Agri Entrepreneurship: Reiger Park school empowers young women to break agricultural stereotypes

In Reiger Park, Gauteng, the Oosrand Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation is empowering young women through a hands-on agriculture programme, breaking gender stereotypes in farming and agri-research careers. The school's agriculture programme, running in its second year, trains 20 learners, mostly young women, selected for academic merit and interest in the subject.

The programme, offered as a pilot project at eight schools of specialisation in Gauteng, aims to develop learners' skills and employability while still in school.

The programme began with strictly theoretical agriculture at the school until 2024, when MarketPlace Academy installed a borehole, horticulture tunnels, and later, two more horticulture tunnels by Shoprite Foundation. These facilities enable learners to receive practical training in plant production, irrigation, and soil testing after school on Mondays and Fridays.

Funded by sustainable mining and agricultural company Omnia, the programme is accredited with AgriSETA, offering learners credits and a certificate for their participation.

The curriculum includes four modules covering the practical aspects of theoretical concepts taught in class. Learners grow crops such as chillies, cabbage, spinach, carrots, beetroot, onions, and tomatoes, which are sold to the community, providing them with entrepreneurial experience. The programme also teaches learners how to process and sell food, stimulating their interest and addressing occasional demotivation.

Two teachers at the school have completed 15 months of agricultural training to become occupational trainers, aiming to facilitate the program in the future.