AGP Executive Report

Offshore Exploration: South Africa has dismissed appeals against TotalEnergies’ plans for up to five exploratory wells in the Orange Basin. The minister added conditions on food security and coastal livelihoods, but conservation groups remain concerned about the project’s impacts. Heat and Fire Risk: Heatwave warnings cover parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, with dangerous fire conditions forecast across several provinces. Gauteng is also set for extreme UV and temperatures reaching 34°C, while Cape Town faces a wet weekend. Food and Drought Preparedness: With El Niño risks looming, calls are growing for drought-ready farming and stronger local food supply chains. An African food sovereignty manifesto also urges the continent to reduce reliance on imported food and agricultural inputs. Water Pollution: Residents near the Lesotho Highlands Water Project report foamy wastewater entering the Sekoai River from a construction site, renewing concerns about pollution near a water system that supplies South Africa.

Heat and Drought: Heat and storm alerts are in force in parts of South Africa as government plans drought measures for the 2026/27 El Niño threat to farmers. Water Security: A national action plan cited by Bowmans says 47% of municipal water is lost before reaching customers, while most water authorities and wastewater systems are rated poor or critical. The firm says private investment could help address the infrastructure crisis. Wildlife: A Kruger study found elephant carcass sites can alter soil, plants and grazing patterns for nearly eight years, showing how each death reshapes the savanna. Captive Lions: Parliament is pressing for funded reskilling and support for workers as the industry’s phase-out stalls; a transition plan exists, but implementation is lagging. Biodiversity: South Africa is calling for action ahead of COP17, while a UN report warns current national plans fall short of the 2030 nature targets.

Extreme Weather: Heatwave conditions persist in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, while severe thunderstorms threaten parts of the country, with hail, damaging winds and localised flooding possible. Drought Planning: Government is preparing for a potentially strong El Niño in the 2026/27 season, with grain-growing provinces including the Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo at risk. Favourable dam levels and soil moisture offer some protection, but farmers face heightened uncertainty. Coastal Protection: KwaDukuza has retained Blue Flag status for four beaches, with Tinley Manor Main Beach awarded pilot status. The programme assesses water quality, safety and sustainable beach management. Wildlife Health: Foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in a kudu at Addo Elephant National Park, raising concern for wildlife and conservation management. Green Innovation: Students from four African countries presented ideas in Cape Town for capturing and storing water, reusing plastic waste, generating renewable power and improving soil testing.

Climate and Food Security: South Africa’s 2026/27 farming season is on alert as El Niño risks grow. Cape vineyards face added strain after winter floods, and government says it will use El Niño findings to improve drought planning. Water and Weather: Mpumalanga dam levels dipped slightly but remain high; officials urge careful water use. Forecasters warn of severe storms, hail, extreme heat and fire danger in parts of the country. Waste: The environment department marked International E-Waste Day by urging households and businesses to take small electronics to recognised recycling points, not put them in household bins. Wildlife: The endangered Pickersgill’s reed frog has been spotted in KwaZulu-Natal. Environmental Pressures: A South African coal mine is advancing amid a legal challenge and concerns over water, while Cape Town’s Blue Flag beaches retain their status despite sewage concerns.

Climate and wine: Cape vineyards are recovering from winter floods but face a hotter, drier summer as El Niño threatens water supplies and increases heat stress. Early signs for the 2027 harvest are encouraging, though producers will need to manage water carefully. Just Transition: A new guide, endorsed by SALGA, will help all 257 municipalities bring land rights and local decision-making into climate planning, addressing gaps highlighted in coal-dependent Mpumalanga. Energy Storage: Eskom is seeking a partner for its proposed 1.5GW Tubatse pumped-storage project, a major long-duration storage scheme linked to the Just Energy Transition. Biodiversity: South Africa is heading to COP17 with a plan to halt biodiversity loss, while environmental groups in Cape Town protested at African Energy Week, calling for an end to new oil and gas exploration.

