Tandiswa Hopa – Sowing seeds of change

“Every seed I plant is a protest. A protest against hunger, against inequality, against a system that forgot its people.”

Tandiswa Hopa, affectionately known as Tandi, is a 50-year-old organic farmer, community activist, and founder of Green Riverbend Programs, based in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa. With 17 years of experience as a community development specialist, Tandi transitioned into full-time farming in 2016, driven by her passion for food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture. Starting with no formal funding but strong family support, she and her husband purchased 44-hectares of virgin land along a riverbend, where she established a thriving vegetable, poultry, and agro-processing enterprise.

Tandi mentors women and youth, training them in organic farming techniques and market access strategies while leading a food hub that enables farmers to set fair prices. She is also a passionate advocate for just food systems, climate adaptation, and women’s leadership in agriculture.

Website: https://www.riverbendvk.co.za/

https://gracamacheltrust.org