Latest news with #Engelbrecht
The South African
5 days ago
- Business
- The South African
SA cultivates world's most expensive spice with 'jaw-dropping' returns for farmers
Saffron – the world's most expensive spice – is being farmed in the Northern Cape on a small scale. But the returns are mind-boggling. Spearheaded by pioneers like Saffricon, this spicy venture promises not only substantial financial rewards but also a chance to revitalise drought-stricken agricultural landscapes. Livestock farmer Joe Kroon, from the arid Karoo region near Graaf Reinet, turned to saffron five years ago out of desperation when severe drought threatened his livelihood, and government offered no assistance. Importing corms (bulbs) from The Netherlands, he began cultivating the delicate purple flower, whose red stigmas form the precious spice. 'Every year that we've planted, it's got better and better,' said Kroon. 'It sort of exponentially grows each year.' Kroon's partner, Ross Blakeway, now expects their season yield reach about six kilogrammes. The world's most expensive spice, mostly associated with Iran and Afghanistan, is highly-prized in the culinary world and often used in Indian cuisine. Each saffron flower yields only three threads, and it takes about 150 000 flowers to produce just one kilogram. The threads have to be hand-picked, making cultivation highly labour-intensive. The returns however are jaw-dropping, according to Bennie Engelbrecht, founder of Saffricon. One kilogram of high-grade saffron can fetch up to R200 000, with a retail price in South Africa as high as R250 000/kg. Engelbrecht has spent the last seven years perfecting the art of growing this exotic spice on the dry plains between Williston and Calvinia. Saffricon is the largest commercial producer in South Africa, with seven hectares of saffron crops in the Piketberg area of the Western Cape. And now they're ready to share their secret. 'This country really needs something that can turn people's lives around,' said Engelbrecht. 'Saffron can be planted on a small piece of land and could potentially change your life.' Saffricon if offering interested contract farmers a three-year outgrower programme. It includes: Saffron corms (bulbs) supplied to farmers Training and ongoing support Guaranteed buyback of both threads and multiplied corms Rapid returns: plants flower in just 40 days after planting The labour-intensive nature of saffron farming also makes it a great source of job creation. One of the major perks of growing saffron in South Africa is that it uses very little water. While maize or wheat requires 500–800mm of water per season, saffron needs just 250–300mm. 'Saffron grows in areas where other crops fail,' added project partner Corné Liebenberg. 'This is a real opportunity for emerging farmers who want a niche crop with export potential.' This 'wonder plant' has no wastage either. The threads are a spice, and the petals go into medicine and cosmetics. The corms (bulbs) of the world's most expensive spice meanwhile are the farmers' asset as they multiply underground. What's more, saffron crops are frost- and hail- resistant too. For interested farmers, the message is clear: saffron offers a golden opportunity to cultivate a high-value, resilient crop with the potential for transformative financial returns. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
28-04-2025
- Climate
- The South African
Weather: Winter set to come early to Cape Town
Cape Town enjoyed a fine and warm summer, but as the season changes and winter approaches, there is set to be a sharp drop in weather temperatures this week. According to Windguru , temperatures will begin to fall from Tuesday, with a high of only 17°C and plenty of cloud cover around. The temperatures will drop even further by Thursday, and there is some rainy weather predicted as well for the Workers' Day public holiday. Friday looks like another chilly day for Capetonians, before things begin to brighten up on Saturday and Sunday as temperatures head back towards 20°C, while there should be clear skies and minimal wind. According to forecasters, as winter approaches, South Africa should expect to face a drier-than-usual season, including the Cape. 'Predictions indicate enhanced probabilities for below-normal rainfall. Temperatures are expected to be above-normal during this period,' said Christien Engelbrecht, Lead Scientist at the South African Weather Service. 'The influence of ENSO over South Africa is mostly restricted to the mid-summer months and the summer rainfall region. 'This means that neither El Niño nor La Niña will have a significant impact on the winter weather this year. 'The South-Western parts of the country rely on rainfall for water storage purposes,' Engelbrecht added. 'If the predicted below-normal rainfall occurs, water storage can be negatively impacted.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Independent
26-01-2025
- The Independent
Vietnam's vet home is burglarized the same day the family was holding his funeral
A late Vietnam War veteran's home was burglarized the same day that he was laid to rest, according to a report. Sgt. Patrick 'Rick' Jacobus, who served as a flight navigator in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, died in early January in Houston after battling cancer. His family held a funeral service on Thursday — the same day that a burglar broke into his home, Click2Houston reported. The ski-mask-clad burglar stole items of sentimental value, his family said. 'My heart sank,' Anne Engelbrecht, Jacobus' daughter, told the outlet. She was sucker-punched by the burglar. 'It just hurt,' she said. 'It's such a violation and it's just something I wanted to remember him by, you know? And I don't have that.' She was especially hurt because the stranger took items that had little monetary value, but were invaluable to his family, including his military uniform, his bomber jacket and his vintage coin collection. 'They also took the food that was in the fridge. They took the water and paper towels, like, just weird things,' Engelbrecht added. She didn't recognize the burglar, who was caught on neighbors' security cameras. He had apparently been checking on the front door multiple times across different nights, neighbors told the outlet. He even covered up one neighbor's Ring security camera before breaking into the late sergeant's home. 'I really didn't pay attention to them until he started covering up my door ring camera,' the neighbor said, who noticed him spray-painting the camera in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Engelbrecht understands she probably won't see those coins again, but she said she still hopes to see some of her father's possessions one day. She told the outlet: 'I just want my dad's uniform back, and I want that bomber jacket back to get my son.' He passed away on January 8 at 80 years old, according to an online obituary: 'Rick's passing is a profound loss, but his spirit will forever remain a guiding light in our lives. We are grateful for the time we shared with him and the indelible mark he left on our hearts.'
