WHO

WE ARE

WE TRANSFORM AGRICULTURE…

The Siyavuna Abalimi Programme is turning the tide of unemployment by creating innovative opportunities for young people in the Agricultural sector.

Our programmes focus on job creation, skills development, and new opportunities for youth to contribute to the value change in food and nutritional security.

Because Green Skills require higher skills levels, dedicated and structured training as well as longer-term mentorship, our programmes include seasoned agricultural subject matter experts (mentors and experienced indigenous farmers) and the establishment of eco-systems to reduce food-system related challenges and unlock the opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

WE ARE GREEN!

Siyavuna is making big strides towards ‘green farming’ and all our programme aim for sustainable agriculture. Being environmental stewards requires Seta accredited training, organic chemical free food production, waterwise farming methods, and food processing that drastically reduces food waste.

But we know it is worth the effort because organic farming sustains the ecosystem, improves production and also increases nutrition in food – so critical in South Africa where malnutrition is prevalent.

OUR MODEL IS PROVEN

The unique Siyavuna Farmer Development Model and its farming footprint in KZN is the result of more than 12 years of development, evaluation, research and re-alignment, always in close consultation with our farmers and key stakeholders.

OUR SUSTAINABILITY LIES IN OUR NETWORKS!

We know it takes a whole community to become sustainable, so our model is community based and comprises of an extensive value chain.

OUR

STORY

Since 2008, our modest food security programme has grown, evolved and thrived to live up to the Siyavuna name which means harvest in isiZulu.

With the help of our investment partners, we have invested in development, research and re-alignment to the lessons learnt in the field.

More recently we have begun focussing further on entrenching our farmers in sustainable agri ventures, expanding our value chains and strengthening our agricultural eco-system.

2008

Project Piloted with 86 farmers onboard
Two communities have access to fresh produce markets

2023

2009

Additional 628 farmers onboarded
Expansion of vegetable sales to 4 additional communities
Kumnandi brand launched increasing volumes by more than 200%

2008

2010

Additional farmers onboarded
Increasing the number of active farmers to 1130
Operational in 9 communities

2009

2011

Siyavuna registered as NPO
Initiative moves from PILOT to established agricultural business with membership
More farmers onboarded bringing the total active farmers to 1289

2010

2012

2012-2014

Launch of the M3 Programme with advanced training in Agriculture and Business
Skills for 30 best performing farmers
Expansion to total of 12 communities by the end of 2014

2011

2015

Establishment of 4 agri-hubs supported by Siyavuna

2012

2016

More than 2000 farmers trained and onboarded
Agri hubs registered as Cooperatives with continued support from Siyavuna

2015

2017

2017-2018

SETA accreditation for training

2016

2019

Establishment of the Siyavuna Value Chain Feasibility Study
to investigate sustainable markets for smallholder farmers

2017

2020

Implementation of the Value chain Feasibility study outcomes

2019

2021

Natural Ingredients project implementation for the cosmetics industry

2020

2022

Youth Activation in Agriculture project implementation
1000 youth trained and onboarded

2021

2023

Dried vegetable project implementation

2022

2008

OUR

PURPOSE

Small scale agrucultural farming is vitally important for our country.

But there are many challenges that negatively affect agricultural sustainability and the survival rate of small-scale farmers.

Climate

Infrastructure

Skills

Economy

Unsustainable Farming

Climate

Infrastructure

Skills

Economy

Unsustainable Farming

“Our goal is to transform agricultural livelihoods and achieve real sustainable development of rural smallholder farmers in South Africa.”

For this to succeed we are focussing beyond subsistence farming for food security.

The future of agriculture is in micro agri-enterprises connected to robust value chains.

We are unlocking agro-processing and niche agricultural supply markets to help our farmers move beyond the farm gate.

