In support of agroecology and food sovereignty against the corporate food system’s
expansion, the South African Food Sovereignty Campaign (SAFSC) joins the International
Day of Peasant Struggle, a worldwide mobilisation of farmers and their allies. SAFSC
reconfirms its dedication to community-led solutions and grassroots activity in the face of
difficulties posed by corporate dominance in food systems, having emerged from ten years of
campaigning, notably during the greatest drought in South Africa’s history. At the heart of
our movement are the voices of peasants and small-scale farmers, often marginalized and
overlooked. We recognize their vital role in the fight for food sovereignty and climate justice.
The corporate conquest of agriculture, which aims to commercialise and dominate every facet
of food production, is something that SAFSC vehemently opposes. We oppose
the digitilization of farming methods because we know it will negatively affect farmers
independence and expertise. Under the pretext of innovation, digital agriculture advances the
goals of large agribusiness corporations at the expense of local authority over food
production, commerce, and consumption.
To support this cause, we invite individuals to engage with our resources, such as our food
sovereignty activist guide which aims to equip activists with a comprehensive understanding
of hunger’s societal roots, connecting it to broader injustices and wealth disparities, while
empowering them to build alternative food systems grounded in solidarity, food sovereignty,
and agroecology. We also have a comprehensive water tool which functions as an educational
tool for communities and grassroots activists, empowering them to comprehend the
complexities of the water crisis and its associated power dynamics. It equips them with
foundational knowledge of water resources, practical techniques for water conservation, and
the capacity to organize responses to water policies while promoting the protection and
celebration of local and indigenous water science. We also stand with peasant struggles to
protect the ocean commons and advance the rights of small-scale fishers. Additionally, we
recently hosted a webinar titled “The Ocean Commons: Risks and Challenges for Food
Sovereignty,” which individuals can find linked to our here.
Together, let us amplify the voices of peasants and small-scale farmers, defend agroecology
and food sovereignty, and build a future where communities have control over their food
systems.
For Further Information Contact:
Qhawekazi Mahlalela, SAFSC Coordinator, 0733693551
Awande Buthelezi, SAFSC Gauteng Provincial organiser, 0796138191
Soweto Sunrise News
