As we mark World Food Safety Day, stories like Ehlanzeni Rover Khensani Thela’s remind us that safe and nutritious food begins not only with knowledge, but with young people being given opportunities to learn, lead and take action in their communities.
“My name is Khensani Thela and I am a Rover and Scouting volunteer in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and am pursuing my Master of Science in Agriculture. Currently, I am an entrepreneur running my own poultry agribusiness.”
Her journey into agriculture began long before university lectures and business plans. It started in Scouting. “I joined Scouting in 2008 at 1st Phosaville Scout Group in Nkomazi because I was looking for an opportunity to learn new skills, make friends, and be part of activities that challenged me to grow. Scouting offered a positive environment where I could develop leadership, discipline, and teamwork while having fun. When I started High School, there was a Scout Group at the school, so I joined the 1st Sidlamafa Troop. Even though as a teenager I had more options, I chose to stay in Scouting because of the sense of belonging, the opportunities for leadership development, and the practical life skills I was gaining. Scouting gave me a purpose beyond the classroom and helped me build confidence in myself. But most of all I loved the adventures, and summer camp was my favourite of all times,” she explains.
“Of all my Scouting camps, my first Summer camp in Lydenburg is my favourite, It was my first time seeing so many young people my age in the same place, the first time travelling a long distance and the games and challenges, yoh that was epic! Over the years there were activities that were a challenging at first like hiking, camping, and public speaking. Being away from home during camps and taking on leadership responsibilities pushed me outside my comfort zone. I overcame these challenges by staying committed, learning from my leaders and fellow Scouts, and reminding myself that growth comes from stepping into new experiences.”
One thing is clear to Khensani and that is that Scouting shaped her into the person she is today. “Scouting helped shape me into a responsible, resilient, and community-minded person. It taught me the importance of honesty, service, leadership, and perseverance. The Scout Promise and Law encouraged me to be dependable and to always look for ways to help others. I live by the Scout motto, “Be prepared “ I’m always prepared mentally and physically for whatever comes my way and that has helped me a lot in my entrepreneurial journey. “
For Khensani, however, one programme has had the most profound impact on her future: SCOUTS SA’s Food for Life. “My strongest memories of environmental projects are from the Food for Life programme. Learning how food is grown, gaining gardening skills, understanding nutrition, and seeing how agriculture can improve the lives of families and communities. It was empowering to learn practical skills that could be applied in everyday life. It also partially contributed to my career path because I ended up studying BSc in Agriculture at the University of Mpumalanga,” continues Khensani.
“The Food for Life programme taught me the value of food production, planning, resource management, and sustainability. These lessons remain highly relevant in my career and business, where careful planning, schedules, hygiene, and responsible management are essential for success. I believe that programmes like Food for Life are extremely important because they equip young people with practical skills, promote self-reliance, and help address food insecurity. These programmes also inspire entrepreneurship and show young people that agriculture can be both a livelihood and a way to serve their communities.”
Her own journey demonstrates exactly what can happen when young people are trusted with responsibility, practical learning opportunities and support. “Looking back, I believe that Scouting played a significant role in influencing my decision to study Agriculture. The outdoor experiences, environmental education, and Food for Life activities sparked my interest in food production and sustainable living. Today, some of the skills learned guide me in managing and sustaining my business. Leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, discipline, and perseverance have all been essential. Scouting taught me to be resourceful and to remain focused on finding solutions, which has helped me both academically and in business. Scouting promotes self-reliance by teaching young people practical skills and encouraging initiative. Entrepreneurship requires the same mindset: identifying opportunities, taking responsibility, solving problems, and serving others. My journey in poultry farming reflects many of the values I learned in Scouting.”
The theme for this year’s World Food Safety Day is “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere.” So, how does Khensani believe that young people can play a role in addressing our local challenges and contribute solutions? “Young people have a crucial role to play. They can become innovators, farmers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who promote sustainable food production. With the right knowledge and support, they can help create local solutions to food insecurity. I believe Scouting already provides practical learning opportunities through programmes like Food for Life, community gardens, and environmental projects. It helps young people develop confidence, leadership, and hands-on skills that can be applied directly to food production.”
Aligned to this, Khensani is passionate about encouraging schools to establish food gardens. “School food gardens are important because they teach learners where food comes from and provide practical agricultural skills. They can improve nutrition, support school feeding programmes, encourage environmental responsibility, and inspire future careers in agriculture and entrepreneurship to the learners.”
For young people considering agriculture, she offers simple advice. “Start small, be willing to learn, and do not be afraid of failure. Be resilient and be always Prepared. Agriculture offers many opportunities, from food production to processing and agribusiness. Consistency, patience, and continuous learning are key to success. Most importantly no man is an island, be willing to be social, network and ask for mentorship from people ahead.”