Severe Weather: SAWS warns of damaging thunderstorms in KwaZulu-Natal and strong winds in parts of the Northern and Western Cape, with a heatwave persisting in north-western KZN. Energy Transition: Environmentalists picketed African Energy Week in Cape Town, calling for an end to new oil and gas exploration, as Eskom seeks a partner for the 1.5GW Tubatse pumped-storage project to support renewable power. Wildlife Health: Foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in a kudu at Addo Elephant National Park, raising concern for wildlife and livestock. Biodiversity: A new global report says monitored wildlife populations have fallen 73% in 52 years. South Africa will press for fair funding and support for biodiversity action at COP17 later this month. Conservation Science: Research in Kruger National Park finds elephant remains can reshape the landscape for nearly a decade, first suppressing plant life, then creating nutrient-rich feeding areas. Climate Readiness: Agriculture groups say strong dam levels and grain stocks offer South Africa a better starting position as El Niño threatens the coming summer season.

Fossil Fuel Debate: Climate activists picketed African Energy Week in Cape Town, urging an end to new oil and gas exploration and warning of risks to communities and ecosystems. The government and industry argue that more energy investment is needed for security and development. Pollution: Residents near Johannesburg’s Kya Sands landfill say recurring waste fires still cause breathing problems, a year into a R150-million rehabilitation project; the City says 98,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste have been removed. Food Security: Household hunger reached its highest level since 2010 in 2025, with 12% of households reporting hunger as South Africa’s food security score fell. Conservation: CapeNature added 44,231 hectares to protected areas and cleared invasive plants across more than 23,000 hectares, while the Eastern Cape has gained a 10,225-hectare Grasslands National Park.

Severe Weather: South Africa’s weather service has warned of storms in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with heatwave conditions continuing in parts of KZN. Biodiversity Funding: Ahead of COP17, South Africa is calling for more finance, technology and practical support to help countries meet global targets to halt nature loss. Water Security: Cape Town is investing R43 billion in water projects as the city plans for future supply pressures. Marine Life: A report warns of starving penguins and declining sardines, while the sardine catch limit is due to end on 30 October; officials say no new reports of dead fish have emerged. Climate and Food: El Niño risks are sharpening calls for climate-resilient food systems, while new grape cultivars are being developed for a changing climate. Animal Welfare: The Constitutional Court has dismissed hunters’ challenge to South Africa’s animal well-being law.

Extreme Weather: SAWS has warned of severe storms in the Eastern Cape and heatwave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal, while Gauteng is bracing for a hot week. The mix of heat and thunderstorms raises risks for communities, farms and infrastructure. Clean Energy: Construction has begun on the 49 MW Lion Thorn Solar Park in North West. Expected to generate 115 GWh a year from 2028, it will supply businesses including cement producer PPC and avoid an estimated 104,190 tonnes of emissions annually. Climate-Resilient Farming: As El Niño raises the prospect of hotter, drier conditions, calls are growing for climate-resilient food systems. Farmers are also turning to drought-tolerant crops such as bambara groundnut. Wildlife and Coasts: Reports of starving penguins and dying sardines have renewed concern over species protection, while South Africa aims to grow its Blue Flag beach tally to 100 by 2030.**

Climate and Food: A strong El Niño could bring hotter, drier conditions to South Africa this summer, threatening maize yields and household food budgets. Experts say climate plans must prepare the whole food system, from farms to consumers. Restoration: A low-cost spekboom trial in the Eastern Cape is testing whether the hardy succulent can help overgrazed Albany thicket recover, with potential for carbon farming. Climate-ready Farming: Winelands growers are planting resilient grape cultivars that place less strain on the environment as conditions change. Environmental Oversight: Parliament has flagged weak waste management and climate monitoring: four provinces lack approved waste plans, while greenhouse-gas data availability fell to 62%, below the 85% target. Wildlife Protection: The Constitutional Court rejected hunters’ bid to remove animal-wellbeing protections from biodiversity law, keeping wellbeing in decisions about wild animals. Weather: A yellow-level severe-thunderstorm warning is in place for much of the Eastern Cape, while a heatwave continues in north-western KwaZulu-Natal and fire danger is high in several areas.

