Dear All
Thank you all who participated in the iZindaba Zokudla Farmers’ Lab on the 1st of October. It is with some sadness that I am writing this report. One of our scheduled speakers, Brutus Nemukula passed away on the 1st of October. I did not know Brutus that well but have been informed that he has organised several local food gardens and gardeners and has involved many children in these gardens. He also organised an Agri-symposium in Soweto not too long ago, and we are all sad of his passing. We salute you Brutus! Your memory will live amongst us.
The day went well, and we had just over 40 people in attendance. The day was also with some unexpected speakers, and we are glad we could accommodate them.
We started the day listening to Janet Ogilvie from INMED. She made a comprehensive presentation on INMED and more information is available on their website. Unfortunately we are unable to make her presentation public, but their website has a lot of information and please contact them vis the website!
Please see https://inmed.org.za/
We also listened to Thulani Zikhali, an aspiring entrepreneur from BTY irrigation. Thulani offers irrigation services and sales to farmers and he discussed all the products and services he is able to offer.
His presentation can be found here:
The next speaker was Sobongile Cele from African Women in Agriculture. They have a training farm in Eikenhoff in the South of Johannesburg near the Lido Hotel. They offer training to emerging female farmers and are funded by the IDC. Please see https://iamcitizen.africa/show/awia-african-women-in-agriculture/wiki
Sibongile Cele AWIA 0721209784 sibongile@awia.africa
Links to her organisation are as follows:
At the end we welcomed an unexpected speaker. Mary Mazibuko, a beneficiary of the Land Reform programme related the story of how she acquired her farm.
We also hosted the “People’s Announcement Hour” and from the floor the following speakers made presentations:
Bonolo 0781564446 Food Water nexus Cooperatives.
iPlantSA.org Angelo Doyle Eldorado Park 0623075492
The last, and also an unexpected speaker, was Tekano Mpambani, who has successfully set up a Cannabis oil manufacturing enterprise. He started with 15 plants in his backyard and is today selling a “full spectrum” Cannabis oil. He is available on 0618616775.
We welcome all submission in the People’s Announcement Hour, and please contact me directly on nmalan@uj.ac.za if you want to make a full presentation at the Farmers’ Lab!