Food For Mzansi journalist Tiisetso Manoko has been selected as one of the top ten agricultural journalists in the world to receive the 2023 IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders Award. He is the only South African to have made the cut.
Every year, the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) recognises high-potential journalists and communicators for their professional skills and leadership potential. The award supports their participation in a global meet-up, which includes the IFAJ congress in Alberta, Canada in June this year.
Additionally, Manoko gets to attend the Alltech ONE World Tour stop in Calgary, the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta. The tour is a unique opportunity to discuss the future of agriculture with stakeholders, uniting changemakers and thought leaders who will examine trends in agriculture, business, health, and nutrition.
Manoko expressed his gratitude for being selected. “I am incredibly humbled and grateful to have been selected as a recipient of this prestigious award. It is an honour to be recognised for my work as an agricultural journalist through Food For Mzansi.”
Passionate journalism
Alltech president and chief executive Dr Mark Lyons emphasised the importance of strong journalism in communicating agriculture’s truth in today’s world, saying, “We are proud to support the next generation of journalists who are passionate about sharing the real stories of the farm and field, and the men and women who work tirelessly to feed our planet.”
Besides Manoko, the 2023 cohort of IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders includes representatives from Australia, Austria, Canada, Ghana, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and Argentina.
The honourees were selected by an international jury from nominees representing many of IFAJ’s 60 member nations.
IFAJ secretary general Adalberto Rossi said, “It is an honour to be at the forefront of such an important challenge that has the unique privilege of bringing together young and talented professionals from all over the world, who will return to their countries with new tools and knowledge after having participated in a renewed boot camp and the congress annual of the IFAJ, which this year will take place in Canada.”
Life-changing opportunity
Manoko joins an esteemed group of past South African recipients, including Liza Bohlmann, the chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA), Denene Erasmus, former editor at Farmer’s Weekly turned Business Day journalist, Susan Marais from Plaas Media, freelancer Lindi Botha, Landbouweekblad’s Lloyd Phillips, Marieke Snyman and Alani Janeke, and Marike Brits from Netafim.
Bohlmann said AWSA is delighted to bag another place on the roster of The IFAJ Alltech Young Leaders Award.
“Congratulations to Tiisetso on this wonderful international recognition. This is a testament to the quality and talent we have in the country. Entrants compete for a place in the top 10, and the best of the best from each IFAJ member country is annually in the running,” she said.
Passing on his expertise
According to Bohlman, the recognition comes with the opportunity to tap into this experience and the responsibility to share some of his learnings with his own team at Food For Mzansi and with AWSA members.
“All other previous award recipients from SA can attest to the career-changing effect this opportunity brings. We are super excited for Tiisetso and wish him a mind-blowing experience in Canada,” Bohlmann said.
Magda du Toit, South African representative to the IFAJ, said it is heartwarming to see that the young talent available amongst agricultural journalist in South Africa are being recognised on a global platform. “This is a testament to the quality and talent we have in the country.”
Food For Mzansi co-founder and editor-in-chief Ivor Price said, “We were delighted to hear that Tiisetso made the cut. We’re all so proud of him! Tiisetso has been a passionate and dedicated journalist for our publication, and this recognition is well-deserved. We do not doubt that he will continue to be a force for positive change in the agricultural sector.”
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