As part of the celebration of Disability Pride Month in South Africa, the DairyRise Project, implemented by the Agricultural Research Council for Animal Production (ARC-AP), shared an inspiring story of a small farmer from the North West province. His perseverance shows that disability is not a barrier to success in agriculture.
This farmer, who suffers from a physical disability affecting his mobility, is a beneficiary of the DairyRise Project. Despite daily challenges, he continues to develop his farming enterprise, utilizing every opportunity for learning and growth. His experience highlights the importance of inclusive agricultural support and access to development programs that allow all farmers to realize their potential.
The DairyRise Project began providing registered farmers with key services, including milk sample collection, milk quality monitoring, and technical support. During one such scheduled visit, the project team met a farmer whose resilience and dedication made a lasting impression.
As part of the program, the team visited his farm to perform regular procedures of the DairyRise scheme, such as taking milk samples, providing feedback on milk quality and production methods, and farm management. Personalized support ensures that he receives the same opportunities as other farmers while accommodating his specific needs.
His story is similar to those of many South Africans who have overcome adversity and succeeded in agriculture. Among them is Realeboga Mangwegaphe, a twice amputee from Tzaneen, who established a thriving livestock enterprise despite losing both legs. Like Mangwegaphe, this DairyRise beneficiary proves that success in farming is determined not by physical ability, but by persistence, passion, and willingness to learn.
For him, farming is more than just a source of income; it is proof that obstacles can be overcome with the right support system and mindset. He shares a simple yet powerful message with fellow farmers: 'Don't give up. Whether you have a disability or not, knowledge is available, and support is accessible through ARC-AP, DairyRise. All you need is the desire to learn and the determination to continue.'
The DairyRise Project continues to show how inclusive agricultural development can transform lives and strengthen rural communities. By ensuring access for farmers of all social strata and abilities to training, technical assistance, and milk registration services, the initiative helps unlock the potential of South Africa's small dairy sector.
Since Disability Pride Month reminds us of the value of inclusivity and equal opportunities, stories like these serve as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when determination meets support. Thanks to programs like DairyRise, the future of agriculture is becoming more inclusive, productive, and accessible, ensuring that no farmer is left behind.
Thousands of Moroccan residents illegally enter Spain by crossing the sea border, leading to an unusual situation in the city of Ceuta. People from Morocco arrive in Spain chanting slogans in support of Spain and enter via the sea, while Spanish border guards are unable to take countermeasures other than demanding they leave.
Due to thousands of migrants entering this small Spanish region, Spain has announced the deployment of its military forces in Ceuta to restore order. Nine people died during these events. The question arises as to why this happens every year, and why thousands of people from Morocco, including youth, children, and women, seek to enter a European country.
To understand this situation, it is necessary to examine the unique geographical position of Spain and Morocco. Spain is a European country, whereas Morocco is located on the African continent, separated by the sea. Nevertheless, Moroccans reach Spain. The answer lies in the historical and geographical position of these two countries.
The city of Ceuta, located on the northern coast of Africa in Morocco, is near the Strait of Gibraltar, between Europe and Africa. History shows that Ceuta has been under Spanish control since 1580; previously, this area was controlled by Portugal. After the unification of Portugal and Spain, Ceuta became a Spanish enclave and remains so to this day.
This city, under Spanish jurisdiction, borders Morocco by land. However, due to strict land border security, people cannot enter this area. Where the border between Morocco and Ceuta runs by land, the sea begins, and passages into Ceuta open up across the sea.
Ceuta's geographical location is isolated from mainland Spain, but due to its location in Africa, it is connected to Morocco by land. This has made it an entry point for migrants who have long tried to reach Europe.
If you look at a map of Ceuta, you can see entry points from Morocco by sea. These include Tarajal beach, located at the southern end of Ceuta, and Benchouica beach, through which one can also enter the Spanish region.
The crowd that arrived in Ceuta on Thursday entered specifically through Tarajal beach. Videos show a gathering of people around embankments at Tarajal beach, most of whom were Moroccans. Although young men predominated among them, families with women and small children were also present.
Representatives of the Spanish government reported that at least nine people died as a result of the chaos on Thursday. It is not yet clear what caused such a large number of migrants heading to Ceuta. However, this is not the first case. Local authorities note that dozens of people have died this year trying to reach Ceuta.
According to a CNN report, official representatives of Morocco did not publicly comment on these border crossing incidents, and the Ministry of the Interior did not respond to requests for comment.
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior stated that the Moroccan government is cooperating with Spain to solve this problem, and Moroccan police stop many people attempting to cross the border.
In the city of Ceuta, considered a gateway to Europe, sounds of gunfire are heard. Thousands of migrants from North Africa cross the border, striving to reach this small city in search of a better life, but they encounter harsh actions from the police and security forces.
As a result of these clashes, 32 people have died, raising serious questions about human rights observance worldwide. Notably, the city that has become the center of this conflict is surrounded by Moroccan territory but is under Spanish administration. Questions arise regarding the ancient history that made Ceuta part of Europe, and why Morocco considers it its territory.
Over the past week, thousands of migrants from Morocco have arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located in North Africa. The President of Ceuta reported that about 60,000 migrants from Morocco entered Ceuta, which accounts for 70 percent of the city's total population. The President of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivás, noted that the current situation is unprecedented. During the riots, drownings, and actions of security forces, 34 people died.
