Logo Goethe-Institut

South Africa

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10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Cultivating Resilience: Growing Food, Knowledge, and Community

Panel Discussion and Food Pop-Up by Lipato I Umpheki|The first event of project Cultivating Sustainable Futures expands on the theme “Cultivating Resilience: Growing Food, Knowledge, and Community” presenting a Panel Discussion and a Food Pop-Up by Lipato I Umpheki.

Web header for Sustainable Together: Cultivating Sustainable Futures event © Goethe-Institut

Web header for Sustainable Together: Cultivating Sustainable Futures event © Goethe-Institut

3pm: Panel discussion: “Cultivating Resilience: Growing Food, Knowledge, and Community” (Open)

This panel explores the transformative power of food-growing practices rooted in agroecology, community-led initiatives and indigenous knowledge. It brings together diverse voices and experiences to examine how cultivating food can serve as a form of resistance, healing, and resilience in the face of ecological and social crises. From traditional farming systems to urban gardening and permaculture, the discussion will highlight the role of land, culture, and community in reclaiming food sovereignty and building sustainable futures.

After the panel discussion guests can enjoy drinks and snacks prepared by Lipato I Umpheki.

10am until 2pm: Food Pop-up Experience by Lipato I Umpheki (Fully Booked)

Lipato Shogole will curate our 1st Long Table Session inviting guests to step into a space for learning, reconnection and healing, which he creates through celebrating seasonal and local produce, sharing knowledge and building communities.

The concept is inspired by 'Ilima lombona' - a celebration of corn as South Africa’s golden crop, highlighting its cultural significance even as a non-indigenous South African crop. Ilima is a xhosa expression for community support, where people come together to plough fields (commonly umbona/corn) without expecting payment, only in kind. The project embraces this spirit by uniting a community to uplift each other through collaboration and skills sharing.
Guests will join the meal preparation, learn about seasonal and local produce and engage in lively discussions around alternative food systems.

Lipato will also present a sustainable clothing exhibition inspired by umbona (corn). The clothes are crafted by Ubuntu Collaboration Project with participants from Msobomvu village using upcycled materials, food dye and traditional techniques.

Lipato Shogole, a multidisciplinary artist, umpheki | chef, and a cultural practitioner based in Msobumvu village in the Eastern Cape. Founder of Hae Emakhaya and Ukutya projects, two platforms rooted in celebrating and preserving African heritage through food, research and community projects.

Biographies for speakers and moderator

Dr. Naudé Malan is an academic and practitioner with wide practical and academic experience. Naudé is the Convener of iZindaba Zokudla, a multi-stakeholder engagement project that aims to create opportunities for urban agriculture in a sustainable food system. iZindaba Zokudla uses social innovation events to reach its aims which include food system transformation, sustainable enterprise creation, and the cultivation of communities of practice and innovation amongst participants in the food system in South Africa. Since 2022, he has been appointed Associate Professor at the College of Business and Economics and is the Head of the Diploma in Small Business Management.

Lipato Shogole, a multidisciplinary artist, umpheki | chef, and a cultural practitioner based in Msobumvu village in the Eastern Cape. Founder of Hae Emakhaya and Ukutya projects, two platforms rooted in celebrating and preserving African heritage through food, research and community projects. His goal is not to only feed people, but to awaken memory, create spaces for healing, learning and reconnection, and build futures that are rooted in our story. 

Vho-Mphatheleni Makaulule (Mphathe) is an environmental activist and defender of sacred sites, and a researcher in the transfer of indigenous knowledge to future generations. She is a founder and executive director of the Dzomo la Mupo where she facilitates indigenous knowledge systems dialogues for the interaction on issues of environmental injustices. Her father was a traditional healer, farmer, and community leader. Mphathe has long recognized the significance of this and her ancestral origins, integrating this in her work and life. For more than 35 years, she has been working with the Venda elders, her libraries of knowledge, to transfer indigenous knowledge to the younger generation, particularly the Makhadzi (women) of the communities. In 2023, she obtained her master’s degree from University of Venda on African studies paying attention on indigenous knowledge perspectives on holistic indigenous uses of Luranga cucurbit pumpkin plant. 

Inolofatseng Lekaba is experienced in fostering socio-spatial transformation with grassroots organisations and academic institutions. They have proven ability in project management, qualitative research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Possessing a strong academic background in urban planning, with a Master's obtained with distinction. Expertise in decolonial methodologies, climate-resilient cities, localising SDGs, spatial justice, alliances in urban renewal.