In the face of Africa’s mounting agricultural and environmental challenges, a new generation of scholar-leaders is emerging equipped with both academic excellence and a deep commitment to community transformation. One such inspiring example is Sakhiwo Sukati, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar whose journey spans from the farmlands of Eswatini to the research labs of the University of Pretoria. His path blends grassroots experience with cutting-edge agricultural research, all in pursuit of a more sustainable and inclusive future for farming across the continent.

Sukati’s story began in the fields of Eswatini, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Crop Science at the University of Eswatini. Grounded in agronomy and smallholder farming systems, his studies were shaped by intensive fieldwork and close engagement with rural communities. These early experiences sparked a passion for practical, people-centred agricultural solutions further deepened through his role as an Agronomist at Pannar Seed, where he managed seed demonstration plots and led farmer training programmes.

This practical foundation soon evolved into a deeper scientific inquiry. Pursuing a Master’s degree in Crop Science at the University of Pretoria, Sukati expanded his scope from field to laboratory focusing on critical sustainability issues such as mine water irrigation, salinity stress, and the use of alternative water sources in agriculture. Rather than a shift away from community-based work, this transition marked an expansion of his mission: to develop innovative solutions for the complex water challenges facing Southern Africa.

At the heart of this transformation is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which champions transformational leadership, inclusive education, and youth empowerment. For Sukati, the program reframed the purpose of academic research not merely to publish findings, but to solve real problems; not just to learn, but to lead.

“Being part of an institution influenced by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program reshaped how I see my role in agriculture,” Sukati reflects. “It inspired me to write and distribute crop production guides tailored for farmers in Eswatini because knowledge-sharing is an act of empowerment.”

Through leadership development, networking opportunities, and holistic support, the program became a powerful catalyst for change far beyond the lecture hall.

Universities themselves are evolving to meet these challenges. At the University of Pretoria, traditional academic silos are giving way to interdisciplinary, climate-focused curricula. Courses increasingly integrate agricultural science with economics, environmental policy, and sustainability studies. Faculty members like Professor J.G. Annandale play a pivotal role in bridging theory and practice, mentoring students to address real-world issues such as water reuse, drought resilience, and agribusiness development.

Sukati’s current research on the use of mine water for agricultural irrigation is a compelling example of how innovation can emerge from adversity. In regions like Gauteng and Mpumalanga, mine runoff often pollutes water sources, rendering them saline and acidic. However, with rigorous research and responsible management, this so-called "waste" water can be repurposed to cultivate salt-tolerant crops like canola, flax, sweet sorghum, and sunn hemp.

Ultimately, this work informs evidence-based policy and presents viable alternatives to expensive industrial water treatment transforming a liability into a lifeline for communities and ecosystems alike.

For Sukati, leadership and inclusion are more than ideals they are lived practices. As leader of the crop production team at the Moja Gabedi Garden, he applies key lessons from the Scholars Program teamwork, empathy, and innovation to real-world community food production. His previous role at Lake Agriculture integrated real-time marketing and extension services to support farmers, reaffirming his belief that agricultural leadership must pair technical expertise with a genuine commitment to serve.

From research labs and mentorship networks to career development support and soft-skills training, the structural support provided by both the University of Pretoria and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has been critical to Sukati’s success. These systems don’t just support individual they cultivate leaders who return as mentors, agripreneurs, or policy influencers shaping the future of African agriculture.

Drawing from his experience, Sukati offers these insights for universities looking to build sustainable, student-centred agricultural programs:

• Co-create curricula with farmers, researchers, and policymakers,
• Prioritise applied research addressing local challenges like water reuse and soil salinity,
• Integrate structured leadership development into academic pathways,
• Support student innovation through field-based learning and incubation spaces.
• Expand access to underserved and rural students, unlocking Africa’s full potential.

“Above all,” Sukati concludes, “treat students not just as learners, but as future custodians of sustainable agriculture and community transformation.”

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program stands as a testament to how higher education, when guided by equity, leadership, and service, can yield far more than graduates it cultivates agents of change.

This is not just one scholar’s story. It is a blueprint for the critical role that Africa’s universities backed by visionary partnerships can play in cultivating an agricultural future that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. From Eswatini to Pretoria and beyond, the seeds of transformation are already taking root.