At its five Centres of Excellence, each child receives between one and three nutritious meals a day depending on their registered programme, according to the organisation.

In addition, through the Garden to Kindergarten (G2K) initiative, an understanding of and love for planting vegetables is cultivated for children (aged two to six years) in the Bambanani Childhood Development (ECD) programme. They are also educated about nutrition and the importance of healthy eating, the organisation adds.

Moreover, through the Agripreneurship Programme, young graduates are groomed to become future agricultural leaders by completing the 12-month training and inadvertently contributing to local food production. With a pressing need to address hunger, poverty and food scarcity in the country, these young agripreneurs are a beacon of hope, having gained the skills necessary to foster food security and build sustainable micro-enterprises in the agricultural sector, Afrika Tikkun says.

Aligned with the 2024 World Food Day theme 'Right to foods for a better life and a better future', the programme drives positive change by nurturing a new generation of farmers who understand the importance of producing nutritious, affordable and safe food for South African communities. The Agripreneurship Programme is currently operational in Diepsloot, Sasolburg and Empangeni in northern KwaZulu-Natal, with a total of 188 active candidates, according to the organisation. 

"Our 2023 graduates have already secured positions within retail stores, managing fruit and vegetable sections, highlighting the success of the programme in integrating young people into the agricultural economy. With practical training conducted in modern greenhouses, these graduates are now fully equipped to grow, cultivate and supply nutritious food, supporting the broader World Food Day goal of increasing food diversity and availability in local communities," Afrika Tikkun says.

"This initiative, part of Afrika Tikkun's Cradle-to-Career 360° philosophy, is about more than just farming; it's about fostering entrepreneurship and ensuring that young South Africans have the tools they need to thrive in the agricultural sector. By learning how to establish their own farms and urban agricultural projects, these young agripreneurs are poised to not only alleviate hunger in their communities but also create sustainable livelihoods for themselves," says Afrika Tikkun's Agriculture CEO Alan Fleming.

Fleming adds that the depth of training is considerable. 

"The outcome of the Agripreneurship Programme is the development of human capital for full and permanent inclusion in the agricultural economy of South Africa. This answers food security at a local, regional and national level. No other industry offers such a rich variety of careers to the vast numbers of unemployed youth," says Fleming.

Economic disparities and unemployment are key drivers of food insecurity. Households with low income and large sizes are more vulnerable. Research shows high levels of food insecurity, especially in Gauteng townships. Many families struggle to access sufficient and nutritious food consistently (Statistics South Africa, 2023).

Hunger levels have decreased significantly from 2002 to 2018. In 2002, 30.1% of South Africa's population (5.5 million) was food insecure. By 2018, this number had dropped to 10.7% (2.1 million). However, Gauteng still faces severe food insecurity, affecting 35% of its population, the organisation says.

"The Afrika Tikkun Agripreneurship Programme teaches youth to grow their food and start small-scale enterprises, thereby contributing to local economic development and reducing reliance on imported goods," Fleming says.

"Afrika Tikkun, celebrating a 30-year legacy in South Africa, is creating holistic development and sustainable impact, tackling the country's socio-economic disparities and fostering an equitable society for all. We call on government, the private sector and the public to continue supporting initiatives that promote agricultural development, empower young people and create sustainable solutions to hunger and food insecurity," concludes Fleming.

For more information, visit www.afrikatikkun.com. You can also follow Afrika Tikkun on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of Facebook