Poor rain saw the agriculture sector contract by 14 percent, according to the latest figures from StatsSA. The drought "resulted in losses worth 16 billion rand ($1 billion) across the sector," an official statement said.
The continent's most advanced economy grew by an annualised 0.6 percent in the last quarter of 2015.
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund predict that South Africa's economic growth will be less than one percent in 2016.
Shortages resulting from the drought will see South Africa, the regional food basket, importing at least four million tonnes of the local staple maize.
Earlier this year, Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana said the country will need to import up to six million tons of food to avert hunger at home and meet its contractual export obligations to neighbouring countries.
The severe drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon has also affected most of the countries in the region, some of which traditionally rely on South Africa for food imports.
The government has set aside 502 million rand ($32 million) to deliver water and refurbish boreholes in some of the driest parts of the country.
Source: AFP
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
