After a long week filled with not-so-smooth days on the agricultural scene, it’s seemed like Friday is filled with opportunities for farmers, foodies and women in the sector.
On our watch list today is the closing date for North West farmers to apply for financial backing offered by the Province’s department of agriculture and rural development. Later this morning, in a “woman to woman” digital economy summit, top speakers address opportunities for women residing in the rural areas and townships of KwaZulu-Natal. An insightful session on food and economics, ending a multi-part series of discussions on Mzansi’s food system, also takes place later today.
1
Walala wasala, North West farmers!
Hurry up! North West farmers. Today (14 August 2020) is your last chance to apply for two-year financial funding from CASP and Letsema conditional grants.
The funding, offered by the province’s department of agriculture and rural development together with the national department of agriculture, land reform and rural development, is open for subsistence, smallholder and commercial farmers.
Successful applicants will be financially backed for 2021/2022 and the following support is offered:
- on and off farm infrastructure;
- production inputs;
- enterprise and business development; and
- farmer training: skills development & capacity building.
Interested farmers can obtain applications from their local agricultural offices and should directly submit back to the office. For more information, visit your nearest agricultural office or contact the North West Agricentre Building on 018 389 5111.
2
Women can drive digital revolution
Today, at a strictly ‘Woman to Woman’ session, hundreds of female powerhouses will gather virtually to participate in a digital economy webinar hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal department of economic development, tourism and environmental affairs.
The event, themed “Technology Enabled for the Rural and Township Women of KZN”, will see an executive list of speakers talk about how women can seize the moment and be drivers of the digital revolution.
The line-up of speakers and topics for discussion seeks to empower women to seize the moment and be the drivers of the digital revolution.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Deputy chairperson of the board of Moses Kotane Institute of Technology, Ms Mbali Myeni;
- Mayor of King Cetshwayo District Municipality Cllr, Nonhle Mkhulisi;
- CEO of Food by the Gift, Thandani Zulu, discussing “Building a small business on a digital platform”;
- UKZN lecturer Dr Upasana Gitanjali Singh discussing “Strategies to bridge the gender digital divide”;
- Gugu Sema from MICT SETA discussing “Digital future skills necessary for the new economy”;
- CEO of Innovate Durban, Aurelia Alberts, discussing “Innovation and technology starts-ups in townships”;
- KZN Black IT Forum secretary and MD of NXCA, Natashia Xulu, discussing “Adoption of digital transformation in rural areas”; and
- MD of Thibethulani Trading, Thobekile Ndlovu, discussing “The use of technology to advance women-owned business”.
Members of the public are invited to be part of this event which starts at 10:00 this morning and runs until 12:00. Join the webinar here: Digital Economy Summit.
Webinar ID: 859 1184 0982
Passcode: 577657
3
Food dialogues bow out with insightful topic
It is a wrap for the “Food Dialogues: Cape Town 2020” with an insightful discussion on food and economics taking place at 15:00 today.
Leaders in their field join Ellen Fischat, managing director of non-profit organisation Oribi Village, to unpack common issues across the food and economics theme. She also looks at how the topics indicate similar or divergent risks, opportunities and needs.
Book your virtual seat now. Visit the Food Dialogues website for more information.
