Potato supply in South Africa: What a Cape Town restaurant's Instagram post got wrong
Golden Dish announced menu changes due to 'nationwide shortage of potatoes', but was that really the case?
Image: File
On a typical afternoon in Cape Town, well known restaurant Golden Dish would be bustling with patrons indulging in its famous potato-based delights.
However, when the management announced significant changes to their potato offerings due to a supposed nationwide shortage, their loyal customers were thrown into a stew of uncertainty.
The restaurant's hasty Instagram statement, which has since been deleted, warned diners of limited availability of the starchy goodness from the earth and potential price increases due to escalating ingredient costs, including potatoes and meat.
Golden dish announced that there will be changes due to what it called a nationwide outage.
Image: Instagram
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Amid the uncertainty, agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo took to IOL to calm Capetonians' fears.
"There is no shortage of potatoes in South Africa. Our supplies are healthy," he affirmed.
This sentiment obviously resonates with Potatoes SA, which is equally confident in the nation's potato supply.
Latest data showing potato stocks in various fresh produce markets.
Image: Supplied
Indeed, the latest statistics reveal that potato stocks across various fresh produce markets are remaining robust, countering the initial concerns voiced by the Golden Dish management.
Last August to October, South Africa faced similar murmurs of a potato shortage when consumers witnessed a surge in prices.
Yet, Sihlobo explained that earlier supply reductions were marginal and temporary, driven by panic rather than legitimate scarcity. This phenomenon mirrors a global trend; despite potato prices occasionally fluctuating, the overall supply remains stable.
In stark contrast to many regions around the world, South Africa enjoys the unique advantage of several potato seasons throughout the year, facilitated by production across 16 distinct regions.
This ensures an uninterrupted supply of potatoes year-round, dramatically reducing the likelihood of prolonged shortages.
Furthermore, Potatoes SA reassured consumers that the recent heatwaves across the country should not cause concern regarding supply, asserting that the disruptive panic often leads to trade complications and inflated prices.
While it's customary for potato supply to dip between April and August—largely because about 80% of the nation's potatoes are sourced from Limpopo—those worried about insufficient stock should take note of the healthy production cycle.
Potatoes, recognised as one of the five primary food crops globally, are cultivated on average across 51,572 hectares in South Africa, yielding over 107 million 10kg bags sold within fresh produce markets each year.
Current data shows that the average per capita potato consumption in the country stands at 37kg, with goals set to elevate that figure to over 40kg in the foreseeable future.
In spite of the Golden Dish post, South Africans can rest assured that there is no need to panic.
The country's resilient agricultural structure ensures that the potato supply remains reliable, despite the occasional hiccup in communication.
As the situation unfolds, both the restaurant and its patrons hope for clarity and stability in the world of potatoes, a staple that has captured the essence of countless home-cooked meals and beloved restaurant dishes alike.
DAILY NEWS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
5 hours ago
- eNCA
Australian trial says tech for social media teen ban can work
SYDNEY - Australia's world-leading ban on under-16s joining social media sites cleared a big hurdle Friday as a trial found digital age checks can work "robustly and effectively". Sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and X could face fines of up to Aus$50-million for failing to comply with the legislation, which was passed in November. They have described the law -- which is due to come into effect by the end of this year -- as vague, rushed and "problematic". There has been widespread concern over children's use of online platforms as evidence shows that social media can have negative effects on children's mental and physical health. Digital age verification systems -- which would be critical to the ban -- can work, said the interim findings of an independent Age Assurance Technology Trial, conducted for the government. "These preliminary findings indicate that age assurance can be done in Australia privately, robustly and effectively," it said. There are "no significant technological barriers" to deploying age-checking systems in Australia, said the trial's project director, Tony Allen. "These solutions are technically feasible, can be integrated flexibly into existing services and can support the safety and rights of children online," he said in a statement. In a separate interview with Australia's Nine Network, Allen said preventing children from circumventing age verification tools was a "big challenge", however. "I don't think anything is completely foolproof," he said. There are a "plethora" of approaches to age verification but no single solution to suit all cases, said the trial report, in which 53 organisations took part. Australia's legislation is being closely monitored by other countries, with many weighing whether to implement similar bans. Greece spearheaded a proposal this month for the European Union to limit children's use of online platforms by setting an age of digital adulthood -- barring children from social media without parental consent.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Wynberg faces ongoing urban decay issues following problem building declaration
