Modeling shows that sowing bambara groundnuts in October produces the highest yields across southern Africa. Researchers used five decades of climate and soil records to run simulations for 49 growing seasons, covering thousands of altitude zones in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini while accounting for frost risk and omitting unsuitable lands. The legume supplies fiber, protein and essential minerals, and scientists stress that broader crop diversity is needed for climate resilience.
South Africa
3 stories since 28 October 2026, newest first
30 October 2026
29 October 2026
South Africa's Olympic committee has named Durban as its preferred host city for a bid to stage the 2036 or 2040 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the first such Games in Africa. The South African cabinet has approved the bid. Acting committee president Lwandile Simelane said the bid would likely be spread across several cities, with some events held elsewhere, and Cape Town and Johannesburg were also considered. The preferred city must reach the International Olympic Committee by 31 October. Presentations to the IOC's Future Host Commission are due in November, feasibility reviews end in March 2027, and the host for 2036 is to be chosen in mid-2029. Seven countries have expressed interest in 2036. Officials have not yet released cost estimates.
28 October 2026
Conservation groups have removed invasive spotted bass from 8 kilometers of the upper Breekkrans River in South Africa, according to Mongabay. The work, run by Cape Nature, the Freshwater Research Centre and the Fynbos Fish Trust, extends the habitat of the critically endangered doring fiery redfin. Before the project, the fish lived in only a 2-kilometer stretch of the river free of bass. Mongabay reports that a downstream barrier has been built to stop the bass from returning to the treated section.