In an era of climate volatility and deepening inequality, food is no longer just a commodity—it is the center of global political and economic resilience. This was the core message from internationally acclaimed agricultural scientist Professor Lindiwe Majele Sibanda during her ASSAf Distinguished Visiting Scholar Lecture at the University of Pretoria (UP).
The Framework: Creating Shared Value (CSV)
Professor Sibanda introduced the Creating Shared Value (CSV) model as the blueprint for the future. Instead of treating economic growth, social well-being, and environmental health as separate goals, CSV demands they be advanced together.
Key pillars of the food value chain mentioned:
- Climate-Resilient Inputs: Moving toward biofertilizers and digital soil services.
- Regenerative Practices: Restoring ecosystems while simultaneously boosting farmer productivity.
- Circular Economy: Turning agricultural waste into new industries like bioenergy and recycling.
- Agro-Processing: Keeping the financial value within local rural economies to drive industrialization.
The “Stewardship” Challenge
Professor Sibanda described our current moment as an “Era of Uncertainty” defined by geopolitical fragmentation and nutritional transitions. She posed a blunt question to the audience:
“Are we prepared to act not as extractors but as stewards?”
Stewardship, she argued, requires a new form of governance that balances immediate profit with the long-term health of our soil, water, and biodiversity.
A New Mission for Higher Education
A significant portion of the lecture focused on how universities must evolve to meet these challenges. Professor Sibanda and UP Vice-Chancellor Professor Francis Petersen emphasized that institutions must pivot:
- From Degree Holders to Problem Solvers: Curricula must integrate “systems thinking” that connects health, climate, and markets.
- Living Laboratories: University farms should serve as innovation hubs where students and entrepreneurs test regenerative agribusiness models.
- Active Contributors: Moving beyond traditional research to become active partners with government and industry to solve societal needs.
The Inaugural ASSAf–CAS Series
This lecture marked the launch of the ASSAf–CAS Public Lecture series, a collaborative annual platform between the Academy of Science of South Africa and UP’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship. The series aims to bring global expertise to South African soil to mentor researchers and drive continental dialogue.
