Implementing Integrated Approach to Strengthen Resilience in South Africa

Nutritious food and decent jobs are two among many crucial pillars to build a good life. Unfortunately, those pillars are getting more fragile as we face the immense pressure of polycrisis. This demands an integrated approach that can help address multiple issues at once. In this light, the non-profit organization Thanda aims to strengthen resilience in South Africa, with agriculture as one of its focus.

Compounding Issues

South Africa is home to approximately 63 million people. In 2023, 19.7% households in the country experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, while 8.0% suffered from severe levels. Government statistics show that the numbers increased from previous data in 2019 and 2022.

The statistics further show that the proportion of households without employed members who faced food insecurity was much higher compared to those with at least one employed member. As an example, the percentage for moderate to severe food insecurity level stood at 29.5% for the former and 15.4% for the latter. Additionally, female-headed households also face bigger risks of food insecurity than the male-haded ones.

Unemployment, especially among youth, is yet another challenge in realizing resilience in South Africa. Between 2015 and 2025, the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 34 climbed from 36.9% to 46.1%. The rate is especially higher in rural areas and young women, highlighting the disproportionate impacts of these issues.

Strengthening Resilience in South Africa

South Africa’s agriculture sector holds the key to the country’s food security and can foster employment among youth when equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills. So, advancing agriculture can be a significant step in strengthening resilience for the nation.

One example is the work of the non-profit organization Thanda in building resilient children and families in KwaZulu-Natal province. The organization leverages farming to tackle unemployment, food insecurity, and nutritional deficiency issues. Under the organic farming initiative, Thanda uses regenerative farming practices that supports the environment. Households are encouraged and taught to grow their food in their backyards, using a combination Indigenous knowledge and modern tools.

Furthermore, the program also empowers communities to actively participate in agriculture through farming mentorship, infrastructure and tools, and training for skills related to business. Participating individuals include women and young people, which improve their knowledge and skills on nutrition, agriculture, and business. Between 2015 and 2024, the Thanda Organic Farming Initiative generated R4.7 million (around USD 2.4 million) worth of vegetables and supported 380 active farmers at 31 farms in the Mtwalume community.

Integrated Approach and Multistakeholder Collaboration

Thanda’s works show how an integrated approach can help strengthen resilience in South Africa. The key to sustainable development lies in the interconnectedness between issues, underscoring the importance of an integrated solution to enable improvements across multiple sectors. As employment becomes harder to reach and prices continue to rise, stakeholders in governments, businesses, and civil society must join hands to deliver solutions that center on the principles of leaving no one behind.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website |  + postsBio

Madina is the Assistant Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at Green Network Asia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Universitas Indonesia. As part of the GNA In-House Team, she supports the organization's multi-stakeholder engagement across international organizations, governments, businesses, civil society, and grassroots communities through digital publications, events, capacity building, and research.

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