Waste To Wonder: How Collaboration, Innovation, And Youth Entrepreneurship Can Transform South Africa’s Food Waste Challenge
ozzy nel, Chief Operating Officer of SA Harvest
At the beginning of each New Year, the attention will naturally shift to education. Schools and universities opened the doors to publish the results of the matrix and questions arose about preparing for the future. This year, an inspiring crossroads are gaining momentum: the convergence of education, youth entrepreneurship and food waste solutions.
Globally, statistics on food waste are shocking. The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) estimates that 17% of global total food production is wasted annually, including the household, food service and retail sectors. 2021 WWF Report, wastewhich suggests that the global total could reach 2.5 billion tons of wasted food each year.
In 2021, CSIR reported that South Africa wasted about 100.3 million tons of food each year, accounting for one-third of the country’s production. Meanwhile, according to the latest from Stats SA, youth unemployment rate exceeds 60% of South Africans aged 15-24 Quarterly Labor Force Survey.
These statistics highlight a powerful opportunity: equipping young South Africans to convert food waste into viable, scalable resources.
Academic and Industry: The Perfect Game
Last year, the Department of Consumer and Food Science at the University of Pretoria worked with SA Harvest and other stakeholders to collaborate for the second annual Postal Food Experience. Under the banner of #Waster2wonder, college students showcase food and retail products made from excess ingredients.
This initiative reveals the potential for change in academia and in the nonprofit sector working in synchronously. Transform food waste into a marketable product, and students gain practical skills and entrepreneurial insights. In a country struggling with high unemployment, these lessons are not just academic. They are the path to employment opportunities.
From theory to action
Leaded by Dr. Nadene Marx-Pienaar, whose research center is on food waste research, interdisciplinary students (pure science, retail management and hospitality) have developed innovative prototypes such as snacks for grapes and snacks in sauces. These are not only collective projects; they are viable business models.
The 2024 policy statement from the Ministry of Small Business Development emphasizes that youth entrepreneurship is a key strategy to address unemployment. By redefining food waste as a resource, young entrepreneurs can build businesses that address environmental challenges and economic needs.
“In these collaborative ecosystems, true innovation thrives,” Sa Harvest Coo, Ozzy Nel said. “When industry, academia, government and nonprofits come together, we release the redefinition of the chain and for our youth The creativity of people to create jobs.”
The power of collaboration
SA Harvest’s mission to end South Africa’s hunger depends on multisectoral cooperation. Our partnership with the University of Pretoria reflects how we guide students, provide insights into food value chains, and connect them to the networks that expand their impact.
Real-world projects such as “ugly” agricultural products that upgrade products for retail or designing products promote entrepreneurial thinking. These efforts enable young people to address social challenges while building sustainable businesses.
Build the momentum of 2025
As the new school year begins, initiatives such as rising food experiences and programs such as Kidscove Waster Warriors demonstrate the potential to empower youth. These programs are not only inspiring. These are key strategies to address food insecurity and unemployment.
At SA Harvest, our goal is to expand these efforts to more communities, especially among marginalized youth. By turning waste into miracles, we can cultivate innovative businesses, reduce environmental impacts and boost economic growth.
Food waste is not an insurmountable problem; it is an untapped resource. Through the collective efforts of academia, industry, government and young innovators, we can turn the food waste crisis in South Africa into a real #Waster2Wonder movement to address hunger, create jobs and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.
refer to:
•UNEP (2021). Food waste index report (https://www.unep.org/resources/report/unep-food-waste-index-report-2021)
•WWF (2021). Waste: Global food loss on farms (https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/driven-to-waste-global-food-loss-on-farms)
•CSIR (2021. New Estimates of Food Waste in South Africa) (https://researchspace.csir.co.za)
•Small Business Development Department (2024). Policy Statement on Youth Entrepreneurship.
•Stats SA (2023). Quarterly Labor Force Survey: Third Quarter 2023.
