Agriculture is one of the hardest industries to work in today. But the people of #FarmersIndaba2022 agreed that farming is also a calling. There’s simply no quitting feeding the nation.
At the end of a successful inaugural Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba in Sandton, Team Food For Mzansi asked around for the most inspirational words from speakers and panellists. These are just a handful of the favourites.
Thoko Didiza
“It indeed gives hope that South Africa’s food security is in good hands. [Older] farmers are worrying about what will happen in South Africa if there’s no new generation. But what we see today, is you! The future of the agricultural sector of South Africa, Africa and globally. Sometimes when we’re in our little corners, we may wonder, ‘Does what I do, actually shift the needle in the agricultural economy?’ I want to assure you today, that it does.”
Thoko Didiza is the national minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development
Karidas Tshintsholo
“We believe that the agricultural sector is behind in terms of tech development, and we are here to close that gap. We’re not farmers but we’re a technology player that seeks to close the gap between farmers and suppliers, markets, and inputs. We want to make life easier for farmers, allow them to focus their time on what they do best, which is farming.”
Karidas Tshintsholo is the founder and CEO of Khula!
Aron Kole
“I’m excited about the diversity. One of the speakers came and said that he’s not a farmer; he’s in ag-tech and he was bold and proud about it. We had somebody here from Shoprite, talking about vegetables and procurement. In agriculture, we know there’s a lot of challenges but, clearly, there’s a lot of opportunities.”
Aron Kole is the managing director of Farmsol Holdings
Dr Naudé Malan
“I want to say to all the farmers: Please realise that in this society, you are the one that is feeding it. You are the leader of your people. We look up to you to feed us. This presentation I’m making is dedicated to all the farmers – struggling and non-struggling, new and old – who are feeding us. It’s my absolute honour to be here and to speak to you.”
Dr Malan is the founder of iZibanda Zokdula and a senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.
Corné Liebenberg
“There will always be hardship and challenges, and really, there are endless reasons for you to be stressed out in agriculture. But you are on Earth for a reason, and the moment you know that purpose, it determines your success, your passion, and where you are going to spend your energy and time. And that gives you the energy to tackle hardships while looking at the positive side.”
Corné Liebenberg is the marketing director at Laeveld Agrochem.
Gostina Gabi Malope
“Government does not owe us anything. We owe it to ourselves. Getting into agriculture is not an instant money-making scheme. Stop following trends but rather set the trends.”
Gabi Malope is the founder and principal of Toutele Agricultural College South Africa
Ivor Price
“The beauty of our Food For Mzansi journey, is that it led us to you. We see you. We honour you. We celebrate you. And we will continue to help you unlock the opportunities you need to change the rise and scale. As the new faces of South African agriculture, you are a generation that carries the heartbeat of our motherland, even in sleep. We urge you to hold on to the hope of a better tomorrow.”
Ivor Price is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Food For Mzansi
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