On Thursday, 16 October 2025, over 90 farmers from the Langa, Khayelitsha, Mitchell’s Plain and Gugulethu Agrihubs gathered in Gugulethu for a day of farmer-led workshops, discussions and showcases. The Agrihub Gathering is an annual chance for growers to exchange practical knowledge, celebrate wins, and deepen the relationships that sustain Cape Town’s growing network ofContinue reading “Agrihub Gathering 2025: Growing Together”
Author Archives: thandimancoba
SAUFFT Programmes Manager, Rirhandzu Marivate, at the Transformations Community / Earth System Governance 2025 Conference
In August 2025, the Transformations Community / Earth System Governance (TC/ESG) Conference brought together more than 400 scientists, academics, artists, activists, and practitioners from across the world. Held from 18–21 August under the theme Navigating Sustainability Transformations Towards Justice and Equity,” the conference created a rich space for dialogue on how to shape fairer, moreContinue reading “SAUFFT Programmes Manager, Rirhandzu Marivate, at the Transformations Community / Earth System Governance 2025 Conference”
Bellville Market Activation Day: Reimagining Informal Food Economies
Urban food systems are shaped not just by policies and infrastructure, but by the hands and hustle of everyday traders who feed our cities. To truly understand these systems and support them meaningfully, we must look beyond permits and plans and pay attention to the lived realities of those working on the ground. This wasContinue reading “Bellville Market Activation Day: Reimagining Informal Food Economies”
Empowering Urban Farmers Through Wellness and Indigenous Knowledge: The EESI Programme’s Impact in Khayelitsha
A year-long programme aimed at improving the health, well-being, and economic resilience of urban farmers in Khayelitsha showed promising results. The Environmental Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation (EESI) initiative, which ran from April 2024 to March 2025, brought together over two dozen participants, primarily women and backyard farmers, to reimagine nutrition, biodiversity, and entrepreneurship through targetedContinue reading “Empowering Urban Farmers Through Wellness and Indigenous Knowledge: The EESI Programme’s Impact in Khayelitsha”
Amplifying Voices and Building Networks: SAUFFT at the IAEOZ Summit 2024
Community leaders, researchers, and other civil society stakeholders play key roles in supporting sustainable urban food systems. This is strengthened by exchanging insights and building networks across conventional boundaries. This approach was highlighted at the Innovation in Agriculture & Energy Opportunity Zone (IAEOZ) Summit 2024, where discussions focused on strategies for empowering farmers worldwide. AmongContinue reading “Amplifying Voices and Building Networks: SAUFFT at the IAEOZ Summit 2024”
Celebrating Growth and Achievement: The Fourth GrowSA Graduation
The fourth graduation ceremony of the GrowSA Learnership Programme marked a momentous occasion, celebrating the achievements of a dedicated group of individuals who have completed their journey of learning, mentorship, and skill development. This milestone not only honours their hard work but also highlights the impact of GrowSA in equipping changemakers within South Africa’s grassrootsContinue reading “Celebrating Growth and Achievement: The Fourth GrowSA Graduation “
Empowering Langa Farmers Through Agroecology & Business Training with WWF Nedbank Green Trust
Sustainable farming and financial literacy are key to the long-term success of small-scale farmers. In the past year, Langa farmers participated in two workshops focused on equipping them with the necessary skills to enhance their agricultural practices and financial management. Agroecology and Business WorkshopsThe Agroecology & Permaculture Workshop introduced farmers to sustainable and regenerative farmingContinue reading “Empowering Langa Farmers Through Agroecology & Business Training with WWF Nedbank Green Trust”
Entrepreneurship Workshop with Oribi and EESI Project
In a recent collaboration with Oribi, the EESI Project hosted an Entrepreneurship Workshop aimed at equipping urban farmers in Khayelitsha with the tools to thrive in sustainable food systems. The EESI programme seeks to improve biodiversity in the growing sites of farmers in Khayelitsha in ways that are materially beneficial (income-producing or food-providing) and thatContinue reading “Entrepreneurship Workshop with Oribi and EESI Project”
Expanding the Agrihub Initiative: Gugulethu Agrihub
The Agrihub Initiative has reached a significant milestone with the launch of the Gugulethu Agrihub, the fourth in a growing network of hubs dedicated to supporting local food growers. This expansion underscores the initiative’s commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture and empowering communities. Following a rigorous selection process, Gugulethu emerged as the ideal location for theContinue reading “Expanding the Agrihub Initiative: Gugulethu Agrihub”
Ethnographies: Transforming Urban Food Systems Research Through Storytelling
Urban food systems are as much about people and their lived experiences as they are about policies, data, and logistics. To truly understand and transform these systems, we must capture the stories of those embedded within them. This was the essence of yesterday’s Ethnography Masterclass, a session at the AfriFOODlinks Consortium meeting designed to elevateContinue reading “Ethnographies: Transforming Urban Food Systems Research Through Storytelling”
SA Urban Food & Farming Trust 