Minister Praises 0.8% GDP Growth in South Africa

Pretoria: The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, has expressed satisfaction with the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the second quarter of 2025. The data released by Statistics South Africa earlier this week showed a commendable 0.8% growth. According to South African Government News Agency, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry grew by 2.5%, contributing 0.1 percentage points to GDP. This growth was driven by increased economic activities in horticulture and animal products, reflecting the success of the Department's sustainable agricultural and forestry initiatives. This progress highlights the significant contributions of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to South Africa's economic resilience. The Minister noted that the department remains committed to fostering a green economy that supports economic growth while preserving the country's natural heritage. He emphasized how strategic interventions in environmental sectors, sustainable forest management, and fisheries governance are creating jobs and boosting sectors vital to national development. The 1.7% growth in trade, catering, and accommodation, including eco-tourism benefits, and the 0.5% rise in personal services from community initiatives, further illustrate how conservation efforts drive inclusive economic gains. Dr. George also highlighted the R16.6 billion inventory buildup, with significant contributions from mining, transport, and manufacturing, as evidence of improved supply chain resilience supported by the DFFE's environmental policies. As the department moves forward, it will continue to champion biodiversity economy projects and climate resilience measures to sustain this positive trajectory and uplift communities across South Africa. The Minister encouraged all stakeholders to embrace sustainable practices to ensure long-term economic and environmental prosperity.