“Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts marked Desertification and Drought Day 2026 by urging South Africans to recognize, respect, and restore rangelands, which are vital for biodiversity, food security, and climate resilience. The government, in partnership with international organizations, is implementing projects in Limpopo and Northern Cape to rehabilitate ecosystems, provide water access, and create green jobs.”
On 17 June 2026, South Africa joined the global community in commemorating Desertification and Drought Day (DDD) under the theme “Rangelands: Recognise. Respect. Restore.” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, delivered a powerful message emphasizing the urgent need to protect and rehabilitate rangelands, which cover vast areas of the country and serve as biodiversity hotspots, carbon sinks, and sources of food and water security.
Rangelands are critical ecosystems that support livestock grazing, regulate water cycles, and provide habitats for diverse species. Yet, they are among the most vulnerable landscapes, increasingly degraded by overgrazing, invasive species, and climate change. Swarts warned that continued degradation threatens agricultural productivity, undermines climate adaptation, and jeopardizes the livelihoods of rural communities.
To address these challenges, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is implementing a Global Environment Facility-funded project. This initiative, titled “Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management for Large-Scale Impact in the Grazing Lands of Limpopo and Northern Cape,” aims to restore ecosystems while improving community well-being.
Concrete progress has already been made. In drought-stricken areas such as Rietfontein and Philandersbron, two boreholes were handed over to local communities, significantly improving access to clean water. Additionally, 84 beneficiaries—including women, youth, and persons with disabilities—were trained and employed to remove invasive plant species across 700 hectares. Special attention was given to the problematic alien Prosopis species, which has spread aggressively in arid regions, displacing native vegetation and consuming scarce water resources.
Beyond ecological restoration, the project is creating socio-economic opportunities. A small grant program launched in April 2026 is generating 10 temporary jobs focused on sustainable land management and food security. These initiatives demonstrate how environmental stewardship can be directly linked to poverty alleviation and rural development.
Deputy Minister Swarts emphasized that healthy rangelands are essential for climate resilience. They act as buffers against drought, floods, and soil erosion, while also offering opportunities for green businesses such as eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture. “Together we need to work towards ensuring sustainable land management and environmental stewardship to ensure healthier ecosystems and strengthened socio-economic conditions of rural communities,” she stated.
The commemoration also highlighted the broader context of climate change in South Africa. Recent floods and droughts have devastated provinces like Limpopo and Mpumalanga, underscoring the urgency of proactive adaptation measures. The government is working with municipalities to integrate climate risk assessments into local planning, strengthen early warning systems, and implement nature-based solutions such as wetland rehabilitation and catchment restoration.
Civil society and international partners have welcomed the initiative, noting that it aligns with global efforts to combat desertification under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). By focusing on rangelands, South Africa is addressing one of the most overlooked yet vital ecosystems in the fight against climate change.
Looking ahead, the success of these projects will depend on sustained investment, community participation, and effective monitoring. Experts argue that restoring degraded land is not only an environmental imperative but also an economic opportunity, as it can generate jobs, enhance food security, and reduce disaster risks.
As South Africa commemorates Desertification and Drought Day 2026, the message is clear: restoring rangelands is key to building a resilient future where people and nature thrive together.
