In what could be described as a watershed moment for South Africa’s agricultural future, young farmers from across the country have come together to launch the World Food Forum (WFF) South African Youth Chapter, marking a significant step towards transforming how people think about food security and farming in the rainbow nation.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
The two-day gathering, held on 4 and 5 November 2025, brought together bright minds and passionate hearts, all united by one common goal: to ensure that South Africa’s youth have a proper say in shaping the future of food systems.
“The launch was designed to unify youth efforts under the WFF banner, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture while advancing national sustainability priorities,” explains Katlego Kgopotse, interim African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) national youth convenor.
Meet the New Leaders: Youth Taking Charge
Five individuals from AFASA Youth were elected to key positions, each bringing unique expertise to drive the chapter forwards. Kitso Monyadi from Gauteng was elected to lead the Innovation, Science and Technology portfolio, where she will spearhead youth-driven agricultural innovation and technology solutions. Sememo Nkosi from Mpumalanga takes on the crucial role of resource mobiliser, focusing on securing investments and support for sustainable youth programmes across the country.
From the northern regions, Thabo Phasha from Limpopo was elected secretary, tasked with administrative management and ensuring smooth operations within the chapter, and Othusitse Sebogodi from Northern Cape stepped up as deputy chairperson, bringing regional representation and collaborative leadership to the fore. Rounding out the team, Paballo Mokatsane from Gauteng was elected to handle the Marketing and Communications portfolio, ensuring that the chapter’s message reaches far and wide across South Africa’s agricultural communities.
“The elected members bring a combination of experience, innovation and dedication to transforming South Africa’s agrifood systems,” said Kgopotse. “Their expertise spans areas like agricultural research, resource management, communication and leadership, with a shared goal of empowering rural and urban youth in the agribusiness value chain.”
More Than Just Talk – Real Action on the Ground
What makes this initiative particularly special is that it’s not just another forum where young people talk about problems – it’s a platform where they’re actually taking charge and implementing solutions. The AFASA Youth played a leading role, with several members being elected to key leadership positions within the new chapter.
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According to Kgopotse, AFASA Youth members actively participated and were elected to leadership positions in the WFF SA Youth Chapter. This representation, he said, emphasises their ongoing role in driving agricultural development and capacity building.
The event wasn’t held in isolation either. Big players in the agricultural space came to the party, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the national Department of Agriculture, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), and Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD).
Six Pillars of Change
Kgopotse said the new youth chapter has identified six crucial areas where it plans to make its mark:
- Innovation and Technology: Young farmers are embracing new ways of doing things, from smart farming techniques to digital solutions that make agriculture more efficient and profitable.
- Climate-smart Agriculture: With climate change knocking on our door, these young leaders are championing research and knowledge sharing to help farmers adapt and thrive despite changing weather patterns.
- Youth Entrepreneurship: Supporting young people who want to start their own agricultural businesses, providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
- Policy Advocacy: Ensuring that when big decisions are made about agriculture, young people have a seat at the table and their voices are heard loud and clear.
- Education and Capacity Building: Teaching the next generation about sustainable food systems and giving them the skills they need to be successful farmers.
- Strategic Partnerships: Building bridges between government, private companies and communities to create a stronger agricultural sector.
“The event encouraged the inclusion of rural youth in agrifood systems transformation,” noted Kgopotse.
Also read: Meet the Free State Provincial Youth in Agriculture award winners
Challenges That Can’t be Ignored
Kgopotse doesn’t shy away from the hard truths about what young farmers face in South Africa. “Limited youth participation in food systems decision-making and policy spaces, with rural youth particularly at risk of exclusion,” is how Kgopotse describes one of the key challenges identified during the forum.
But rather than just pointing out problems, the youth chapter has come up with concrete solutions. It is calling for better policies that actually support young farmers, more investment in youth-led agricultural projects, as well as platforms that give young people real power to make change happen.
Building Bridges, Not Walls
What’s particularly encouraging about this initiative is its focus on collaboration. Instead of working in silos, the youth chapter is actively building partnerships across different sectors.
“Strengthening partnerships across public, private and community sectors to address resource gaps and foster coordinated efforts” is how Kgopotse outlines their collaborative approach in his report.
This means government departments, private companies and local communities will all have roles to play in supporting young farmers and ensuring they have access to the resources, training and markets they need to succeed.
Also read:
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Food security in SA is improving but many still go to bed hungry
