North West: Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Letsike, emphasized the significant role the agricultural sector plays in the African economy, contributing over 60% of jobs and accounting for 25% of the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). She highlighted that this sector, deeply rooted in rural areas, offers immense opportunities for growth and expansion into industries that have not traditionally thrived in these regions.

According to South African Government News Agency, Letsike spoke at the Village Economy Indaba ceremony in the North West province, where she pointed out that more than half of Africa’s population resides in rural regions. However, these areas often experience higher poverty rates and limited access to basic services, which restricts economic opportunities. She stressed that addressing this divide is crucial not only for geographic balance but also for social justice, economic necessity, and national progress.

Letsike underscor
ed the potential of rural areas in South Africa to lift people out of poverty. By investing in rural economies, jobs can be created, and incomes boosted where they are most needed. Empowering smallholder farmers with improved technology, training, and market access can enhance production and livelihoods, leading to better education, healthcare, and overall well-being for families and communities.

She noted that approximately 75% of the food produced on the continent comes from small farms of less than 20 hectares, with 80% of the 51 million farms being smaller than two hectares. Developing rural economies can also help curb urban migration, as thousands of people leave rural areas each year in search of better opportunities in cities. Initiatives like The Village Economy Indaba aim to create viable economic opportunities in agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, and small-scale manufacturing to reduce urban strain and improve rural quality of life.

Letsike highlighted the vulnerability of groups such as wo
men, youth, LGBTI, and persons with disabilities to climate change. She called for renewable energy projects and eco-tourism in areas like the Northern and Eastern Cape, as well as Limpopo and the Western Cape, to harness rural South Africa’s potential for green growth and sustainability. By adopting sustainable practices, the environment can be preserved for future generations while creating jobs today. She also noted that indigenous agricultural practices, such as companion planting, continue to promote soil health and maximize production, benefiting many rural farmers.