Spain has deployed the army and additional police forces to stabilize the situation. According to media reports, attempts by thousands of migrants to cross the border in one day have become the largest crisis since 2021. Ceuta is the closest route to reaching Spain; people can get there by swimming, climbing fences, or breaking through checkpoints.
Photos and videos from Ceuta are shocking: when checkpoints open, crowds of people run, ignoring all security measures and crossing the border. Young people predominate among them. Hundreds of people swimming towards Spain were spotted in Reuters posts.
The minimum sea distance between Spain and Morocco is about 14 kilometers, between Punta de Tarifa in Spain and Punta Sireas in Morocco in the Strait of Gibraltar. However, the situation is different when talking about Ceuta. Ceuta borders Morocco directly, having a land border of about 8.2 kilometers. Therefore, migrants often try to enter Ceuta by jumping over fences or across the seashore.
The main reason is that Spain is a wealthy European country with job opportunities and a better future, whereas Morocco is a poor country from which young people leave in search of employment.
A recent decision by the Spanish Supreme Court is explained by the court ruling that migrants detained at sea near Ceuta cannot be immediately deported under old rules, unlike the former 'border refusal' practice. This gave migrants hope of settling in Spain, prompting them to enter the country by any means.
Furthermore, Spain is working on a plan to grant legal status to approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez maintains a relatively liberal policy towards migrants, supporting legal immigration, refugee reintegration, and granting permanent status to long-term undocumented residents.
After the incident, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated on X that the government guarantees the safety of Ceuta's residents and will increase the presence of security forces and the Corps in the city streets. He also announced that a physical barrier would be established in the sea to facilitate the deportation of people in accordance with the Supreme Court's ruling. Additionally, cases for the return of migrants who arrived without permits will be expedited, and cooperation with Moroccan authorities in combating human trafficking will continue.
According to information released by INE, women represent 49.6% of the population of Cape Verde. Regarding education, the literacy rate among women aged 15 or over reaches 85.7%, with only 8.5% having never had access to an education system.
Analyzing the resident female population aged four years or older, it is observed that 37.1% have basic education, 42.9% completed secondary education, and 13.6% hold medium or higher level qualifications; 4.5% have no level of schooling.
In terms of the labor market, 50.5% of women aged 15 or over are employed. The indicators also highlight the use of information and communication technologies (ICT): 79.2% of women aged 10 or over own a mobile phone, and 77.7% use the internet in the three months preceding the survey.
Additionally, the data reveals a high participation of women in unpaid work (UPW), with a rate of 78.1%. Women dedicate an average of 22 hours and 42 minutes per week to these activities, a time higher than the 18 hours and 55 minutes recorded in the general population average.
These indicators were collected through the Continuous Multiobjective Survey (IMC) 2025 and the Unpaid Work Survey (MUT 2024), both conducted by INE. Furthermore, official data indicates that the Cape Verdean diaspora totals approximately 1.5 million individuals, including Cape Verdeans and their descendants, which represents almost three times the number of residents in the archipelago, which is around 500 thousand inhabitants.
Ceuta officials link this wave of migrants to a ruling by the Supreme Court of Spain made at the beginning of this month. It stated that migrants arriving by sea cannot be immediately deported across the border without proper legal procedure. In contrast, people entering by land, for example, by climbing over the border fence, are immediately sent back.
Some Moroccan human rights activists have expressed doubt that the Spanish court ruling caused a sudden increase in the number of migrants. They argue that most migrants are unaware of such legal decisions.
Another reason is the Schengen system of Europe. The Schengen area is a system of open borders covering 29 European countries. These countries have officially abolished their internal borders. Thus, Spain becomes the first gateway to Europe for these migrants. Residents of Morocco arrive in Ceuta seeking better economic opportunities or to escape violence in their home countries, and then continue their journey to other European countries in search of a better life.
How do migrants reach Ceuta?
To reach Ceuta, located on the northern African coast, migrants often swim about 5 kilometers from the town of Fnideq in Morocco and reach Spanish territory. Some other people try to cross the border from the nearby town of Melilla, where the distance is shorter.
Scenes of crowds at the border resemble the crisis of 2021, when more than 8,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta in just two days. At that time, accusations were made that Morocco had weakened border control and allowed migrants to enter Ceuta.
This happened because Spain allowed Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, to receive treatment in a Spanish hospital, which caused a diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Madrid. For decades, the Polisario Front, advocating for independence, has presented itself as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, a disputed region of Morocco. Thus, the Moroccan government sometimes unofficially allows its citizens to enter Europe, while suffering people from Africa rush into the sea in search of entry into Spain for a better life.
Geographically, Ceuta is located on the northern coast of Morocco in Africa, but politically it is an autonomous city of Spain. The history of this place spans about 600 years. In 1415, Portugal captured Ceuta. Later, in 1580, Portugal and Spain entered into a union monarchy. When Portugal separated in 1640, the local rulers of Ceuta decided to remain with Spain. After the 1688 treaty, Ceuta officially became part of Spain. Today, it is also part of the European Union, although located on the African continent.
Morocco claims that Ceuta and Melilla are colonial remnants on its territory that were seized by Spain and should be returned. Spain, in turn, insists that Ceuta is an integral part of it for centuries, and most residents there also wish to live with Spain. Because of this, the issue remains a source of constant diplomatic tension between the two countries.
Ceuta is not just a border city of Spain; it is the external border of the European Union, its gateway. Consequently, any major wave of illegal migration here affects the immigration policy, border security, and asylum system of the entire European continent.
