Who we are
The African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) is a registered Non-Profit Company (NPC) dedicated to representing and advancing the interests of developing farmers, smallholder farming, and black commercial farmers across South Africa.
Mission & Purpose
AFASA’s core mission is to empower developing farmers by advocating for their inclusion, growth, and support in all engagements with government bodies and key stakeholders. Through strategic lobbying and policy advocacy, AFASA works to shape agricultural policies that benefit South African farmers.
Key Focus Areas
Policy Advocacy & Influence
AFASA actively participates in policy development processes to ensure fair representation and support for African and developing farmers.
Agribusiness Integration
The organisation helps developing farmers identify and access opportunities throughout the agribusiness value chain—from production to processing and distribution.
Capacity Building & Support
Poverty Alleviation & Job Creation
By supporting primary producers, AFASA promotes sustainable agriculture that drives economic growth and employment in all communities.
Resource Mobilisation
The organisation connects farmers with financial and technical assistance from both government institutions and the private sector pa
Our History
The African Farmers Association of South Africa was launched on the 12th of April 2011 by 3000 founding members from all nine provinces of South Africa, who were formally NAFU-SA members.
The launch of AFASA is the culmination of a year long consultation process with developing farmers country wide to determine their need for an official structure that represents their interests. As part of the consultative process, a national convention of African Farmers held in Bloemfontein in December 2010 adopted a new constitution, structure and a five-year-strategic plan. After the convention, district and provincial structures were launched between 18 January and 5 April 2011.
Leadership was democratically elected in the provinces using the constitutional guidelines adopted by the convention. The final stage was the founding conference of AFASA which was held in Boksburg, Gauteng on 10-12 April 2011, during which the farmers formally adopted the name African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) and the founding constitution as well as elected and appointed national leadership.
Principles of management
Mission
To facilitate the development of African farmers in order to increase their meaningful participation in the agricultural sector.
Vision
To have competent and successful commercial African farmers of South Africa.
Values
Individuals who come together for a common purpose that espouses what it stands for in order to attract those similar values.
Strategic objectives
AFASA’s strategic objectives are to create a sustainable united body of African farmers with the capacity to influence policies through lobbying and advocacy in favour of African farmers. To facilitate the development of competencies of African farmers in order for them to participate meaningfully in formal and informal markets. To mobilize resources for the benefit of African farmers.
- To be led by people of high integrity in order to create • trust, loyalty and confidence amongst its members, employees and the public.
- To be a farmer centred organisation.
- To ensure that the organisation remains true to its mission and objectives.
- To strive for excellence including efficient and effective service provision at all levels.
- To maintain high levels of professionalism at all times
- To be transparent and accountable at all times
- To respect the rights, culture and dignity of its members, employees and the public regardless of gender, race, class, tribe, political and religious affiliation or belief.
Board of directors
Mr AJ Mthembu
President
Mr Raato Mogajane
Director
Ms Lilitha Mahlati
Director