The event was hosted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with the West Rand District Municipality, local municipalities (Rand West City, Mogale City, Merafong City), and the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Under the theme ‘Working Land and Livestock for a Food Secure Gauteng’, the seminar aimed to empower youth and women in the agri-food sector and promote inclusive, sustainable farming across the region.

GCIS Gauteng Provincial Director Peter Gumede opened the proceedings with a strong message of partnership, highlighting the importance of active participation by local government structures in the collective initiatives.

“The G20 is not only there for the benefit of world leaders. It is there for the people. Agriculture brings sustainability, and we want to bring opportunities to farming. To sustain the future of agriculture in Gauteng, the seed planted here today must thrive into the future. Bring your watering cans, and let us water this initiative together,” he said.

Practical insights for farmers

The seminar combined high-level strategy with real-world, farmer-focused sessions:

• Dr Mary-Jane Thaela-Chimuka, senior researcher and aquaculture unit manager at the Agricultural Research Council, introduced aquaponics, a sustainable farming method that combined aquaculture and hydroponics. A small exhibition showed how small-scale farmers could use compact systems to produce fish and crops affordably.
• Ernest Makua, livestock technical advisor at Red Meat Industry Service (RMIS), spoke about the business of livestock farming, covering breeding, disease management, nutrition, and bull selection and giving practical tips on visually identifying preferential traits in cattle. He highlighted RMIS’s commitment to supporting emerging livestock farmers through training, farm visits, and study groups.

• Sipho Skosana, chief director of water use authorisation management at the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), outlined the water-use registration process, explaining its importance in protecting and fairly allocating South Africa’s water resources. He explained that water users were required to register with the DWS to allow it to manage water resources for planning, prevent overuse or degradation, and ensure fair allocation among users.

A vision for the West Rand

Speaking at the event, Alderman Dennis Thabe, West Rand District Municipality executive mayor, underlined the central role of agriculture in shaping the region’s future:

“In the West Rand, agriculture is becoming the new gold; the plough is becoming as mighty as the mining machines once were. Food security may be debated globally, but it is lived locally in our soil, by the vegetable farmer in Westonaria, the cattle farmer in Mogale City, and the crop grower in Merafong City.”

Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, According to Vuyo Kubayi, internal communications officer for Rand West City Local Municipality, the seminar exceeded expectations:

“We helped inspire and inform emerging farmers from all over the West Rand and created a platform for them to gain knowledge and voice their concerns. This event proved that farmers have a deep appetite for information and support.

“Going forward, the GCIS and its partners will continue to host regular farmer information sessions across the district.”

With topics spanning aquaponics, livestock, water use, land reform, Land Bank’s blended finance scheme, and farmer support, the seminar demonstrated how collaboration between government, researchers, and farmers could strengthen food security, build resilience, and unlock opportunities for the next generation of producers in Gauteng.