Sharing knowledge on the use and conservation of water for food production
Ideas and Updates
On this page we will be posting articles and documents which will show how our ideas on RWH&C are developing as the Amanzi for Food project develops. We will be producing a series of ‘Think Pieces’ which we hope you will find interesting and stimulating. We will also be reporting on some of the project’s key activities and developments.
We are very keen to have comments, suggestions, fresh ideas and updates on RWH&C from our partners in the project and visitors to the website. Please send through anything you think may be of interest to us via the contact page.
A Taste of the Agroecology Conference – Video
In February this year the Amanzi for Food team attended the Agroecology for the 21st Century Conference in Cape Town. This was a very fruitful conference that highlighted conversations around the developing Agroecology movement within [...]
Mapping learning networks, sharing lessons
The Amanzi For Food programme has been working to share and develop effective rainwater harvesting and conservation approaches for five years now. A core component of this process has been to promote collaboration and learning [...]
Farewell Dear Tichaona
Dr Victor Tichaona Pesenayi passed away at his home in Makhanda last week surrounded by his wife and family. Tich's passing came days after he graduated with a PhD from Rhodes University on 11 [...]
First Imvotho Bubomi Learning Meeting of 2019
On the 7thMarch 2019, the Imvotho Bubomi Learning Network held their first meeting of the year. The meeting was attended by a large number of members including new and old from all over the Amatole [...]
Eastern Cape training of trainers graduation
Amanzi for Food, Eastern Cape training of trainers’ graduation was celebrated at Rhodes University on the 11th of October 2018. The graduation commemorated the successful completion of the Training of trainers’ course which was undertaken [...]
2018 World Food Day commemorations, Mxumbu village
World Food Day (16th October) was commemorated in style in Mxumbu Village this year, with an 'Ilima' event celebrating traditional farming practices, seed diversity, and food sovereignty. ‘Ilima’ traditionally involves many people from the community working together intensively [...]
Greywater harvesting and Filtration system in Fort Cox
The experimental project herein undertaken endeavors to explore grey-water reuse by way of setting up a circulation system where the water undergoes a process of filtration before it is pumped back to the house for [...]
Enactus productive demonstration site
As part of the Amanzi for Food, Mpumalanga symposium participants were tasked with developing posters showcasing their productive demonstration sites. Youths in the Enactus group from the University of Mpumalanga also participated in the development [...]
Mpumalanga training of trainers certification process
On the 9th of July 2018, Mpumalanga Learning Network members who completed the Amanzi for Food Training of Trainers course received certificates to celebrate this achievement. The training of trainers course comprised of 4 assignments; [...]
Climate Smart Agriculture comes to the Eastern Cape
A sister project to Amanzi for Food is based in KZN and is focussed on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). This project is also funded by the Water Research Commission and is led by Mahlathini [...]
Busisiwe shares her Eastern Cape seed route
Busisiwe Mgangxela, an emerging rural farmer near Hogsback who is passionate about keeping things natural and traditional, shares her Green Route. My background as a nurse educator where good quality nutrition is the first line [...]
Towards sustainable vegetable growing with farmer learning videos in Benin
Vegetable production plays an important role in nutrition, food security and poverty reduction in Benin. However, vegetable production is hampered by pests and farmers rely on pesticides to control them. Improving farmers’ knowledge is important [...]
Agriculturalist learn about Rainwater Harvesting at UMP
Prof Heila Lotz-Sisitka, Crispin Dirwai, Chamu Mutambo and Gerhard Viljoen at the course The Amanzi for Food Training of Trainers course kicked off at the University of Mpumalanga on Wednesday September 13. MBOMBELA – Water [...]
Amanzi for Food wins Greening the Future Awards
A unique approach gives Amanzi for Food the edge. Unlike many programmes that use “Research-Develop-Disseminate-Adopt” strategies to produce knowledge without continual in-the-field integration, Amanzi for Food involves farmers, extension officers, agricultural educators and trainers. There [...]
An update on Phase Two of the Amanzi for Food Programme
Launch of the Amanzi for Food Phase 2 project (2017-2021) As shared with you before, the Amanzi for food phase 2 was launched with effect from 12 March 2017 commencing with a strategic planning meeting [...]
Imvelisi Boot-Camp
From the 4th to the 9th of June 2017 I was at the Imvelisi Boot-Camp, where I represented Lenye Youth Group and the Amanzi for Food Research Project amongst other Enviropreneurs!! As Lenye Youth Group [...]
Seed sharing in the Eastern Cape, starting with Pearl Millet
The seed sharing from Enaleni farm is showing good results in the Eastern Cape. Pearl millet was amongst the seeds shared by Richard to Ilizwi la mafama on 24 November 2016 and farmers were expected [...]
Community Engagement Award for the WRC Amanzi for Food Programme
On the 20th of April 2017 at Rhodes University's Graduation Ceremony, the Amanzi for Food Programme received the Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Community Engagement Award (one of two recipients). Teams or individuals are awarded this prestigious [...]
Collective learning to live with wicked climate problems through water and seed for food sovereignty: leaving no one (willing) behind.
Smallholder farmers in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape Province have demonstrated that it is possible to mobilise their cultural and traditional knowledge practices to make a living from the soil. They have managed [...]
Amanzi for Food presented at the Partnership for Action on Green Economy global inter-ministerial meeting in Germany
On the 27th of March 2017, Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka presented the work we have done over the last few years with the WRC Amanzi for Food research programme. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) [...]