New Training to Nurture South Africa’s Organic and Agroecological Leaders

Cape Town, South Africa - 3 - 8 November 2025: The Organic Academy of IFOAM - Organics International, in collaboration with South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO), officially launched the Agroecology and Organic Agriculture Leadership Course (AOLC) in Cape Town, South Africa.

Over six days, 25 participants representing civil society organisations, entrepreneurs, as well as the public and private sectors in South Africa, came together to strengthen their leadership capacity and exchange knowledge. Their learning journey is guided by IFOAM - Organics International Academy team, local trainers and experts.

Across 22 sessions, participants explored key developments within the organic and agroecological movement, focusing on South Africa's transformative initiatives. They also gained practical skills in leadership, strategic communication, networking, and agroecological entrepreneurship.

A highlight of the week was a field visit to Metro Organics, where participants toured the nursery (seedling production), the main farm (production, composting, packing, and cooling), and one of the farm shops. The visit showcased an integrated model of the organic value chain in practice. Participants also observed a PGS assessment process on-site.

Another engaging activity was an early-morning visit to the Oranjezicht City Farm Market, providing insights into market dynamics, setup logistics, and the operational and historical aspects of the farmers' market.

I'm new to this field, but I feel so enriched with knowledge and inspiration that I can't wait to dive into it as my life work and path. There is deep power in our collective activism as change agents.

The in-person session concluded with participants developing personal development plans, translating their learning into concrete projects and initiatives. Over the coming months, their journey will continue through monthly webinars and self-paced study materials available via IFOAM Academy's online learning platform.

About the AOLC

The AOLC is a nine-month hybrid course and is the flagship course of IFOAM - Organics International Academy. The Agroecology Promotion Programme supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which is co-funding the implementation of the AOLCs across the continent and in Southeast Asia. Co-facilitated by local experts, the course aims to strengthen leadership, policy engagement, and business and market development to foster inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

The South Africa cohort is one of the three AOLC courses launched in 2025 to empower changemakers across Sub-Saharan Africa. The other cohorts began their journeys earlier this year in Nigeria and Kenya.