is in conversation with Paul Makube, senior agriculture economist at FNB. 

South Africa is the only African country in the top 40 global agricultural exporters with an export value of $13.2bn in 2023. SA is ranked the 32nd largest agricultural exporter in the world. However, to boost agricultural exports to new frontiers and maintain access to existing markets, SA needs to prioritize crop and livestock breeding. Lerato Mbele is in conversation with Paul Makube, senior agriculture economist at FNB.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Lerato Mbele. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Mbele also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners makes sense of their world.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Lerato Mbele. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Mbele also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners makes sense of their world.

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Crop and Livestock Breeding Important to Boost Exports 

Debt is an important source of financing for development, but it needs to be sustainable. African debt has been growing significantly over the past decade. The African Development Bank Group estimates that Africa’s total external debt, which stood at $1.12 trillion in 2022, had risen to $1.152 trillion by end-2023. With global interest rates at their highest level for 40 years and as multiple bond debt securities issued by African countries reach maturity, there is no shortage of challenges in 2024. Africa will pay out $163 billion just to service debts in 2024, up sharply from $61 billion in 2010. The growing burden of debt repayments has the potential to threaten achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals on the continent, particularly in health, education and infrastructure.

Debt is an important source of financing for development, but it needs to be sustainable. African debt has been growing significantly over the past decade. The African Development Bank Group estimates that Africa’s total external debt, which stood at $1.12 trillion in 2022, had risen to $1.152 trillion by end-2023. With global interest rates at their highest level for 40 years and as multiple bond debt securities issued by African countries reach maturity, there is no shortage of challenges in 2024. Africa will pay out $163 billion just to service debts in 2024, up sharply from $61 billion in 2010. The growing burden of debt repayments has the potential to threaten achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals on the continent, particularly in health, education and infrastructure.

View of the Nation:  Africa’s Debt Crisis

Lerato Mbele is in conversation with Dr. Tk Pooe, Wits School of Governance lecturer.

Lerato Mbele is in conversation with Dr. Tk Pooe, Wits School of Governance lecturer.

This week’s Diary:  Wits school of governance lecturer – Dr. Tk Pooe

The 60th US presidential election will decide the 47th president – widely held to be the most powerful job in the world – and 50th vice-president. The candidates and their supporters are describing it as the most important election of their lifetimes with democracy and the American way of life are at stake. Record amounts of money have been raised and spent on campaign ads and ground games. Media coverage in print, on TV, online and on podcasts has never been more intense – or more polarized. 

The 60th US presidential election will decide the 47th president – widely held to be the most powerful job in the world – and 50th vice-president. The candidates and their supporters are describing it as the most important election of their lifetimes with democracy and the American way of life are at stake. Record amounts of money have been raised and spent on campaign ads and ground games. Media coverage in print, on TV, online and on podcasts has never been more intense – or more polarized.

Crop and Livestock Breeding Important to Boost Exports

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