Matlosana: Leaders Inspire Youth and Future Farmers Through Education and Agriculture
- Karen Scheepers
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Matlosana continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering young people through education and practical experience. This week, two key initiatives, a motivational school visit by the Speaker of the Council, Cllr Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya, and an educational engagement at the Matlosana National Fresh Produce Market, highlighted the city’s focus on developing future leaders and farmers. Both events reflected a shared goal: to inspire confidence, ignite ambition, and equip learners with the knowledge and values needed to build a stronger, more resilient community.
Students Gain Real-World Agricultural Insights
The Matlosana National Fresh Produce Market recently opened its doors to students from the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, providing them with hands-on exposure to the agricultural value chain and the inner workings of a large-scale produce market.
Through an interactive presentation and guided market tour, learners gained a better understanding of the critical elements that drive the agricultural economy, including quality standards, quantity management, product timing, and packaging processes.
Agent Mr. Joseph Otukile, who works closely with producers and buyers in the fresh produce sector, shared valuable insights into emerging opportunities in agriculture. He encouraged students to approach farming with innovation, resilience, and passion, highlighting how young people can transform the future of the industry through sustainable practices.
Students actively engaged throughout the session, asking questions about market operations, trading mechanisms, and the challenges facing small-scale farmers. The experience aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, preparing them for active roles in agricultural entrepreneurship.
The Matlosana National Fresh Produce Market reaffirmed its commitment to educational outreach and agricultural development, inviting future investors to explore opportunities within the local agribusiness ecosystem. By leveraging existing infrastructure and expertise, the market continues to promote growth that benefits both the regional economy and community livelihoods.
Speaker Encourages Learners to Excel in Final Exams
In another display of youth engagement and leadership, the Speaker of the City of Matlosana Council, Cllr Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya, paid a special visit to her former school, Matlhaleng Secondary School in Kanana, earlier this week.
Her visit, held just days before the start of the Class of 2025’s final examinations, was aimed at motivating learners to approach their studies with discipline, confidence, and determination. Addressing the students, Cllr Mondlane-Ngwenya emphasized the value of education as the foundation of personal growth and community progress.
She reminded the learners that success comes through perseverance, focus, and belief in one’s abilities, qualities she described as essential not only for academic achievement but also for life beyond the classroom.
The Speaker’s message resonated deeply with the learners, who expressed gratitude for her encouragement and inspiration. Many shared that seeing a leader who once walked the same school corridors served as a powerful reminder that hard work and commitment can open doors to limitless opportunities.
Building a Future of Growth and Opportunity
Both initiatives, the agricultural learning visit and the Speaker’s school outreach, highlight Matlosana’s dedication to empowering the next generation through education, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
By connecting young people with real-world knowledge and inspiring leadership, these programmes contribute to a broader vision of community upliftment and sustainable development. They reflect a shared goal: to nurture informed, motivated, and skilled citizens who will shape the city’s social and economic future.
As the Matlosana National Fresh Produce Market continues to foster agricultural innovation and the City Council champions educational empowerment, the region’s youth stand at the centre of a dynamic journey, one defined by learning, growth, and the belief that with support and determination, they can achieve greatness.
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