As South Africa grapples with a youth unemployment rate of 46.1%, nonprofit organisation Thanda is planting seeds of change through its agroecology initiative, focused on equipping young people with farming skills to build dignified, sustainable livelihoods in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
A Crisis Demands a Bold Response
Stats SA’s recent labour market figures revealed that KwaZulu-Natal has suffered the largest employment decline of any province in the first quarter of 2025, with 104,000 jobs lost. Amid these alarming numbers, Thanda is expanding its Food Security & Economic Development (FSED) Initiative to empower youth through agroecological farming – an approach that prioritizes soil health, local food systems, and economic resilience.
In 2024, Thanda’s farmer network earned R3.6 million in income, showcasing agroecology’s potential to boost rural economies. The renewed youth focus aims to reverse the outdated perception that farming is “work for the elderly.”
Youth Farming with Purpose: A Case Study
One of the programme’s rising stars is Mzwandile Cele, a young farmer from Bulhebukhona Farm in Mtwalume. Since joining Thanda three years ago, Mzwandile has evolved into a confident producer and budding entrepreneur.
“When I first started farming with Thanda, I was still finding my feet,” Mzwandile says. “Now I see it not just as a way to sustain myself, but as a step toward becoming an entrepreneur.”
With mentorship from Thanda, Mzwandile is learning business planning, crop tracking, and soil management — key skills for a sustainable farming future.
Youth Case Study Farm: A Scalable Model for Change
Thanda is now developing a Youth Case Study Farm — a proposed 4-hectare site that, if funded, will train eight young farmers to manage larger plots and run market-ready businesses. Each participant will oversee a 0.5-hectare plot, receiving hands-on mentorship in:
- Crop planning and rotation
- Business modelling
- Soil and water conservation
- Scaling sustainable farming operations
The goal is to replicate this model in other regions, ultimately scaling up to group-managed farms of up to 5 hectares.
Ambitious Targets for Youth Empowerment
By 2030, Thanda aims to support:
- 1,350 smallholder and household farmers
- At least 100 youth (aged 18–35)
- 20% of all farmers reaching entrepreneurial-level livelihoods
- Year-on-year production growth of 15%
- 250 youth actively earning income through farming by 2045
“Young people are no longer farming out of desperation,” says Thanda Co-Founder Angela Larkan. “They are farming with intention and innovation — building identity, opportunity, and pride.”
Farming Rebranded: A Pathway to Dignity
Thanda’s vision is to redefine rural success. By investing in youth, agroecology, and local markets, the organisation is transforming farming from a last resort into a viable and respected career path.
“The biggest mistake youth in my community make,” adds Mzwandile, “is thinking farming isn’t cool. But every day I come to the farm with the decision to grow — for myself, my child, and our future.”
Related Reading:
- Youth Unemployment Crisis: How Farming Can Fix It
- Food Security in South Africa: Rural Innovations That Work
- Case Study: Agroecology in Action at Bulhebukhona Farm
