Farmers bear brunt of South Africa’s severe drought: 'All we can do is pray'

The drought that may prevent many South African farmers planting this year could lead to food shortages and social unrest, and stall land redistribution

Hannes Geldenhuys, a burly farmer in South Africa's Gauteng province, surveys his fields. At this time of year, they should be a green, thigh-high carpet of maize and soybean. Instead, all he sees is the decaying residue of his last crop: hectare upon hectare of brittle, yellowing stalks.

"Look, I've got goosebumps. In 40 years on the farm, from when I was a boy, I've never seen anything as bad," he says.