The Untold

 -  Farmers preparing for the 2024/2025 rainy season ABIGAIL CHIFUSA Royd Michelo applying heavy mulching on his farm. The 2023/2024 farming season experienced severe drought attributed to El Niño conditions, which devastated Zambia’s agricultural sector, impacting over six million people.  Maize production, the backbone of Zambia’s food security, saw a decline of over 50 percent, increasing food prices and leaving many households vulnerable.  As Zambia gears up for the 2024/2025 season, meteorological projections and expert advice highlight the importance of climate-resilient farming practices. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is transitioning into a weak La Niña phase, expected to bring normal rainfall across much of the country with episodes of heavy rain and flooding in some areas.  To adapt to these conditions, farmers are urged to align their agricultural practices with region-specific rainfall forecasts, as outlined by veteran farmer and scientist ...

LEAVING Cape Town International Airport, we are greeted by a breathtaking sight- the iconic Table Mountain looming in the distance, its dark silhouette seemingly cloaked in mist. Yet, as we drew closer, the mountain revealed itself, its flat-topped summit standing proudly against the sky. Our journey into Cape Town offered a glimpse into the city’s diverse landscape.  The drive revealed a contrast of dense residential areas where houses seemed to merge into one another, their divisions unclear from a distance.  Clean roads led us through the town center   bustled with life, on one side characterised by a dense network of rail lines, branching off in various directions like arteries of connectivity, contrasted sharply with the makeshift shelters of homeless individuals (squatters) who have crafted makeshift homes from cardboard and boxes, transforming humble materials into shelters they proudly call home. Venturing further into Cape Town, the vibrant pulse of the city beca...