By Maile Matsimela
The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is calling all farmers and farming communities to be vigilant and take precautionary measures against the cold weather conditions expected until Sunday, 15 June 2025.
This follows a warning from the South African Weather Services (SAWS) that indicates we are expecting snowfall, mostly moderate, today over the southeastern parts of the Northern Cape, and the western and southern parts of the Free State due to a cut-off low.
According to the SAWS, this intense cold front might lead to isolated loss of vulnerable livestock and crops. Passes and cross-border roads including mountain peaks may be affected by snow.
Elzabe Rockman, the MEC of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, is urgently appealing to all farmers to be vigilant and prepare for these severe weather conditions as it is also the beginning of the annual veld fire season.
“We are seriously concerned about the potential dangers these weather conditions pose, particularly to farmers and farming communities. I urge all farmers to take the necessary steps to protect their lives, livestock and crops against adverse weather conditions. We also urge all communities to ensure they take proper precautionary measures to manage fire as a source of heating and cooking. Avoid making fires in windy conditions, never leave fires unattended and ensure fires are properly extinguished,” said MEC Rockman.
The increasing frequency of natural disasters, such as veld fires, snow, drought, and floods, poses serious threats and risks to the agricultural sector and ultimately to food security in the province and the country at large.
