“Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts led commemorations under the theme “Rangelands: Recognise. Respect. Restore.” The focus was on protecting rangelands as biodiversity hotspots and sources of food security.”
South Africa joined the global community in commemorating Desertification and Drought Day 2026, emphasizing the importance of sustainable land management. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) highlighted rangelands as critical ecosystems that provide grazing, carbon sequestration, and water regulation. Projects in Limpopo and Northern Cape, supported by the Global Environment Facility, are restoring degraded lands and empowering communities through borehole installations and invasive species removal. The initiative underscores how ecosystem restoration can simultaneously address climate change, food security, and rural livelihoods.
