By SayPro Royal Committee Secretary – Mary Mapula Malebe
Your Majesties, Respected Elders, Esteemed Guests, Community Leaders, SayPro Colleagues, and Fellow Citizens,
Good day.
It is both a privilege and a heartfelt honour to address you on this important occasion — SayPro Agriculture Day 2025. This is not just a celebration of agriculture. It is a celebration of our culture, our resilience, and the unity that binds us to the land and to each other.
As the Secretary of the SayPro Royal Committee, my role is to preserve the integrity of communication, documentation, and the collective voice of our royal and traditional stakeholders. Today, I proudly stand as a voice for both our heritage and our future — a bridge between wisdom passed down through generations and the urgent needs of a changing agricultural landscape.
Agriculture has always been the foundation of our existence. From our ancestors who first tilled the soil to today’s young innovators who use technology to farm smarter, the story of our people is rooted in the earth. But for that story to thrive, it must be guided, recorded, and protected with care, honesty, and accountability.
This year, 2025, has shown us that agriculture is not only about production — it is about participation, policy, planning, and preservation. We, in the Royal Committee, have ensured that:
- Traditional leaders and rural communities have a clear voice in agricultural development
- Customary knowledge and indigenous farming techniques are being documented and integrated into sustainable practices
- All financial records, decisions, and agreements made within our agricultural partnerships are transparent, ethical, and accessible
- Our collaborations with institutions such as the University of Johannesburg are strengthened through well-documented internship programmes and inclusive learning pathways
SayPro has empowered communities to move forward while honouring where they come from. Through our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) initiatives, we have opened doors for young people to see agriculture not just as labour, but as leadership.
We must remember: every field planted begins with a plan. Every harvest starts with a conversation. Every successful programme depends on record-keeping, coordination, and trust.
To our farmers — your daily work is the lifeblood of our nation.
To our royal leaders — your wisdom keeps us grounded.
To SayPro — your structure ensures we thrive together.
And to our youth — you are the scribes of a new era in agriculture.
As Secretary, I commit to continuing our work with diligence, transparency, and cultural respect. Together, we will document a legacy that future generations will be proud to inherit.
May SayPro Agriculture Day 2025 be a reminder of what we can grow — not only in our soil, but in our values and shared humanity.
Let us record greatness. Let us cultivate legacy. Let us harvest unity.
I thank you.
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