Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa to Promote Inclusive Participation of Women in Agriculture During International Women’s Day Outreach

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Nokuzola Capa, is set to lead an outreach programme aimed at promoting transformation and inclusive participation of women across the agricultural value chain. The initiative forms part of the broader commemoration of International Women’s Day and focuses on empowering women, young women and women with disabilities within the agricultural sector. The programme highlights the importance of ensuring that women play a meaningful role in agricultural production, processing and market participation. By strengthening opportunities for women, the initiative supports broader national efforts to achieve equity and sustainable rural development. The outreach also aims to highlight successful community farming projects that demonstrate how women-led enterprises contribute to food security and economic growth.

The Deputy Minister will be joined by several key leaders from provincial and local government during the outreach programme. These include Khethiwe Moeketsi, the Member of the Executive Council for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs in Mpumalanga. The delegation will also include Thomas Ngwenya, Mayor of Nkangala District Municipality, as well as Nomsa Mtshweni, Mayor of Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality. Their participation reflects a coordinated effort between national, provincial and local government structures to advance women’s empowerment in agriculture. By working together, these leaders aim to ensure that policies and development initiatives reach communities where they can have the greatest impact. The collaboration also strengthens government support for agricultural enterprises led by women in rural areas.

As part of the programme, the delegation will conduct site visits to two agricultural projects that represent the growing role of women in the sector. The first stop will be Lungile Poultry Farm, where participants will observe poultry production operations and engage with women involved in the enterprise. The delegation will also visit Remmogo Primary Cooperative, a cooperative initiative that demonstrates how community collaboration can drive agricultural productivity and income generation. These visits will provide an opportunity for direct engagement with farmers, allowing them to share their experiences, challenges and achievements. The project visits are scheduled to take place from 10:00 to 11:30 at the site located at GPS coordinates S25.191304 E28.89486. Through these engagements, the outreach programme will highlight practical examples of how women contribute to local agricultural economies.

Following the project visits, the main event will take place from 11:30 to 14:00 at Ga-Morwe Community Hall. The gathering will bring together farmers, community members, government representatives and stakeholders involved in rural development. Discussions will focus on expanding opportunities for women in farming, agribusiness and related value chains such as processing, packaging and marketing. Participants will also explore strategies to address barriers that often limit women’s participation in the agricultural sector. Topics such as access to land, funding, training and market opportunities are expected to form a central part of the dialogue. The event aims to inspire women in rural communities to pursue agricultural enterprises and to strengthen networks that support their growth.

The outreach programme led by Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa reflects a strong commitment to advancing gender inclusion within the agricultural sector. By engaging directly with women farmers and community cooperatives, the initiative promotes practical solutions that encourage greater participation in the agricultural value chain. The visits to Lungile Poultry Farm and Remmogo Primary Cooperative highlight the progress already being made while also identifying opportunities for further support. Events such as this play a key role in ensuring that women, young women and women with disabilities are fully included in agricultural development initiatives. Through continued collaboration between government leaders, local communities and farming enterprises, the programme aims to strengthen women’s roles in agriculture and contribute to sustainable economic development across rural South Africa.