July was a month of action, learning and solidarity as members of the Rural Women’s Assembly South Africa continued to advance the #OneWomanOneHectare campaign through agroecology, collective action and community development. Across South Africa, rural women demonstrated that access to land is only the beginning. Through collective farming, agro-processing, indigenous knowledge sharing, climate action and community service, women are proving that they are at the heart of transforming South Africa’s food systems.
One of the highlights of the month was the continued revival of “Letsema”( the African tradition of collective community work). In Gauteng, more than 70 community members, including women, men and young people, came together to prepare land for planting. The “Letsema” was not only about cultivating the soil; it was also about strengthening community solidarity, sharing farming knowledge and supporting one another to increase local food production. It demonstrated the power of collective action in building resilient communities and advancing food sovereignty.
The spirit of collaboration was equally evident in Bereaville, Genadendal, where RWA sisters worked together on land preparation, planting and crop management. Their seed multiplication site continues to flourish, with spinach already thriving as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen seed sovereignty, preserve locally adapted seed varieties and improve household food security.
Recognising that sustainable farming depends on continuous learning, RWA Gauteng’s Agroecology Training of Trainers Champions, together with the Balimi Garden Hub, hosted practical agroecology training sessions for farmers and community members. Participants gained hands-on experience in soil preparation, compost and organic manure production, seed saving, companion planting and the importance of backyard food gardens. These practical demonstrations continue to equip communities with affordable, climate-resilient farming methods while promoting agroecology as a pathway to food sovereignty.
Value addition Through Agro-processing
Women’s work does not end in the field. Throughout July, RWA members showcased the importance of agro-processing as a means of adding value to agricultural produce, reducing food waste and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
In KwaNomhle, Eastern Cape, RWA sisters participated in practical training on producing pear jam and canned pineapple, while encouraging communities to embrace healthy organic food and food preservation techniques.
Meanwhile, in Gauteng, members of the Balimi Garden Hub, working alongside RWA sisters, transformed home-grown chillies, garlic and other locally produced ingredients into a range of sauces. The products were hygienically packaged in attractive glass jars, demonstrating how rural women can build local enterprises while promoting nutritious, locally produced food.
Using Agroecology to Combat Climate Change
The Rural Women’s Assembly Free State hosted a successful Climate Change Campaign, bringing together 50 participants, including livestock farmers, crop producers, women and youth, to explore how agroecology can help communities respond to the growing impacts of climate change.
Supported by the Environmental Justice Fund, the campaign created a platform for farmers to discuss practical solutions to challenges such as drought, erratic rainfall, declining soil health, pests and biodiversity loss. Through interactive discussions and knowledge sharing, participants explored agroecological practices that improve soil fertility, protect biodiversity, diversify farming systems and reduce dependence on costly external inputs.
Beyond building awareness, the campaign also strengthened the organisation by recruiting new livestock and crop farmers into the Rural Women’s Assembly, expanding it’s membership and reinforcing collective action for climate justice, food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture.
The campaign reaffirmed that agroecology is more than a farming approach; it is a powerful strategy for environmental justice, climate resilience and farmer-led solutions that strengthen communities while protecting the environment.
Building Caring Communities
The month also reflected RWA’s commitment to community care beyond agriculture. During Mandela Day, RWA sisters in Uitenhage partnered with Friendly Environment to distribute donated second-hand clothing to vulnerable families. The initiative embodied the spirit of humanity, reminding communities that caring for one another is essential to building resilient, compassionate societies.
Growing a Movement
The activities carried out throughout July reaffirm that #OneWomanOneHectare is not simply a campaign about giving women access to land. It is a movement that empowers women to produce food sustainably, preserve indigenous knowledge, protect biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, create local economic opportunities and build community solidarity.
As the Rural Women’s Assembly continues to organise women across South Africa, every Letsema, every seed saved, every garden planted, every product processed and every farmer mobilised brings the movement one step closer to achieving food sovereignty, climate justice and sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.
