Ephraim Mogale emerging farmers set to receive support
MARBLE HALL
In a powerful and inspiring moment at a recent agricultural gathering held at Marble Hall Civic Hall, Nadia Coetze, a representative from African Farms, made an impassioned speech that could shape the future of farming in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) and beyond.
Addressing aspiring young black farmers, Coetze delivered a simple yet profound message, stating: “The youth are the future of farming, and without farming, there is no future.”
Recognizing the challenges faced by out-of-school and unemployed youth, Coetze extended a hand to those with no prior experience in farming, offering them an opportunity to learn, grow and become future agricultural leaders.
She proposed a structured training initiative that would allow young people to gain hands-on farming experience, equipping them with the skills necessary to sustain and expand South Africa’s agricultural sector.
During the engagement, Coetze’s bold move underscored the urgent need for industry leaders and institutions to collaborate in unlocking potential within South Africa’s youth.
She indicated that with the right support structures in place, initiatives like this have the potential to revolutionize the agricultural landscape, ensuring that the next generation is ready to take up the mantle of food production and sustainability.
“The challenge has been set and the seeds of opportunity have been planted. It is now up to stakeholders, including National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the broader agricultural community, to nurture this vision into a thriving reality,” she said.
Coetze’s offer was not made in isolation. She was joined by Ms. Emmaculate Mampuru of Tsebo Africa Training, who echoed her commitment to nurturing the next generation of farmers.
Together, they posed a direct challenge to the NYDA, urging the agency to support this initiative, calling it to provide basic but crucial support such as accommodation for the youth near training farms and transportation to ensure consistent participation.
Furthermore, they suggested that NYDA, or even Seda, invest in upgrading existing farm accommodation facilities to create dedicated training hubs for young farmers.
The audience, composed largely of eager young farmers from Ephraim Mogale and Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipalities, erupted in cheers and ululations at the prospect of such a transformative initiative. The enthusiasm in the room was palpable, as the engagement was more than just another promise, but a tangible step towards bridging the gap between opportunity and access for aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs.
