Several partners reinforced the message of turning to indigenous, high-quality food during their talks on 17 June 2025 at the University’s Anniversary Lane, where staff and students purchased indigenous food primarily from small-scale farmers, some of whom are former University students. The Dean of the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, Professor Alfred Msomi, described the event as a “celebration of our rich cultural heritage, innovation, and transformative power of indigenous food systems.”
Londiwe Ncube, Food Security Manager at eThekwini Municipality’s Food and Nutrition Security, delivered a powerful message to the attendees and buyers. Ncube wished that people would change their attitudes towards the food they buy and eat. “We would like to see the public eating good quality food. They need to use all the spaces available so their families would be well, particularly those who take chronic medicine,” said Ncube. Ncube was referring to urban farming that people living in urban areas are advised to practice. Ncube said they advise people about the nutritional value of vegetables, like imfino. “We also promote indigenous crops,” Ncube said.
Other participants in the event included Enterprise’s Ilembe, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and a UNICEF Volunteer, among others. Professor Msomi, referring to the entrepreneurship spirit that the farmers exhibited, said: “Your insights on entrepreneurship, land use, seed preservation and food system transformation have not only educated us, but also reignited our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, whose objective is to end hunger and malnutrition in all forms by 2030”. Professor Msomi described the effort by the University students and former students and other participants as “brilliant”, as they showcased indigenous foods, shared knowledge and demonstrated the potential of these traditions in shaping sustainable futures”. Professor Msomi said that the energy, creativity and collaboration on display “are a testament to what we can achieve when we unite under a common purpose”.