Radio broadcaster and agricultural storyteller Mmatsheko Mosito, journalist and media entrepreneur Ivor Price and homestead food gardener and educator Natasha Van Zyl have been named guest judges for the Shoprite Group’s second Act For Change Food Garden Competition.
Source: Shoprite Holdings | Act For Change
Five winning community gardens will share R1m in tailored support to address their specific needs and strengthen their impact. The competition is open to community food gardens that feed communities, create jobs and teach practical skills. Entries close on 15 November 2026.
Meet the 2026 judges
Mosito, host of The Journal and Planting the Seed on Channel Africa and founder of the Agri Women Guild, has a particular interest in sustainability, regeneration and development. She brings both livelihood and community perspectives to the judging process.
“A successful community food garden needs a clear purpose, committed people, sound growing practices and a realistic understanding of what the community needs,” she explains.
Price, founder of media company Food for Mzanzi, said community food gardens had produced some of the publication’s most compelling stories.
“When I saw how many gardens entered last year and the quality of what they were doing, I wanted to be part of it. Being a judge lets me recognise these growers and help put them in front of people who can support them,” says Price.
Van Zyl is a hands-on home gardener whose work focuses on sharing practical gardening knowledge and skills. She brings experience in affordable ways to grow food successfully.
“What I love most is that the knowledge doesn’t stop at the garden gate. Someone learns how to grow spinach or tomatoes, takes that knowledge home, teaches a neighbour or a child and suddenly the impact reaches far beyond that one garden. That’s where the real magic happens!” she says.
“Just as each community garden has its unique identity and circumstances, so do our three judges, who together form a rich mix of sustainability, storytelling and practical knowledge,” says Sanjeev Raghubir, chief sustainability officer at the Shoprite Group.
“Each one brings a unique perspective to the competition, yet they share a common belief that these gardens don’t just grow vegetables; they contribute to food security, economic opportunities and resilience.”
Raghubir said community gardens were a practical way to improve livelihoods in South Africa. They provide food, develop skills, create opportunities for entrepreneurship and strengthen relationships within communities.
“A successful community food garden is measured way beyond its harvest,” adds Raghubir. “Its deeper value is as a social impact incubator that can nurture multiple generations.”
How to enter the competition
The Act For Change Food Garden Competition forms part of the Shoprite Group’s commitment to food security and sustainable livelihoods. The Group has invested in 320 community gardens, which collectively produced more than 84,500kg of fresh food last year.
The competition is open to community food gardens across South Africa, including church gardens, school gardens and informal or co-operative initiatives. Entrants must be at least 18 years old, and the garden must serve a broader community.
Entries are free and can be submitted online at actforchangefoodgardencompetition.datafree.co. No data costs apply.
