On a day filled with thought-provoking discussions and knowledge sharing, over 500 virtual attendees from across Africa joined Food For Mzansi and its newly launched sister publication, Food For Afrika, for the Pan-African Summit on Youth in Sustainable Agriculture.
The first-of-its-kind summit saw farmers gather to discuss the role of youth in sustainable agriculture.
Food For Mzansi editor for audience engagement, Dawn Noemdoe, and KwaZulu-Natal farmer Andile Ngcobo emceed the event with opening remarks done by Food For Mzansi co-founder Kobus Louwrens and Access Bank’s CEO Chrisanthi Michaelides.
A highlight of the summit was the minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development Thoko Didiza wishing Food For Mzansi a happy birthday and a successful summit.
“Food For Mzansi, in its three years, has done so much to profile the agricultural sector in our country. It has ensured that diverse and critical views are heard. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has fed the sector with information and regulations that impact our agriculture and agribusiness” said Didiza.
Tuning in from Lagos Nigeria was CEO of Nourishing Africa, Ify Umunna as well as agriculture and food security specialist at Green Climate Fund Marc Dumas-Johansen. Dr.Naude Malan, a senior lecturer in development studies at the University of Johannesburg gave an insightful presentation on why sustainable agriculture needs to be a number one priority for young farmers.
Great minds thinking alike
The summit also saw two panel discussions facilitated by Food For Mzansi’s head of news, Duncan Masiwa and Food For Afrika’s head of news, Lucinda Dordley.
Dordley facilitated a panel discussion with farmers from across Africa such as Dominic Nyasula and Mayowa Ekundayo as well as the CEO of Green Terrace Farm in South Africa, Mbali Nwoko. While Masiwa facilitated a panel discussion with farmers from South Africa such as Andile Ngcobo, Gugulethu Mahlangu and Annalea van Niekerk.
Other speakers included Kazuki Kitaoka from the World Food Forum who discussed the mission, objectives and activities of the World Food Forum.
The summit ended on a high note with Food For Mzansi co-founder, Ivor Price, stating African farmers should be appreciated. This as they are local heroes. “At Food For Mzansi and Food For Afrika no story is too small”, said Price.
Price also issued in a new era for agricultural journalism by launching the publication’s worst kept secret, Food For Afrika.
Photo highlights from the summit
Food for Mzansi Co-Founder Kobus Louwrens,Cotton SA’s Tanya Aucamp and Citizen Journalist Terri-Ann Brouwers. Photo: Food For Mzansi 
Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi 
Mbali Nwoko CEO of Green Terrace Farm South Africa and Lucinda Dordely Head of News from Food For Mzansi.Photo : Food For Mzansi. 
Co-Founder Kobus Louwrens kicks off the summit ,by firstly expressing his happiness for the milestone reached by Food For Mzansi Photo: Food For Mzansi 
Posing for a picture Editor for audience engagement Food for Mzansi’s Dawn Noemdoe, Mosele Lepheane Farmer and Co-Founder of Food For Mzansi Kobus Louwrens . 
Minister Thoko Didiza addresses the summit remotely, with Dawn Noemdoe, Food For Mzansi’s editor for audience engagement hosting the event. Photo: Food For Mzansi
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