As Food For Mzansi turns five years old, farmers across the spectrum have applauded the publication’s unwavering commitment to providing a platform for their voices and experiences.
Over the past few years, Food For Mzansi has established itself as a platform that makes a difference in peoples’ lives and agricultural business.
Sinoxolo Sabelo, the founder of Andisumbuso Pty Ltd based in KwaZulu-Natal, said she has been exposed to various farming techniques, which have ultimately led to improved yields and profits for her farming business.
Sabelo said the most exciting aspect of Food For Mzansi is the publishing of youth projects. She emphasised that the quality of content delivery is crucial, particularly for small-scale farmers and those aspiring to become farmers.
“FFM, let’s work together to make a positive impact on the agricultural industry. By doing so, we can help fight unemployment and poverty on a larger scale. And happy fifth anniversary,” she said.
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Game-changing exposure
Phiwokuhle Myoyo, founder of Magiliwe Farming Primary Limited Cooperative, says that being featured by Food For Mzansi has been a game-changer. It has helped to raise the visibility of her business and has given her a platform to share her story.
She is grateful for the recognition and hopes that other small-scale farmers will also have the opportunity to be featured.
“It is my prayer that Food for Mzansi keeps recognising farmers like us so that we can get better opportunities. Food For Mzansi has given me a voice, and for that I am grateful,” she said.
Jabu Mahlangu a livestock farmer from Mpumalanga said Food for Mzansi arrived in an elegant way cutting into its niche market and making a dynamic presence.
“You have also given exposure to some of our young female farmers and the world discovered them through your open sources. As a result, today we are celebrating their emergence and presence.
“As you celebrate your birthday, we wish you good health strength and formidable energies to continue to shine the light on Mzansi food growers,” he said.
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‘Keep shining the light’
Minenhle Ngubane, a KwaZulu-Natal crop farmer said she did not know about Food For Mzansi until news reporters from the publication reached out to her. She has now made it a point to set time aside each day to read what is trending and new articles on the platform.
“It is through this platform and agricultural trends that have taught me how to be diligent in my work. Food For Mzansi has also changed how I view life, my morals, and everything about my future.
“It feels great knowing that I can say that I am a part of such a wonderful agricultural family. Five years have flown by and I am so grateful for your contribution towards uplifting everyone in the agricultural sphere,” she said.
Setting the standards
Eben du Plessis, a farmer and an organised agriculture leader, said Food For Mzansi has set the standard for honest and true agri-journalism.
“The opportunities that you have given farmers and especially organised agriculture have been very well received by all. Information received daily has helped farmers everywhere to be on top of problems and also to learn from people achieving success in agriculture.
“The highlight for me was the article that was done on me and my family where I could share my values with your readers. The opportunity to share info and facts from Agri Eastern Cape has also been a highlight,” he said.
Athizintle Nkaqa, founder of Flying Eagle Mixed Farming, from Flagstaff in the Eastern Cape, said having a platform like Food for Mzansi that caters to small-scale, lesser-known farmers is a huge asset. She describes the platform as informative and like sitting in a classroom with an expert.
“There’s always more to learn and understand. Farming is not easy, but seeing other people doing it makes me want to keep going. So I check the Food For Mzansi Instagram page daily for new posts,” she said.
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Media powerhouse
Livestock and crop farmer from the North West, Ipeleng Kwadi-Seboni, said Food for Mzansi is a powerful media house with many hats.
“It has facilitated agricultural decision-making as it assisted a lot in providing necessary information related to farming, market information, scholarship opportunities, stakeholders summits, disease diagnosis reports and bringing opportunities through farmers’ days in our most rural communities.
“Keep giving a platform for exposure to our young upcoming farmers and keep mentoring our small-scale farmers through development programs that you have been offering.
“May all your journalists gain strength in driving down to communities with dusty roads, where there are severe droughts, but farmers do not give up,” she said.
Keep up the good work!
Vegetable farmer Yondela Gqoli from the Eastern Cape thanked Food For Mzansi for the exposure, which led him to receive an invitation to a seminar, which enabled him to meet relevant funders.
“Since the article was published about my farming business, I have had exposure to networking and have also been approached by the Durban Fresh Market. I met with relevant people who are doing this and who have been on this farming journey.
“Happy fifth-year celebration, keep doing a great job for all the young ones out there who have lost hope. You are doing a great job with this initiative to expose farmers. I really appreciate everything that you have done for us as the Agrihlubi family,” he said.
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Thembinkosi Matika from Malmesbury outside Cape Town said as a farmer he found Food For Mzansi to be an invaluable source of motivation and inspiration.
“When things get tough, the stories on the website remind me that success is possible, even when the going gets tough.
“I am thrilled to see FFM reach this important milestone. It’s not easy for a new business to make it to five years, so this is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team. I would also like to thank the media for their efforts to tell our stories with accuracy and sensitivity. I always enjoy reading the articles,” he said.
Podcast success
Livestock farmer Kgomotsho Ranchu appreciates a podcast done about his farming business, which brought a lot of attention to his company. Ever since he has received many inquiries from clients about many enterprises and services.
“Food For Mzansi has changed my life through recognition within the agricultural sector. The newsletters and articles have helped me as well because they raise awareness of illnesses and diseases occurring in animals.
“We want to encourage Food For Mzansi to continue being the voice of agriculture in South Africa and the whole world,” he said.
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