​In a bold step towards youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), in partnership with Rebafenyi Development Centre, an NPO funded by the Department, launched an agricultural initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical skills in crop production and agribusiness.

The launch took place on Tuesday,  10 June 2025, at the Mashimong Agricultural Site in Hammanskraal, located in the Northern part of Tshwane. The initiative forms part of a series of interventions planned for Youth Month and is designed to empower youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to participate meaningfully in the agricultural sector, while also addressing food insecurity and unemployment.

Addressing community members and stakeholders at the event, Gauteng Social Development, MEC Faith Mazibuko emphasised the Department’s focus on youth self-reliance. “We are proud to launch this food security programme as part of our Youth Month activities. Our objective is to equip young people with the necessary skills to break the cycle of dependency on social grants. We want them to become self-sustainable through plant production and entrepreneurship,” said MEC Mazibuko.

She further encouraged young people to embrace agriculture as a viable career path that can uplift communities and deter youth from social ills such as substance and alcohol abuse.” Opportunities like these must be seized. Agriculture holds the key to ending poverty and hunger. We want our youth to see themselves not only as future farmers but as future agripreneurs.”

The project is made possible through land support from Amandebele a Lebelo Tribal Authority, which donated eight hectares of land to establish the agricultural site. Tribal Authority representative, Nicholus Moeketsi, highlighted the importance of youth-focused initiatives.” This project is vital for our community. It provides our young people with meaningful engagement and a way to earn a living, rather than idling on the streets. It also has the potential to contribute towards feeding children from vulnerable families.

One of the young beneficiaries, 20-year-old Onkarabile Phasha, expressed appreciation for the opportunity. “I joined the centre in 2023 to learn about plant production, and I’ve gained a lot. I aspire to own a piece of land where I can grow my own crops and train others. This programme is shaping my future.”

Through this initiative, the Department and its implementing partner aim to train, mentor, and develop approximately 160 young people. These participants will be equipped with scarce and critical entrepreneurial skills to eventually establish their own Primary Agricultural Cooperatives within the plant production industry. The training will be delivered through continuous, hands-on instruction on-site.

This initiative forms part of a broader strategy by the Gauteng Department of Social Development to promote youth employment and food security. Similar projects are expected to be launched in other regions of the province throughout the Youth Month.