Johannesburg, 10 June 2021 – The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) is pleased to announce that it has finalised the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Traditional Equine Industry (TEI) with the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board (KZBGBB), and the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA). The objective of this partnership and collaboration is to create a platform for greater participation by previously disadvantage communities in economic opportunities presented by the horse racing value chain, including the sport, agricultural aspects, tourism aspects, regulation, administration and gaming.

The agreement will also enable the TEI to unlock funding opportunities to support the development of the sport, infrastructure, agricultural support, veterinary services and other industry related services, says Susan Rowett of the National Horseracing Authority.

“The master plan for the development of the TEI is an immensely exciting initiative and the NHA are honoured to be able to play a part.  We look forward to using our operational expertise as regulator of the thoroughbred racehorse industry to assist in the development of the traditional equine industry.  We anticipate that there will be many areas of synergy and mutual benefit because everything revolves around appreciation and respect of the horse,” says Rowett.

The TEI has a rich history of promoting long standing traditional horse sporting activities in the KwaZulu-Natal regions, providing temporary economic opportunities to thousands of people during their annual events such as the Dundee July which contributes more than R15 million annually to the local economy.

“The Department is excited to be part of this MOU which will further advance the development of the traditional equine industry. We are happy to join hands with critical stakeholders to fully explore the vast opportunities presented by this industry and maximise its entire value chain for the benefit of horse owners and communities.  Traditional horse racing started from humble beginnings and has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, and now with this partnership the industry is set to become a major contributor to economic growth and radical economic transformation,’ says Dr C T Sifunda from the provincial Department of Sport and Recreation.

This cooperative agreement will underpin the implementation of Transformation, Socio-Economic Development programmes within the Traditional Equine Industry which, in turn, will assist in job creation and contribute to developing the rural economy as most races currently take place in local districts within the province. 

“I am pleased to note that the signing of the MOU is the beginning of a journey we are undertaking with some of the key stakeholders that can assist the development of the Traditional Equine sector in KwaZulu-Natal.  We look forward to fruitful engagement with the Authority and all other stakeholders in the implementation of this Traditional Equine Industry programme, says Ms. Portia Baloyi of the KZN Gaming and Betting Board.

Through the MOU, the NHA seeks to promote all facets of the TEI racing; protect the welfare of the equine and human athlete; and protect and grow its local social and economic significance for current and future generations and its sustainability.

The KZN Agribusiness Development Agency, which focuses on development and funding support for emerging businesses and organisations in the province, is excited to be part of this initiative that is aimed at promoting the rural economy through the Traditional Equine Industry, incorporating rural horse racing.

“We are looking forward to sharing our expertise in agribusiness for the development of the Traditional Equine sector,” says ADA CEO Zenzele Ndlela.

The Traditional Equine Industry stakeholders are delighted to partner up to develop and promote transformation, economic growth and job creation for traditional equine sport in KwaZulu-Natal.  As the sport develops there will be additional stakeholders to sign the MOU.

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For More Information contact:
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +27 79 490 3168

The NHA’s objectives are: 

To ensure ethical and effective leadership, transfer of skills and integrity of the highest order is achieved from the foundation cascading upwards such that the value creation process, growth and sustainability of the TEI are achieved. 

Develop a framework that will unleash the economic potential of the traditional horse-riding industry within the Province of KwaZulu-Natal and stimulate the growth of the Traditional Equine Industry. 

Facilitate and co-ordinate constructive engagement between key stakeholders in the Traditional Equine Industry and through engagement will source co-operation between the social partners and key stakeholders to support the development of the KZN TEI ensuring the implementation of plans that can create economic opportunities in the sector. 

Ensure co-operation between the different spheres of government, business and the local community that participates in the TEI and to establish a common vision and direction.   

Outline the plan for the formalization and growth of the sector and aims to unlock the full economic potential and stimulate growth potential for TEI as well as provide economic opportunities and jobs, entrepreneurial potential especially for people from poor and marginalised communities. 

Create dialogue, shared learning, strategic partnerships and economic opportunities with the public sector to support the development of the TEI.

• The challenge focusses on building an effective supply chain while mitigating the risk of climate change;
• Human-Animal conflict poses a challenge for farmers, particularly in Botswana;
• Enabling agri-tech adoption to ensure future successes.

Johannesburg, 8 August 2019– Currently, sixty percent of the world's unused land is in Africa. Even within South Africa, in the north of Limpopo, smallholder farmers are responsible for 90% of the production in Africa. In South Africa alone, 90% of production comes from commercial farms; indicating major opportunity to ensure food security by tapping into the potential of the land and the farmers themselves.

The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), along with their Batswana partners; The Botswana Institute for Technology, Research, and Innovation (BITRI) and Brynston Creations, have specifically crafted the latest SAIS open innovation agriculture challenge to address food insecurity. The challenge focusses on four key areas; Building an effective supply chain, mitigating the risk of climate change, resolving human-animal conflict, and enabling agri-tech adoption.

“Through this challenge, entrepreneurs and businesses who are capable of solving the issues will gain access to market, valuable business training and be introduced to relevant players in their fields. We will do all we can to make successful challenge participants a success through entrepreneurial training, a 3-month incubation, accelerator programs and wherever possible, network opportunities and market access,” said RIIS Executive Clen Cook. 

