By Maphuti Mongatane

Farmers are being invited to take part in a bold new initiative aimed at transforming the City of Tshwane’s agricultural economy – and this time government leaders say they are determined to listen and act.

At a high-level engagement on 3 June 2025, hosted by the City of Tshwane in partnership with AgriSA, farmers, agribusiness leaders and other stakeholders gathered for an open conversation about the future of agriculture in the city and surrounds. The message of the day was clear: It’s time for action, and it’s time for partnerships – not policies drafted behind closed doors.

Speaking directly to attendees, Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya offered an honest assessment. For too long, she said, Tshwane had not used its full power to support the sector. Farmers have struggled with underutilised land, failing infrastructure, inconsistent support and, in many cases, policy decisions made without genuine consultation. “That must change, and it will change – starting now.”

She acknowledged the human side of the farming journey. She spoke of conversations with farmers who had lost everything to disease, theft or bureaucratic delays. “I’ve seen how farmers suffer, and it breaks my heart. We must correct this, and we will do it by working with you, not by deciding for you,” she said.

Strategy shaped with input from farmers

At the heart of this shift is Tshwane’s new Agriculture Strategy, which will be finalised within two months. Importantly, the draft will be circulated to the farming sector for input, ensuring the final plan reflects a shared vision.

The mayor stressed that agriculture must become a core part of Tshwane’s economic revival, not an afterthought. The city’s Economic Revitalisation Strategy recognises agriculture’s potential to create jobs, boost food security and attract investment, but this potential will only be realised through collaboration.

She called on farmers and agribusinesses to choose Tshwane as a place for growth and investment, assuring them that the city is ready to partner with them, to activate underused land and agri-parks, and to work with the private sector to overcome a lack of government capacity. “We need you to tell us what you need from us,” she said. “We don’t want to impose policies on you – if we do that, they will fail. We want this to be your strategy, too.”

No time to waste

The mayor also addressed the longstanding infrastructure challenges that continue to hamper agricultural development, such as unreliable roads, power supply issues, poor market access and safety concerns. She pledged that these issues would no longer be met with lip service, but with clear priorities and concrete budget allocations. She stressed that Tshwane is already shifting more of its capital budget towards infrastructure that supports economic growth, and agriculture will be included in this shift.

The mayor was frank about the need for urgency. “Let’s not wait for perfect. Perfect is nowhere. Let’s start tomorrow. Our people are hungry. The economy is struggling. Businesses are closing. We don’t have time to waste.”

For farmers in attendance, this was an important shift in tone. Many spoke afterwards of their hope that this process will finally bridge the gap between government promises and farmers’ lived realities. There was also clear appreciation for the city’s openness in inviting farmer voices into the strategy process from the beginning.

As African Farming, we see this as a real opportunity for farmers in Tshwane and surrounds. The window is open now, and farmers must seize the opportunity. When the draft strategy is released, it will be essential for farmers, both emerging and commercial, to actively engage with the process to ensure that their needs are reflected in the final document.

Dr Moya closed with a personal vision: “This is the beginning of a very necessary partnership. I have met beautiful farmers in this city who just want to fulfil their mission. We must support them, not block them. We must act together, not in isolation.”