The spirit of the 2025 Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba is still alive and well, with Food For Mzansi receiving an outpour of appreciation from farmers who found the event deeply inspiring and transformative.
From all corners of the country, farmers, students, and agri-enthusiasts are describing the event as nothing short of life-changing.
In the words of Kagiso Munaka, the indaba was “insightful, inspiring and a wonderful opportunity for youth in the agricultural industry to showcase their commitment towards food security in South Africa.”
Held over two impactful days, the event brought together policymakers, agri-leaders and youth change-makers under one roof.
An uplifting experience
Kitso Monyadi called it a truly powerful and uplifting experience that brought young farmers, industry leaders, and decision-makers together to share ideas, learn from each other, and spark fresh thinking in agriculture.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity to engage with thought leaders like MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, as well as the meaningful conversations that took place throughout the event.
“The insightful discussions on sustainability, regenerative farming, and agribusiness growth were invaluable,” she said, adding special thanks to the Food For Mzansi team for curating “such a well-organised and enriching experience.”
Attendee Tendani M echoed these sentiments, calling the Indaba “a two-day event that exceeded my expectations,”
He really liked that the event had a mix of interesting and easy-to-understand sessions covering all kinds of farming topics. He also enjoyed the different ways the info was shared – from exhibitions and panel talks to big keynote speeches.
“As a student, I was eager to learn and engage with like-minded individuals, and this event delivered,” Tendani M wrote.
Planting ideas for growth
The feedback also brought to light areas for future growth. Tlaletse suggested including farmers living with disabilities in panel discussions, and Bahile encouraged the inclusion of job-seeking opportunities as part of the programme.
“Wouldn’t it be great hearing that the event contributed immensely in connecting those who are job seeking to jobs?”
Despite some suggestions for improvement, the overall sentiment remains glowing. Zandile said the experience was “very nice – we gained so much knowledge, opportunities and ideas. It was worth it going to the expo. I can’t wait for another one.”
For Conroy Motsepe, having all speakers and exhibitors in one place “was incredibly helpful… a very progressive and well-organised setup.”
2026 is already on the radar
Even first-time attendee Sinovuyo Shoco was deeply impressed, proposing that panelists return next year to report on their progress. “It will be nice to have one or two of the retail shops on board for the next indaba, just to commit to one new qualifying young farmer they can contract with to open market access,” she suggested.
Cebolenkosi noted that while the event hit the mark on addressing issues hindering youth in farming, there’s room to improve engagement across the board. Yet, like many others, he concluded: “All in all, I would rate it a success.”
Thanks to the flood of praise and meaningful suggestions, it’s clear that the 2025 indaba has become an essential platform for uplifting and connecting young people in farming.
Plans for the 2026 Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba are already underway, and we’re excited to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience.
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