Izindaba Zokudla (Conversations about Food) – Innovation in the Soweto Food System is a multi-stakeholder engagement project that aims to create opportunities for urban agriculture in a sustainable food system in Soweto. The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) is implementing an urban agriculture policy as part of a larger food security initiative. This policy creates opportunities for multi-stakeholder en
gagement, and Izindaba Zokudla is aimed at creating space for such engagement between urban farmers, stakeholders and the city. Farmers are arguably the most important actor in this policy and in urban agriculture in the city, urban farmers. Izindaba Zokudla advocates and argues for specific approaches to urban agricultural development in Johannesburg. It draws on participatory research to build the capacity of farmers’ organisations in Johannesburg, to facilitate engagement with food enterprises in the city, and to use design and technology development as means to improve agricultural practices. During 2013 a strategic plan for a farmers’ organisation was developed and during 2014 this plan is being implemented. This plan includes reference to a farmers market, addressing land tenure issues in the city, developing a technology development workshop, and to create opportunities for students to conduct academic research on aspects of sustainable food system change. During 2014 Izindaba Zokudla comprises a Participatory Technology Development project with 4th year Development Studies and Industrial Design students, the farmers' Soweto Imvelo Market which launched on the 2nd of September, and a Multi-Stakeholder discussion forum on School Gardens. The project aims to develop technology with urban farmers, build the capacity of the Region D (Soweto) Farmers' Forum and create opportunities for food systems change (inclusive of new production, retail and advocacy opportunities) in Soweto and Johannesburg. Izindaba Zokudla is lead by Dr Naude Malan and Angus Donald Campbell at the University of Johannesburg. It is linked to the departments of Anthropology and Development Studies and Industrial Design and Design Society Development DESIS Lab (www.designsocietydevelopment.org). Izindaba Zokudla is also part of the Global Innoversity (http://globalinnoversity.org/) located at Michigan State University USA.
