In efforts to boost youth empowerment and Agricultural growth, the National Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen and Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa, together with the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa, officially launched the Jozini Small-holder Farmer Programme on Friday, 11 April 2025, in Jozini.

This engagement was hosted in collaboration with Unilever SA, empowering 100 small-holder farmers in KwaZulu-Natal to grow herbs and spices for a sustainable supply chain.

The primary objective for this initiative is to create employment, uplift communities and build an inclusive agricultural economy. Furthermore, it is aimed at nurturing hope, improving livelihoods and driving long-term sustainability in the Province.

The farmers also received tractors and a drying tunnel was unveiled to assist small-holder farmers.

Hon. MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa pledged to support the small-holder farmers in the area. "I am happy to see the partnership between government and Unilever helping our farmers. As a Department, we are committed to supporting our farmers so that they might one day become commercial farmers competing at a higher level. I am encouraging those who are not yet into farming to get involved,” said MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.