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This week — Africa Children’s Summit, Children and Climate Change Lecture, Young Farmers’ Indaba

This week — Africa Children’s Summit, Children and Climate Change Lecture, Young Farmers’ Indaba
Lerato Mutsila
By Lerato Mutsila
31 Mar 2025
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The first week of April is packed with critical discussions and gatherings across South Africa. The South African Medical Association is set to challenge the National Health Insurance Act, while Wits University will celebrate the legacy of Michael Burawoy. The Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba will bring agricultural leaders together, and a Southern Africa Litigation Centre webinar will explore community-based strategies against misinformation.

On Tuesday, 1 April at 11am, the South African Medical Association (Sama) will announce a challenge against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. 

Sama said the challenge will outline the risks and implications of the NHI for healthcare service delivery, governance and patient access.

Venue: Sama head office (Block F, Castle Walk Corporate Park, Nossob Street, Erasmuskloof).

To attend virtually, register here.

civil society NHI

Also on Tuesday, at 4pm, Wits University’s Department of Sociology and the National Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences will host a joint hybrid event celebrating the Life of Michael Burawoy and relaunching of Eddie Webster’s Cast in a Racial Mould.

Venue: Southwest Engineering Building, Graduate Seminar Room, Braamfontein Campus East.

Register here.



The 2025 Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba takes place on 1 and 2 April (Tuesday and Wednesday), bringing together farmers from across the country, agricultural stakeholders, members of the government and sponsors and presenting networking opportunities and a camp.

The standout events include:


  • Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen: Driving agricultural transformation – the role of policy in shaping the future;

  • Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, MEC for agriculture and land reform in Gauteng: The future of South African agriculture: What’s next?

  • Ivor Karan, founder of Karan Beef: Breaking into the commercial sector: Lessons from a beef giant; and

  • Kgomotso Ranchu, a Free State cattle farmer: Building Resilience and Sustainability in Livestock Farming.


Venue: Lavender Kontrei Market, Pretoria North.

Click here to buy tickets.



On Thursday, 3 April at 2.30pm the Southern Africa Litigation Centre will host an online discussion on community-based strategies to fight false information. 

“The rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation in southern Africa poses significant threats to democratic processes, social cohesion and the fundamental right to freedom of expression. This webinar aims to delve deeper into community-based strategies to combat false information while safeguarding democratic freedoms,” the organisation said.

The speakers include: 

  • Sibongile Korpu Sukati, news editor at the Eswatini Observer;

  • Tampose Mothopeng, executive director of the People’s Matrix Association (Lesotho);

  • Zakithi Sibandze, national coordinator for the Swaziland Rural Women’s Assembly (Eswatini); and

  • Samuel Chigamba of the Epilepsy Warriors Foundation.


Register to join the conversation at this link.



Also on Thursday, at 3 pm, TrustAfrica and Farafina: The Black Link will host a discussion on the African diaspora’s response to the “Rise of new US Imperialism”.

“As the world reels over fast-changing news from the US, we explore the response by African diaspora activists, academics, philanthropists and humanists!” the organisers say.

The panellists include:

  • Briggs Bomba, programme director, TrustAfrica;

  • Emira Woods, ED, Green Leadership Trust – climate;

  • Coumba Toure, Invisible Giants/TrustAfrica;

  • Bill Fletcher, former president of the TransAfrica Forum;

  • Phumi Mtetwa, Jass Just Associates; and

  • LaTosha Brown of Black Voters Matter.


Register for the discussion here.



Also on Thursday, at 6pm, the Centre for Child Law and SECTION27 will host an X space on the impact of climate change on children and how they lead the fight for climate justice.

SECTION27 will be in conversation with Liesl Muller, a leading public interest lawyer and climate justice expert from the Centre for Child Law and Black Girls Rising.

Join the conversation here.



From Friday, 4 April to Monday, 7 April, the South African government, the Department of Social Development and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund will host the 2025 Africa Children’s Summit.

Themed “Seen, Heard, Engaged”, it will bring together 300 children in person at Roedean Senior School and St John’s College in Johannesburg, while 1,000 young participants will join virtually.

“The child-led conference represents a pivotal milestone in amplifying African children’s voices in policy-making and decision-making processes. Building on the momentum of the Nairobi Summit, this conference reaffirms the importance of placing children at the forefront of matters that impact their lives,” the organisation said.

Venue: Roedean Senior School and St John’s College, Parktown. DM

 

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