Heritage Week Agri-Processing Dialogue + MEC Affiliate Dialogue

The Heritage Week Agri-Processing Dialogue at the Encore Complex Theatre in Hatfield brought together public-sector officials, agri-processing entrepreneurs, and YiB affiliates around the future of inclusive agro-processing in Gauteng.

The keynote was delivered by Vuyiswa Ramokgopa — at the time of the event, the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development; her portfolio expanded in April 2026 to also cover Economic Development. Earlier in 2025, MEC Ramokgopa launched the R100M NEF–GDARD Agro-Processing Fund, a blended finance facility (30% grant / 70% debt) targeting black-owned businesses across grain, horticulture, poultry, red meat, cannabis, and aquaculture value chains.

The YiB dialogue was a private engagement with the policymaker actively deploying capital into the value chains the YiB pipeline serves. Sponsored by SEDFA. Public-event speakers included Toko Masemola, Ofentse Ntuli, and Onneile Khwene. A 48-member private affiliate breakaway session ran alongside the public dialogue.