The days have got shorter and the nights longer. And for us in the southern hemisphere, on 20 or 21 June, the winter solstice will once again, present the longest night of the year.
But we’re not here to talk about natural phenomena.
In SA, June has a poignant commemoration theme that includes Youth Day.
“No nation is any healthier than its children or more prosperous than its farmers,” said former US President Harry Truman.
The modern-day South African agriculture sector continues to navigate the effects of historic, systemic injustices and the stigma and associations that come with these.
Hence, role-players in the sector must continue to strive to personify due inclusivity, progressiveness and innovation. Importantly, these also align with the aspirations of many young South Africans.
In the fertile soil of the South African agriculture sector – and, therefore, the fruit industry – lies an opportunity to cultivate the next generation of leaders, innovators, and custodians of this promising sector.
Around the world, the youth are ready to join sectors – and individual enterprises – that speak to their goals and values, and that represent meaning.
Well, the fruit industry of SA has answered the clarion call, with industry bodies using their own resources and joining hands with government and educational institutions, to actively demonstrate a commitment to innovation, science-based advancement, and meaningful inclusive growth. These efforts include bursaries and learnerships, and leadership programmes that pair industry experience with the knowledge and dynamism of the youth.
Of ons nou van presisie-landbou en volhoubare boerderypraktyke of toonaangewende logistiek en wêreldwye bemarking praat, is die vrugtebedryf se waardeketting propvol intellektueel stimulerende en ekonomies lewensvatbare geleenthede vir jongmense. In die voorwoord skyn SATI se uitvoerende hoof, Mecia Petersen, die kollig op die magdom ervaring en data in die landbousektor – vrugbare grond vir jeugintegrasie.
Maar daar’s heersende terugslae in die bedryf wat bly knaag, soos kwessies rondom internasionale marktoegang wat deur handelsversperrings en ‘n tekort aan gunstige handelsooreenkomste vererger word, asook wesenlike hindernisse in infrastruktuur en logistiek. Kan meer gefokusde jeugintegrasie en die dinamiek wat daarmee gepaard gaan dalk sommige van dié probleme vinniger help verlig?
Beyond its poignant political relevance, Youth Day is a stark reminder of the vital, largely untapped role of the youth in our country, the agriculture sector, and certainly the fruit industry.
Enjoy the read.