In many South African communities, youth unemployment and food insecurity continue to place enormous pressure on young people searching for opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Through a longstanding partnership between the Fidelity Foundation and Oliver’s Village in Benoni, agriculture is helping create practical pathways to empowerment, entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.
For more than 11 years, the Fidelity Foundation has supported Oliver’s Village through agricultural development initiatives, accredited training programmes, food security projects and youth skills development. The partnership focuses on equipping unemployed youth and aspiring farmers with practical agricultural knowledge and entrepreneurial skills that can be applied within their own communities.
According to Teboho Motaung, a PR and strategic communications practitioner at JNPR, the programme is not only helping young people gain skills but is also creating long-term opportunities for economic participation.
“Through this partnership, we are seeing agriculture become more than just a means of survival. Young people are gaining accredited skills, practical farming experience and the confidence to start building sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their communities,” said Motaung.
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From Training to Income Generation
Graduates who completed the NQF Level 4 Plant Production Programme are now using their training to establish home gardens, supply fresh produce locally and explore small-scale farming enterprises.
The programme currently produces vegetables including spinach, beetroot, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and herbs. Approximately 400 bundles of spinach and beetroot are sold daily within the local community, contributing to both food security and local economic activity.
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Building Long-term Self-sufficiency
Motaung said one of the key strengths of the initiative is its focus on long-term impact rather than short-term assistance.
“What makes this programme meaningful is that it empowers young people with skills they can continue using long after the training is completed. It combines agriculture, entrepreneurship and mentorship in a way that encourages self-reliance and sustainable income generation,” he said.
To date, 50 learners have graduated from the programme, with additional students expected to enrol in 2026.
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