Page 5 - JCCI Business Focus 2.3

IZIndAbA ZoKudlA – ConversAtIons APArAte -

About food the sMArt
wAY to AGrI-

he JCCI Annual in South Africa, but also that iZindaba Zokudla links the creation, applied research and
conference on Business they are able to produce food in university, researchers, students, systemic change and evaluation. ConneCt
TOpportunities in Urban ecologically beneficial ways and communities, entrepreneurs iZindaba Zokudla has influenced
Farming was privileged to have with clear social benefit. and other stakeholders in the numerous local and international n today’s technology-driven
as facilitator Dr Naudé Malan, At the University of development of service-learning research projects in the social collaborative world, the digital
senior lecturer in Development Johannesburg, a community and applied research projects sciences, engineering and Iexchange of data, knowledge,
Studies in the Department of of practice has formed around and has pioneered innovative industrial design, has led to services and skills is essential.
Anthropology and Development finding solutions to these methods for agricultural the creation of new service Ways have to be defined to
Studies at the University of possibilities. The Department development. This has relevance learning courses that focus on facilitate this new kind of digital
Johannesburg. His in-depth of Industrial Design afforded for the development of new community participation, and engagement and cross-institutional
knowledge of smallholder opportunities to develop institutions for agricultural has led to a significant number of collaboration. aparate.co is at
farming played a key role in cutting-edge technology for development, technology, publications. the forefront of creating a digital
shaping the programme and urban farmers and it was there markets and distribution systems iZindaba Zokudla currently platform for the whole agriculture
facilitating the panel discussions the project was birthed. Soon for agricultural produce, relevant organises the Farmers’ School ecosystem including smallholder
with the emergent farmers and it included graphic design and to the needs of emergent and and Innovation Lab (the and commercial farmers,
the private sector businesses that multimedia design and currently other farmers. Farmers’ Lab), iZindaba iLanga agro-processors, farm input
support procurement from urban more than seven University of Since 2013 iZindaba Zokudla (technology transfer with providers, financial support and
farmers. Johannesburg departments are has mobilised more than 150 PEETS), the iZindaba Zokudla services, agri-business chambers,
Dr Malan heads up a research involved. The project focuses on stakeholders to each of its events Free People’s conference at the government agencies and more. If
project called iZindaba the development of sustainable and has reached out to more Slow food Soweto Eat-In and the you engage in any part of the agri-
Zokudla – an isiZulu phrase for enterprises to effect durable than 1000 emergent farmers iZindaba Zokudla Stakeholders value chain, aparate.co is the place
‘Conversations about food’. He and lasting change to the South and food processors to date. Forum at the University of to be. 
realised long ago in his career that African food system that will This has enabled the project Johannesburg.
emergent African farmers hold the realise social, ecological and to innovate significantly in aparate South Africa (Pty) Ltd -
key, not only to transformation economic goals. technology development, service www.facebook.com/IzindabaZokudla Dr Norman Hoeltz
norman.hoeltz@aparate.co

An eMPtY PlAte

racy Ledger is the author food insecurity results in many In South Africa, equitable However, the problem of hunger solving the Problem
of An Empty Plate which people going to bed hungry. access to health, education and is not as often assumed, limited to Ledger proposes that once the
Tanalyses the state of the The book asks two crucial water is much debated and rural areas as many impoverished importance of access to food is
South African agri-food system. actioned, but similar attention to urban residents are severely
questions: how did we get to recognised, strategising should
Modern society has allowed this point and how might we access to nutritional food is not affected. Access to food should be take place in government from
access to food to become go about solving the problem? considered in the same manner. a national priority as it affects the local to national levels.
commodified and is big business. Ledger proposes that we Currently, although double the social fabric of the country. Significantly, the way that we
Consequently, this means reimagine our society and build amount of food that is consumed To meet daily energy needs, low look at the problem of access to
that inequitable access to food a new food system based on in South Africa is produced, income households spend much of food in South Africa should assist
resources prevails and that equity and social justice. much of this quantity goes to their earnings on sugar, flour and in developing solutions. While
waste and does reach the table. maize meal, which are foods that solutions to access to food are not
do not provide nutritional value.
The causes of this waste may simple they are not impossible to
be attributed to several factors Of note a balanced diet should implement.
in the food supply chain, not be perceived to be a luxury Several solutions are already in
which include transport and or a privilege as there are serious place that can be expanded such as:
storage limitations, as well as consequences for a lack of nutrition ■ School feeding schemes
in society. While financing the
inefficiencies and wastage in the cost of the public healthcare system ■ Availability of ready-made
production line.
has been much debated, many meals
In addition, many farmers expenses are related to managing ■ Meals on wheels
regularly overplant crops to non-communicable (diet related Competition in the current
accommodate the demand for diseases) such as high blood retail system also needs to be
fruit and vegetables to be of a pressure, heart disease, and obesity. revaluated. Big retailers often have
certain colour, size and shape to Limited access to nutritional a monopoly on the market, which
meet the needs of the retailer or food is easily apparent in children drives away small enterprises or
agro-processor. who suffer severe developmental prevents them from operating in

While retail prices continue delays or go to school hungry and large shopping centres.
to rise, the price being paid are then unable to concentrate on An essential aspect is to evaluate
to farmers for their produce the demands of the school day. food transport and logistics
is getting lower. Currently, Recent research has found an so that more consumers have
retailers benefit from rising irrefutable correlation between meaningful access to produce in a
prices while small farmers find malnutrition and violence in cost-effective manner.
it more difficult to survive. adults. This finding is evident in In conclusion, we must
the high rate of domestic violence
Further to this situation, acknowledge that our current
hunger has become a that is present in South Africa. food system does not have to
common experience among We not only live in a violent be this way. In order to create
farm workers and their families society, but one which is marred an equitable society, we need
who live and work on South by skills shortages and constant to ensure that all people are
Africa’s commercial agricultural demand for salary increases to included. Access to food is
plantations. afford food and other necessities. everyone’s problem. 

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