Women in farming earn sustainable incomes from agroecology
Makhosi Mahlangu, is a trained scientist who has the knowledge of how science, enterprise and cultpride could transform local crops into nutritious products and sustainable incomes. Growing up between rural and urban communities he has witnessed how indigenous foods carried knowledge, identity and livelihoods, even as they were often undervalued. This conviction led him to establish African Food Revolution and Lupane Veggie Guys, connecting farmers, research, value addition and markets.
Through African Food Revolution, Mahlangu has helped build a food-systems platform that promotes indigenous foods, agroecology, research and rural enterprise. He currently helps lead the 500 Women Chilli and Aromatic Herbs Project in Lupane and Victoria Falls/Hwange, linking women farmers to seedlings, training, solar drying, traceability, value addition and markets.
He also converts local crops and wild fruits into chilli sauces through Lupane Veggie Guys while also mentoring young people and supporting food-processing education. His broader ambition is to ensure that community knowledge is documented, respected and transformed into economic opportunity.
“I mentor young people, support food-processing education and create platforms where communities can be documented”,he said.
As a semi-finalist for The List Awards 2026 under the Poverty Alleviation Impact Award for Makhosi Mhlangu, it has given the spotlight to the women farmers, young people, researchers and partners behind the work, while helping attract support for expanded value addition, market access and rural livelihoods.
“Winning would strengthen our credibility, widen our network and help attract support for expanding value addition, market access and dignified rural livelihoods”,he added.
Whether he wins or not Mahlangu will continue with his mission of strengthening African Food Revolution, expand opportunities for women and young people, grow Lupane Veggie Guys, and connect indigenous foods with science and markets.