More information around this latest initiative can be found on https://www.oiregionalconnect.com/

Contact: Alana Kruger
Project Manager
Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) 
Switchboard: +27 12 012 5015
Cell: +27 72 607 0332
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• The open innovation projects fall under the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAIS) Programme funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland);
• RIIS partners with the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), and Brynston Creations to complete the planned projects;
• The first two projects tailored for the Agriculture and Tourism sectors to launch 22 July 2019;
• Successful challenge entrants to receive support, including a three-month incubation at BITRI which includes pitching training, business validation assistance and the opportunity to potentially receive start-up funding from relevant venture capitalists.  

Johannesburg, 9 July 2019 – The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), along with their Batswana partners; The Botswana Institute for Technology, Research and Innovation (BITRI) and Brynston Creations, launched the second Southern Africa Innovation Support Programme, aimed at addressing challenges in the Health, Education, Agriculture and Tourism (HEAT) sectors through open innovation in the SADC region. 

Funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the first two challenges launching 22 July will focus on the Agriculture and Tourism sectors. The planned agriculture open innovation project will concentrate on ensuring food security for the future of Africa while considering soil fertility, mitigating the risk of climate change, human-animal conflict and agricultural technology adoption. The tourism open innovation challenge aims to ensure the sector as a stable income for the continent through empowering women in tourism, lowering the prevailing 80/20 tourism-spend ratio between large and small tourism players, and recreating “Brand Africa”. 

At an event held in Johannesburg, RIIS Executive Clen Cook, said: “This whole programme is designed to foster collaboration which will enable innovation that crosses borders. By using the open innovation approach, entrepreneurs from all walks of life and means are provided with a platform into the market. We encourage all who want to help address the challenges we face in the SADC region to participate. Through RIIS, BITRI, and SAIS we will do our part through the provision of extensive support, training, and development, as well as potential access to funds, to make all start-ups identified in these challenges a success.” 

More information around this latest initiative can be found on https://www.oiregionalconnect.com/.

Contact: Alana Kruger
Project Manager
Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) 

Switchboard: +27 12 012 5015
Cell: +27 72 607 0332
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rooftop farms may be next big thing in agri-business – Signium Africa (www.signium.co.za)

City-wide hydroponic rooftop farming co-operatives have the potential to become the next big thing in commercial agriculture. The prediction comes from Signium Africa, an executive search and talent management company with a large book of agri-business clients in South Africa and across the sub-Saharan region. Annelize van Rensburg, director responsible for Signium Africa’s agriculture portfolio, says first signs of the rooftop farming explosion are already evident, with black small-scale entrepreneurs in the forefront.

Van Rensburg notes: “We work for major corporates in the agricultural industry, but stay close to all important developments in the sectors we serve and the growing potential of hydroponic-based rooftop gardens in inner cities is the biggest trend on the mid-term horizon.

“Many of today’s big agri-businesses began as farming cooperatives that were formed decades ago when farmers banded together to achieve economies of scale and secure sustainable profits. The burgeoning growth of individual rooftop farms suggests similar potential exists for the formation of city-wide cooperatives by rooftop farmers. “The trend is taken seriously by the banks and organisations like Agbiz, the agricultural business chamber.

We expect critical mass in the next couple of years.” Rooftop farms are created when ‘agripreneurs’ rent empty space on the top of city buildings and use water-efficient hydroponic cultivation to grow vegetables and other crops. Inner city locations create logistic efficiencies as the farms are within walking distance of their target market – city dwellers looking for affordable food sources.

Karen Grobler, Agbiz marketing and communications manager, confirmed the organisation monitored transformation initiatives, including rooftop farms, and was excited by prospects. She says: “Our focus is on established formal business, but these small-scale entrepreneurs certainly have potential for sustained growth. We’re particularly impressed by the resourcefulness of these industry entrants.

“They are often businesswomen with a talent for creating solutions. For instance, some are looking at bio-reactors and solar energy to reduce their reliance on the electricity grid as hydroponics need a dependable power source. They already supply local retailers. Further growth can be expected.” The banks are also close to rooftop developments. Loffie Brandt, head, sales enablement, at Absa Bank, says there is “significant future potential for a massive uptick”.

He adds: “It is certainly a space where we could play in as finance is needed by all growth-minded business. Size is not always essential as with hydroponics there is potential for high-volume production at a single site. This suggests commercial viability could be achieved by small, individual operators.” One highly successful agripreneur, Sibongile Cele, has already demonstrated the growth potential up on the roof.

Her Mcebo Wealth Rooftop Farm has been supplying organically grown produce for more than two years. Crops include lettuce, spinach and herbs. The hydroponic system employs metal racking for maximum space efficiency, enabling vegetables to be grown ‘off the shelf’. Her operations in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, were funded by the Small Enterprise Development Agency and she currently reaches retail markets via an agent. She says: “I have an accounting background, so commercial success is important to me, but I also have a social mission. Providing food for the community gives me a sense of purpose.

It is also important to set an example for other women and show we can be successful, run businesses and provide food for our families and communities. “This is only the start. The sky’s the limit for rooftop farming.” Ends 

 Signium Africa (previously Talent Africa) is a leading South Africa-based executive search and talent management company servicing sub-Saharan Africa. 

Website: www.signium.co.za Tel:                 +27 11 771 4800 Issued By:     Tale Spin Media & Marketing    Zelda Williams 082 461 0689 or Gillian Schmid 082 960 3233   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.