OUR THEORY

OF CHANGE

OUR MULTIPLE

PATHWAYS TO IMPACT

Improved Rural Livelihoods

Farm viability optimisation
Farmer Market Linkages
Youth Employment Opportunities
Scaling for Growth
Business support
End to end value chain

Social Capital

Mentorship from previous participants
Uplifting women and youth
Community based eco-systems
Opportunities for the community
Strengthening of community fabric

Food Security & Nutrition

Nutritional Crops
Viable Food Production
Nutritional education
Scaling for Growth
Community Share Schemes
Food Waste Strategies

Capacity Building & Transferable Skills

Agri Skills
Business Skills
Mentorship
On the job training
Positive Development

Creating Green
Economic to
Holistic Approach

Chemical-free agriculture
Waste management planning
Climate action
Environmental practices
Natural resource management

MEET

OUR PEOPLE

Oxolo Mofokeng

Executive Director

The Mother of Dragons, slayer of doubts, Oxolo keeps the Siyavuna train running smoothly. By fundraising and strategic planning, while working closely with the board of directors, Siyavuna is the seed and Oxolo brings the rain. Oxolo oversees all operational aspects of the organisation from seed to harvest, from harvest to sale.

Karen Van der Lith

Finance & Kumnandi Manager

The cruncher of numbers and stretcher of pennies, Karen ensures that budget and financial aspects of the organisation are adhered to accordingly and oversees the Kumnandi Team.

Sandile Mgedezi

Special Projects Manager

If we build it, they will come! Sandile oversees the operations and development of projects within the organization by providing project management support in field work and mentoring visits to assist with project extension within communities and beneficiaries. If Siyavuna is the Garden, Sandile is fertilizer!

Philani Ndwandwe

Farmer Development and Monitoring & Evaluations Manager

Like a frame on which tomatoes can grow, Philani offers support to the growth and development of farmers through accredited Skills and enterprise development. He collects and analyses data to measure progress toward achieving goals and objectives of Siyavuna Projects/programs. The sky's the limit and he can take our farmers there!

Pearl Mqadi

Farmer Network Specialist

Building a community is at the foremost of our goals and a strong Networker is what builds those relationships and helps them grow. Pearl conducts Farmer Association Meetings (FA) with trained farmers to help them identify agricultural micro-enterprises and establishment of Agri-hubs. She conducts field mentoring and PGS inspections, to give farmer support and ensure PGS compliance on the field. She is our super Networker who helps hold it all together!

Nhlanhla Cele

Enterprise Developer

Excellent Customer Service is what turns one time buyers into repeat customers and is imperative to the longevity of the success of our farmers! Nhlanhla ensures a high standard of customer relations, arranges stock delivery to identified key customers and ensures customer satisfaction as a customer liaison. Captures and stores data of suppliers and customers.

Nhlakanipho Nxumalo

Mentor and Fleet Manager

We have places to go and important things to do and Nhlakanipho makes sure we are always ready to go! He carries out inspections and mentoring in the field to support farmers and guarantee PGS compliance in the field and ensures that Siyavuna vehicles are roadworthy and always safe to use.

Angel Leshota

Stock Controller

Siyavuna is not just about empowering communities to feed themselves, it’s about empowering them to build businesses and earn incomes from the skills we teach them. First they put food on their own tables and then they sell food to us! Angel is responsible for receiving and dispatching fresh produce that was collected from Siyavuna’s local PGS certified farmers.

Asanda Nukani

Kumnandi Co-Ordinator

No piece of produce grown by our farmers should ever go to waste which is why we provide farmers with the resources they need to turn their crops into cash. Asanda collects Kumnandi produce from designated farmer’s collection points and conducts marketing of the produce and ensures the smooth running of sales.

Sanelisiwe Khusi

SEF Administrator

We rely heavily on the support of donors and external funding to continue to grow this seed. Sanelisiwe ensures that the Social Employment Fund program is properly documented and managed and assists the participants, ensuring that their challenges are addressed.

Sinotando Joyi

Executive Assistant

Every professional organisation needs a friendly face to welcome you into our home. Sinotando’s smiling face is the first you’ll see when you visit our offices and her cheerful voice greets you everytime you dial in. She manages the inventory of office supplies and performs tasks such as data entry and filing and responds to all emails and phone calls.