PRETORIA, South Africa, October 12, 2017/APO/ --

The importance of investing in food security and rural development as tools to change the future of migration will be highlighted during this year’s World Food Day commemoration, when the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Senzeni Zokwana together with the Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Oupa Khoabane, FAO Country Representative Dr Lewis Hove and Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Vusimuzi Tshabalala and other delegates visit agricultural projects in Qwa-qwa. 

World Food Day is observed annually around the world on 16 October, in honour of the founding date of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1979. This year, South Africa will commemorate World Food Day at regional level because of the country’s chairmanship of SADC. South Africa is one of the few SADC countries that commemorate World Food Day. SADC ambassadors will also participate in the proceedings.

The theme, “Change the Future of Migration: Invest in Food Security and Rural Development”, signifies the importance of creating conditions that allow rural people, especially youth, to engage in agriculture to create more resilient livelihoods.

Due to the water scarcity in the area, the Minister will distribute water tanks and will also visit the overall winner of the DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards (FEA), a subsistence farmer who donates some of her produce to vulnerable families in the area.

Members of the media are invited to the event scheduled as follows:
Date: Monday, 16 October 2017
Venue: Charles Mopeli Stadium, Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality, Free State Province

Programme of the day:
07:30-10:30 - Project and household visits
11:00-11:20 - Symbolic walk against hunger
11:30-14:00 – Main event at Charles Mopeli Stadium

To RSVP, please contact: Rony Moremi before Friday the 13th October 2017 on 073 347 0391 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Distributed by APO on behalf of UN Information Centre in Pretoria (UNIC).