have any) to acquire fodder for their livestock. Later on, they are compelled to slaughter animals at lower prices – of course only in cases where livestock has not yet died of hunger. The dying of animals has taken on unprecedented levels in remote and rural areas – in some cases even wiping out some emerging farmers’ herds and finances. Although Government implemented drought assistance programmes in KwaZulu-Natal worth R114 million, these funds were depleted within only two days in December 201526. The South African government announced in November 2016 that financial drought assistance will be provided to the several provinces that have been classified as disaster areas: the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape, the Free State, KwaZuluNatal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The total amount allocated was R212 million27. Considering that R114 million only lasted two days in one province, the question begs how long this drought assistance will help farmers from seven provinces. The amount is simply too low stabilise agriculture and affordable food supply. The economic situation in any country will to a great extent determine how the country will absorb the implications of a drought. The impact of rising food prices as a result of the drought will be much easier to absorb if unemployment is low and the people are fairly rich, for example. However, the situation in South Africa is not promising: Unemployment is at a record high and still increasing; economic growth is slowing down; and interest rates will most probably increase during 2017. It goes without saying that the South African economy and consumers are already under a lot of pressure28. 26 Willemse, J., Strydom, D. & Venter, M. (2015). Implications of 2015 drought on economy, agri markets and consumers. Available at http://www.growinggreatness.co.za/implications-of-lingering2015-drought-on-economy-agricultural-markets-food-processors-input-suppliers-and-consumers/. 27 Kruger, C. (2016). Staat gee nog R212 milj. vir droogtehulp. [Government gives another R212 million for drought relief]. Available at http://landbou.com/nuus/staat-gee-nog-r212-milj-virdroogtehulp/. 28 Maré, F. & Willemse, J. (2016). Expected implications of the 2015 drought on the red meat industry. Available at http://rpofs.co.za/images/nuus/2016/Expected-implications-of-the-2015-drought-on-thered-meat-industry.pdf.