iZindaba Zokudla in 2021

Dear all. iZindaba Zokudla has developed an exciting programme for 2021. Please see the extract of the prospectus for iZindaba Zokudla this year and the schedule of events that is to follow.

Please be on the look-out for more information on how you can make yourself and your organisation, available for engagement this year!

iZindaba Zokudla – Conversations about food

A Multi-stakeholder engagement project at the University of Johannesburg

iZindaba Zokudla is an isiZulu phrase that refers to ‘conversations about food’. iZindaba Zokudla aims to create opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs in a sustainable food system. It links the university, researchers, students, communities, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders through Work Integrated Learning, Short courses, applied research projects, ICT and social events to assist entrepreneurs to create a socially equitable, economically productive and ecologically sound food system.

iZindaba Zokudla has pioneered innovative methods for agricultural development. In 2021 iZindaba Zokudla will be developing its website – izindabazokudla.com – and the Farmers’ Lab to integrate several departments and centres at the University of Johannesburg with key stakeholder in the food system. iZindaba Zokudla will host the Virtual Farmers’ Lab, public events and other opportunities to recruit and mobilise stakeholders for food systems change and enterprise development.

The iZindaba Zokudla Virtual Farmers Lab in 2021 will host a series of panel discussion on issues of importance to enterprise and food system development. These panel discussions will lead the conversation on the creation of a sustainable food system. iZindaba Zokudla will create a critical mass of stakeholders and actors that will become the fertile ground for the development of enterprises, and the academic study and enhancement of these processes.

iZindaba Zokudla is able to attract numerous emerging entrepreneurs and other enterprises to the UJ. This system will link emerging entrepreneurs to selected programmes of the UJ, and make available as many of these resources as possible free of charge. Emerging entrepreneurs and enterprises can thus draw on the benefit of engaging with the UJ in the following ways:

· Work Integrated Learning: Undergraduate students can engage with selected entrepreneurs and development meaningful WIL assignments that would both benefit the student and the entrepreneur;

Short Learning Programmes from a wide variety of providers;

· Post-Graduate research can be conducted on the wider body of enterprise, entrepreneurs and activities taking place in iZindaba Zokudla;

· Speciality research projects from the various research centres at the UJ will benefit from the recruitment, public engagement, and dissemination opportunities in the Labs;

· The recruitment of beneficiaries for the various programmes of research centres at the UJ; and,

· The recruitment of stakeholders as partners in research project creation. This will enable the UJ to draw on specialist expertise in civil society and the market and enable cutting edge research programmes in various fields, from the 4IR, to sustainability, to social transformation.

The iZindaba Zokudla Virtual Farmers’ Lab will identify meaningful opportunities for sustainable food systems change. The 2021 schedule will announce to the general public important themes in sustainable food systems change. This will prepare stakeholders to engage with the UJ, and offer an opportunity for the public governance of these interventions, as these are open to comment by the public. This precedes the creation of research foci, and in the panel discussion, new opportunities will be identified. This will enable Work Integrated Learning, Short Learning Programmes and Post-Graduate researchers to start collaborating on meaningful projects with stakeholders. This prepares the ground for deeper integration, and here engagement by the various Centres of the UJ, and academic researchers is possible, and which will lead to the creation of high-level research programmes.

iZindaba Zokudla has created a system of engagement that enables a range of beneficial activities for the UJ. All deliberations will take place in public and projects are announced in a public forum. This recruits stakeholders to the UJ and benefits the reach and influence the University has over public knowledge of development processes. Public deliberation prepares the ground for the co-creation of meaningful projects amongst peers in civil society and the market. The public involvement in the creation of research foci will enhance the impact, reach and benefit of this knowledge. The active engagement between UJ and society will prepare students, research findings, and stakeholders for the commercial application and success of new enterprises, technologies and activities.

IZindaba Zokudla will also build Communities of Practice amongst emerging entrepreneurs independently of the UJ. This will prepare them for further engagement with the UJ, and enable the creation and implementation of new activities amongst stakeholders and entrepreneurs independent of the UJ. Alongside the engagement processes of the UJ, we expect a significant increase in activity amongst peers in civil society. This will build great rapport between the UJ and wider society, and position the UJ as able to rapidly engage with new entrepreneurs and implement complex solutions for the benefit of all.

iZindaba Zokudla has created an information rich and open access system for the development of applied research and social change projects amongst emerging entrepreneurs and their peers. This endeavour will be anchored in the iZindaba Zokudla Farmers’ Lab. The Lab will take place twice a month during 2021 and this can be adapted as the programme commences. The website will host information, narratives and stories, research, discussion and deliberation, and enable the creation of Communities of Practice amongst peers in a free civil society. This system of engagement is positioned to create alternative relationships amongst emerging producers, business and civil society that would herald the creation of a sustainable food system.