Severe Weather: Storms, hail and heavy rain threaten parts of South Africa, while extreme veld-fire danger is forecast in several areas. Climate-Resilient Farming: New maps identify where southern African farmers can grow drought-tolerant bambara groundnut, an indigenous crop that could strengthen food security as climate shocks threaten harvests. Conservation: The Eastern Cape has gained a 10,225-hectare Grasslands National Park, and tiny insects are being used to tackle water hyacinth on Hartbeespoort Dam. Coasts and Water: Four more Cape Town beaches are being considered for Blue Flag status as South Africa aims for 100 certified beaches by 2030; meanwhile, a 20-billion-litre boost is planned for Cape Town’s water security. Waste: South Africa’s tyre piles keep growing as a R1-billion recycling plan falters.

El Niño and Food Security: Church leaders warn extreme El Niño conditions could deepen hunger, push migration into South Africa and inflame xenophobic tensions. They’re urging government to prepare and churches to set up food banks. Conservation: The Eastern Cape has gained a 10,225-hectare Grasslands National Park, while South Africa is aiming for 100 Blue Flag beaches by 2030, with four more Cape Town beaches in line for the status. Waterways: Tiny insects are being used to tackle invasive water hyacinth on Hartbeespoort Dam. Environmental Accountability: Two directors and three Gupta-linked mining companies were convicted over R107.5-million in mine rehabilitation funds diverted without cleanup work. Weather Risks: Severe thunderstorms are forecast for parts of the Eastern Cape on Sunday, with very high veld-fire danger in parts of the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Mine Rehabilitation: Two directors and three Gupta-linked companies were convicted of fraud and money laundering involving R107.5 million set aside to restore the Optimum and Koornfontein mines. Sentencing is due on 1 December. Conservation: The Eastern Cape has gained a 10,225-hectare Grasslands National Park, adding new protection for the province’s natural landscapes. Severe Weather: Yellow Level 2 warnings signal risks of heavy rain, hail and damaging winds in parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, with possible local flooding. Waste and Water: South Africa’s R1-billion tyre-recycling plan is faltering as waste piles up, while pollution has halted the Rietvlei water plant.

Severe Weather: Heavy rain, hail and damaging winds are forecast for parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, with localised flooding possible. Mine Rehabilitation: Five Gupta-linked companies and directors were convicted over R107.5 million diverted from funds meant to repair damage at two Mpumalanga coal mines. Conservation: The Eastern Cape has gained a 10,225-hectare Grasslands National Park. Clean Energy: A University of Johannesburg study says rooftop solar could help Joburg businesses cut grid use by up to 97%. Wildlife: A study found painting one wind-turbine blade reduced bird deaths by 83% at a South African site. Animal Welfare: The Constitutional Court dismissed SA Hunters’ challenge to animal-wellbeing provisions because it was brought too late.

Water Pollution: Pollution has halted the Rietvlei water treatment plant, raising fresh concerns about contamination and pressure on South Africa’s water supply. Circular Economy: Khayelitsha brothers are turning invasive water hyacinth into biochar, creating a local business from a plant that threatens waterways. Cleaner Energy: A new partnership aims to decarbonise Kruger National Park without compromising conservation. Cape Town Water Security: The City and The Nature Conservancy are extending invasive-plant clearing in catchments, a programme expected to add about 20 billion litres of water a year to the supply system. Climate Readiness: El Niño risks are sharpening concerns about drought, food and energy; South Africa’s environment department says the country needs greater resilience to climate change.

Clean Energy: A new partnership will let Kruger National Park source about a quarter of its electricity from renewables, advancing lower-carbon park operations in its centenary year. Water Security: Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II is designed to raise annual water delivery capacity to South Africa from 780 million to more than 1.27 billion cubic metres, while adding hydropower in Lesotho. Climate Risks: Forecasters warn a powerful El Niño could bring disruptive weather and pressure food and energy supplies; South Africa is also preparing for a drier 2026/27 season and possible maize-price impacts. Local Environment: Cape Town officials say muddy sediment from pump-station works caused discoloured water flowing into Milnerton Lagoon; the discharge had stopped after an inspection, and the city says it will keep monitoring the outlet. Mining Safety: South Africa’s tailings dams remain under scrutiny over weak regulation and the risk of deadly failures.