263 Main Road in Wynberg has officially been declared a problem building under the City of Cape Town's by-laws and Law Enforcement has initiated eviction proceedings for current unlawful occupants. Image: supplied The derelict building at 263 Main Road in Wynberg has officially been declared a problem building under the City of Cape Town's by-laws — a significant step in addressing long-standing concerns about safety and misuse, said ward 62 councillor Emile Langenhoven. However, some residents argue the area is steadily sliding into chronic urban decay. 'The Wynberg precinct is no different from Yeoville or Hillbrow,' said property owner Andrew Charman. 'If Capetonians believe the City has the ability or political will to tackle complex urban management challenges, they are mistaken.' Charman, who owns property in the precinct, described the City's approach as rudderless. 'For over a decade, City officials and political leaders have promised stern action against problem buildings. A high court case against the Uli Heydt building was said to be imminent. Nothing happened.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He said socio-economic issues also need addressing, including medical support for homeless people with severe mental illness and the open sale of drugs. Langenhoven confirmed that while 263 Main Road was earmarked for the list in 2023, formal declaration only happened recently. 'The process involves inspections, compliance notices, and allowing time for objections or remedial action. 263 Main Road has now been formally declared a problem building. Law Enforcement is now empowered to proceed with evictions of unlawful occupants and to secure the premises.' Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said LEAP is deployed to crime-affected precincts to assist SAPS and is not assigned to Wynberg for by-law enforcement. In response to claims that the City's crime-fighting efforts fail to address the root causes of chronic urban decay, City spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo said, the Mayoral Urban Regeneration Programme (MURP) had deployed 12 Wynberg Ambassadors for patrols, focusing on crime prevention and reporting service faults. 'Community Safety ambassadors have been consistently present for the past six months and during peak seasons over the last three years,' he said. 'Additionally, MURP deployed two-armed response vehicles during the day and night with armed guards providing a visible security presence that directly addresses social challenges contributing to crime in the CBD area. These interventions had reduced crime within the CBD and Public Transport Interchange areas over the last few months.' Responding to complaints about grey water runoff, illegal dumping, potholes, and by-law violations, the City's Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said teams rely on logged service requests to identify faults like burst pipes and overflowing sewers. He further urged residents to always report such service requests to help teams to attend to these matters as quickly as possible. Cape Argus
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Law vs livelihood: JMPD removes informal traders from Winnie Mandela Drive
The streets between Winnie Mandela Drive and Boulevard Road, just before Fourways Mall, are usually bustling with activity, and it is all thanks to the informal traders who call this spot their workplace. That all changed on June 19 when JMPD officers swooped in, removing the informal traders and their stalls. The move was based on a call to action from the Fourways Improvement District, a non-profit company, Fourways Mall, and Ward 94 councillor David Foley, who said it is for a very specific reason: 'It's against the law to trade on provincial roads.' Also read: Informal traders, pointsmen, and traffic light tamperers, your days in Fourways are numbered Foley said that the area is slated for a beautification project, aimed at making the spot more welcoming to the visitors and shoppers at Fourways Mall. 'We are planning to beautify the area with plants, so that it is welcoming for people who plan to come to the businesses. It will also be easier for officers to monitor the area.' What does this mean for the informal traders who rely on this spot to make a living? Fatima Mashaba, from Diepsloot, said she started trading in the area in 2022. 'I don't know where to go because this is my only means of income. What is it that my kids are going to eat? I am aware it is against the law, because this is not the first time that the police came to remove us from the area, but there are no jobs. What can we do?' Also read: Community funding initiative continues in order to fence off informal settlement @caxtonjoburgnorth An informal trader on Winnie Mandela Drive and Boulevard Road in Fourways tries to negotiate if authorities can place them elsewhere to trade after being removed from the area. Video: Ditiro Masuku ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North She is not the only one, a second trader, who asked not to be identified, said the authorities should've issued them a warning about their visit, so that they could plan. 'It is not fair because it means today I did not make enough money. If they told us that they were coming, or said: 'Okay, today is your last day, tomorrow don't come here', it would've been better.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
