Tandiswa Hopa is the chief executive of Riverbend Farming Enterprises, where she leads operations that combine sustainable food production with community empowerment. Her responsibilities include overseeing livestock and crop management, ensuring efficient operations, and managing a food hub at the Fresh Produce Market that sources fresh produce from emerging farmers and connects them with buyers. She also serves as director of a non-profit organisation promoting agroecological farming practices and food systems advocacy. Her journey into agriculture began unexpectedly. Growing up in Mdantsane, Tandiswa developed a love for the land while helping her parents tend their garden, where they planted maize, pumpkins, spinach, and other greens. After a career in education and later in development funding, where she assisted agricultural entrepreneurs in securing funding and writing business plans, she realised her true calling. In 2016, she left formal employment to pursue farming full-time. Under her leadership, Riverbend has trained farmers transitioning to sustainable agriculture and hosted interns from agricultural colleges. Her influence extends globally through her appointment as a C20 facilitator, contributing to a G20 policy brief on poverty alleviation and food sovereignty. Tandiswa believes that actual growth comes through perseverance, continuous learning, and nurturing both people and the planet.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Honours in Development Studies, University of South Africa
- Bachelor’s degree in Human and Social Sciences, specialising in Development Studies, University of South Africa
- Senior Primary Teachers Diploma, Dr WB Rubusana College of Education
- Human Resources Management, Rhodes University
- Project Management Certificate, Rhodes University Leadership Development Institute
ACHIEVEMENTS
I am proud that, as an organisation we have been able to attract interns from various Agricultural Colleges to learn about sustainable agriculture from our operations. We have also conducted training for farmers willing to transition from conventional to sustainable farming. We have formed a partnership with similar organisations and have been able to work with them to promote advocacy for sustainable food systems. I am also proud that we were recognised for operating a food hub, which provides access to markets for other farmers as well. I have recently been appointed as one of the facilitators of the C20 working groups focusing on developing a policy brief for the G20 on Poverty Alleviation and Food Sovereignty.
