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Official: El Niño in South Africa is back … Here’s what it signifies

· The South African

If the weather has felt a little erratic this winter, that’s because El Niño in South Africa is officially back. A major international climate agency – the NOAA Climate Prediction Centre – has confirmed the onset of this weather phenomenon. And there will be severe knock-on effects to rainfall, temperatures and food prices/production into 2027.

El Niño in South Africa is now officially confirmed due to above-average sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern Pacific. Plus, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society reports the pattern is only strengthening. Such events will only continue to influence temperature and rainfall patterns in South Africa.

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EL NIÑO IN SOUTH AFRICA 2026

El Niño – Spanish for ‘boy’ – describes the warming of ocean currents. For Southern Africa, that warming usually means trouble. Because during El Niño in South Africa the region typically receives below-average rainfall, high temperatures and potential for harsh droughts. The opposite of La Niña – Spanish for ‘girl’ – is the mirror of this …

It represents a cooling of Pacific waters and tends to bring cooler, more rainy weather. South Africa’s last La Niña cycle delivered the goods in 2024/25. As in, above-normal rainfall across the country’s summer crop-growing areas, which boosted yields. Sadly, scientifically confirmed, that run is now ending. And there will be consequences now and down the line.

WHEN LAST WAS EL NIÑO IN SOUTH AFRICA?

Differences in Pacific ocean temperature can shift these weather patterns. Used here for illustrative purposes only. Image: File

Much like the school calendar, everything runs in cycles and the last El Niño in South Africa ran through the 2023/24. As such, the World Meteorological Organisation confirmed late-onset rains, prolonged sumemer dry spells and heatwaves way above average. Before that, the 2015-2016 El Niño was classified as very strong and caused the worst regional drought in 35 years in the Western Cape with effects leading to water shortages of 2017. So, what does El Niño in South Africa in 2026 mean practically?

According to Investec’s Chief Economist, Annabel Bishop, like before, the knock-on effect will likely only bite in 2027. Current soil moisture should keep South African agriculture ticking through the third and fourth quarters of 2026. However, conditions are expected to sour heading into the next planting season of 2027. She’s flagged the issue of food inflation next year, lifting her forecast to 3.7% year-on-year (up from 3.3%).

But what do you think? Will El Niño in South Africa have a lasting impact into 2027? Share your thoughts in the comments section below …

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Laapataa Ladies actor Satendra Soni accuses filmmaker of assault over payment dispute

· India Today

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WATCH: Ramaphosa rallies nation ahead of Canada clash in FIFA World Cup knockouts

· Citizen

As Bafana Bafana prepares to take on, the Government and President Cyril Ramaphosa is once again getting behind the national football team, calling on South Africans to back the boys.

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Bafana Bafana take on Canada in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday evening.

This is the first time the national squad has advanced beyond the group stages into the knockout rounds.

Patriotism

The government has urged all South Africans to proudly wear Bafana jerseys, national colours, or other national symbols to support the team.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has led the way with an inspiring message of support for the team, mentioning Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Ramaphosa message

Ramaphosa is confident that Bafana Bafana will be victorious.

“At 9pm. 
South African time, Bafana Bafana will put our whole country and our entire nation on a global map once again. But this time, they are doing it as one of the top 32 football teams in the world, playing against Canada.

“I want to wish them every luck, they have really made us proud. They’ve played extremely well, and for the first time, the South African flag on the world football stage is flying very high,” Ramaphosa said.

Beating Canada

Ramaphosa says “he knows that our boys” is going to make every South African proud.

“When they take to that world football stage or pitch, they will dazzle the Canadians, and they will defeat them, and they will move to the 16 number of countries that will play in the competition, which is the knockout stage. I’d like all South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana and give them maximum support.”

Canadian Prime Minister

Ramaphosa said he will be chatting to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney.

“Later, I’m going to talk to the Prime Minister of Canada. I don’t know what he wants to say to me, but all I want to say is that we are going to win. I know this because our boys are playing extremely well.

So, collectively, let’s wish them luck, all of us let’s just rally behind them. I know our boys will come back, having achieved great results from the FIFA World Cup competition, Ramaphosa said.

Bafana’s 1-0 Group A win over South Korea on Wednesday evening in Monterrey was described as a “little miracle” by head coach Hugo Broos, as the team made it out of the group stages at a FIFA World Cup finals for the first time ever.

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