Thought Leadership

As South Africa awaits the national budget speech, the debate is already framed around familiar themes: fiscal consolidation, debt stabilisation, and constrained revenue. These are legitimate concerns. But the deeper question is whether this budget will meaningfully shift the development model toward communities, where unemployment, hunger, and climate shocks are most acutely felt.

Public employment programmes are often framed as temporary relief. In reality, they are among the most effective economic tools available to a country facing structural unemployment, deep inequality, and fragile local economies. When designed well, public employment does not drain the fiscus. It activates it.

FOUR years ago, Standerton, like many towns across South Africa, was still reeling from the aftershocks of COVID-19. Jobs had disappeared, household incomes had collapsed, and hope was in short supply. Young people, in particular, were left wondering where their futures might lead. Food insecurity deepened, illegal dumping spread across open land, and public spaces became symbols of neglect rather than pride.

Established in 2009, Seriti is a development facilitation agency that connects communities, businesses, and government to build systems that endure beyond individual projects. Rather than delivering stand-alone interventions, Seriti realigns partners around shared outcomes – turning short-term initiatives into sustainable livelihoods.

Komati is shifting from its coal-mining past toward a resilient, diversified future. Through the SEF initiative, the Seriti Institute is strengthening food security, restoring community confidence, and laying the groundwork for a technology-enabled local economy.

A community-led agricultural model in Deelpan, North West, is improving food security, creating jobs, and strengthening rural governance. This showcases how the Seriti Institute is transforming the lives of rural communities in South Africa. Established in 2009, Seriti Institute has grown into one of South Africa’s leading non-profit

The two-year project, implemented between 2023 and 2025, funded by the Citi Foundation Innovation Challenge, resulted in the establishment of 50 new farming enterprises. It is supported with training, inputs, tools and infrastructure such as irrigation systems, shade nets, poultry houses, and storage facilities.

On 18 September 2025, Standerton came alive with resilience and community pride as the Seriti Institute hosted its 3rd Annual Farmers’ Day at the local showgrounds. More than 500 people — including smallholder farmers, families, youth, and agricultural partners — came together for a day of inspiration, practical learning, and celebration.

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.