In the wake of COVID-19, rural South African farmers—especially Black and poor communities—faced deepening hunger and economic instability, compounded by drought, crop failure, and the enduring legacies of land dispossession under colonial apartheid. In northern KwaZulu-Natal, many turned to agroecology and the work of Biowatch South Africa, which supports traditional farming practices rooted in local climate knowledge and isiZulu culture. Through techniques like intercropping, composting, water conservation, and ecosystem-based pest control, farmers are reviving resilient, low-cost food systems. Local women are at the forefront: Jabulile Gina, from Ingwavuma, now grows enough vegetables to last until the next planting season; Gugu Dlamini, from Jozini, used agroecology to feed ten family members during lockdown and sell surplus to a supermarket; and Sthandiwe and Wilson Dlamini, from Otimati, supply fresh produce to clinics and schools. These community-led efforts demonstrate how agroecology is rebuilding food security, improving health, and creating economic opportunities amid overlapping crises.
