They Got SA Agriculture Wrong | Wandile Sihlobo on South Africa’s Hidden Strength

Is South African agriculture really falling apart — or have we been telling the wrong story? Wandile Sihlobo says the facts point to something very different. South Africa is the only African country ranked among the top 40 global agricultural exporters, and agricultural exports recently reached a record 15.1 billion US dollars. In this Lucentlands Podcast clip, Wandile Sihlobo, South Africa’s Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land, Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), and author of three books, explains why South African agriculture is not a sunset industry — and why the way we speak about the sector matters. From export performance and market confidence to food security, rural development and national stability, Wandile makes the case for seeing agriculture as one of South Africa’s most important strategic industries. This clip was recorded at the Hortgro Technical Symposium 2026. Featured guest: Wandile Sihlobo South Africa’s Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) Author of three books Hosted by Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie of Lucentlands. Watch more conversations with the people shaping South African agriculture on the Lucentlands Podcast. Website: www.lucentlands.co.za #LucentlandsPodcast #WandileSihlobo #SouthAfricanAgriculture #Agbiz #Agriculture #Agribusiness #FoodSecurity #AgriculturalExports #RuralDevelopment #Hortgro