Young storytellers bringing organic farming and PGS to life in South Africa
The South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO) is the national body representing the country’s organic sector. Through training, policy advocacy, standards development, certification systems and market support, SAOSO works to strengthen organic farming and build more sustainable food systems.
Through Participatory Guarantee Systems South Africa (PGS SA), SAOSO also supports a community-based organic certification system that helps small-scale farmers access markets and build trust with consumers. Unlike conventional certification, PGS is based on trust, transparency and participation. Farmers, consumers and local stakeholders work together to verify that food is produced according to agreed organic standards.
While PGS is helping to strengthen local food economies and support farmer livelihoods, its impact often remains invisible to the wider public. To help change this, SAOSO partnered with Mycelium Media Colab to launch a Mobile Journalism (MOJO) Storytelling for Change programme.
“Participating in food system transformation is no longer optional, it is an urgent necessity. As we navigate the evolving economic and social challenges of recent years, we need food systems that strengthen consumer sovereignty and democratic participation.”
– Palesa Pahlana, SAOSO Youth Mobile Journalist
Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are second-party organic certification systems that are more appropriate and affordable for small-scale farmers. PGS is a clear and farmer-focused way to show consumers that organic products are trustworthy. It helps farmers connect with each other, share knowledge and build a supportive community. At the same time, it helps consumers learn more about making ethical choices that support local farmers and the local economy. PGS groups strengthen local food systems by putting farmers at the centre and encouraging community involvement, openness and trust. They play an important role in building strong local food networks and encouraging cooperation between everyone involved in the regional food supply.
Mobile journalism, often referred to as MOJO, is transforming who gets to tell stories. Instead of requiring expensive equipment and professional newsrooms, it enables young people to create high-quality journalism and multimedia content using devices already in their pockets.
MOJO Storytelling for Change
The MOJO Storytelling for Change programme combined practical training, field-based learning and ongoing mentorship to help young communicators develop their storytelling skills while documenting the impact of PGS. They then applied these skills during visits to PGS farms, retail pop-ups and the Good Life Show in Cape Town in May 2026 capturing the stories of PGS producers, processors and traders. Throughout the programme, participants worked in teams, received feedback from peers and mentors, and took part in reflection sessions designed to strengthen both their technical abilities and their confidence as storytellers.
By equipping young people with the tools to document and share these experiences, SAOSO and Mycelium Media Colab are helping to build a new generation of storytellers capable of making organics and agroecology visible, accessible and inspiring to audiences across South Africa and beyond.
“Working on an organic market garden has completely changed the way I see food. There is a connection to the land, the seasons and the food itself that is often missing in the modern food system. Organic growing is a way of creating healthier communities, healthier soils and healthier people.”
– Sibz Boyce, SAOSO Youth Mobile Journalist
Follow their stories here. Find out more about SAOSO here.
If you are interested in MOJO training for your organisation or want to focus on a particular topic, visit Mycelium Media Colab.
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