Thought Leadership

Standerton came alive as Seriti Institute hosted its 3rd Annual Farmers’ Day, exploring drone tech, sustainable practices, and market-ready tools. With over 46 exhibitors and a strong focus on families and youth, the event showcased how collaboration drives transformation in agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) reported in 2022 that smallholder and subsistence farming supports food security for approximately 2.5 million households. Yet, in 2024, nearly one in four South African households experienced hunger (Stats SA, 2024).

Each year, National Science Week invites South Africans to reflect on the role of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in shaping the nation’s future. But as we celebrate innovation and inquiry, we must also reckon with the fact that many young people across the country still experience STEM as a distant concept.

Globally, youth mental health is in crisis. According to the World Health Organization, one in seven young people aged 10–19 lives with a mental disorder — making up 15% of the total disease burden for that age group. Millions of young people around the world are dealing with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and eating disorders — and many do not receive the help they need.

Komati, Mpumalanga - The silence left by the shutdown of the local power station in 2022 is more than just a drop in electricity output. It is the quiet of a community struggling to rebuild after losing its economic heartbeat.

Komati Power Station, which had operated since 1961, played a significant role in powering South Africa through coal-generated electricity. At its height, it supplied 121 megawatts to the national grid.

At the heart of this mission is Juanita Pardesi, a leader who sees change not as a destination, but as a living, breathing process—one that must grow, evolve, and adapt just like the communities it seeks to empower. As the CEO of Seriti Institute, she’s guiding a movement, one that invites people to step into their power and take control of their futures.

Seriti Institute is a strategic implementing partner for the IDC’s SEF programme, a standout initiative under the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES). Uniquely, it provides significant economic and social benefits to thousands of participants across SA.

SA stands at a pivotal moment in its history. The global shift towards sustainable energy, known as the Just Energy Transition (JET), is not just an environmental imperative; it’s an opportunity to reshape our economy, safeguard jobs and build resilient communities.