'I never, ever thought that agriculture could be so cool'

“I never, ever thought that agriculture could be so cool,” exclaimed the 14-year-old Kgomotso Mbele, a gr. 9 learner at the Kgotso-Uxolo Secondary School in the Petsana township of Reitz during the second leg of the VKB Food For Mzansi Agri Career Roadshow.

Mbele counted among the nearly 900 learners who discovered for the first time that agriculture is about much more than farming.

Learners at the VKB Food For Mzansi Agri Career Roadshow have the rare opportunity to engage with leading agricultural and educational leaders.

During a fun-filled programme led by TV personality Solomon Cupido, learners were introduced to the immense study and career opportunities in the world of agriculture – from journalism to economics, marketing and IT. The day was hosted by Reitz High School.

According to Elfrieda Lotter, the Marketing Manager of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State, the initiative is a real eye-opener for learners. “It serves as a tool to enlighten them about the career opportunities available not only in agriculture, but also supporting industries.”

Lotter says, “We, as a university, visit most of these schools already (as part of a marketing drive to attract future students), but what is done additionally with the VKB Food For Mzansi Roadshow is to provide them with practical insight about the chain of people serving in different job descriptions under the umbrella of agriculture. Consequently, they can make more astute decisions for their own future concerning career and study choice.”

Popular TV actor Solomon Cupido hosted the Reitz leg of the VKB Food For Mzansi Agri Career Roadshow.

The Free State leg of this roadshow is presented in partnership with the provincial education department and SAATA, the South African Agricultural Teaching Association. On Wednesday and Thursday the career days will be hosted by Wilgerivier High School in Frankfort and Kroonstad High School in Kroonstad respectively.

Next week the leading exhibitors, including VKB, Bayer and MSD, will join forces with the Eastern Cape Department of Education for career days in Cookhouse, Somerset East, Pearston, Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville, Steytlerville and Willowmore.

Reitz High School learners featured with Food For Mzansi co-founder Ivor Price at the VKB Food For Mzansi Agri Career Roadshow.

Food For Mzansi co-founder Kobus Louwrens says they’re excited about showing agriculture’s new face to the 5 000 learners who are registered to attend the Eastern Cape leg of the roadshow. The roadshow will also later continue in parts of the Western Cape and Limpopo.