Tiger Brands backs food security research. Tiger Brands and Stellenbosch University have launched a three-year research partnership aimed at strengthening food security, agricultural resilience and food safety across South Africa. The partnership brings together the university's Faculty of AgriSciences and Tiger Brands' experience across the food value chain to develop practical responses to challenges facing farmers, food producers and consumers. Research will focus on agronomy, agricultural economics and food safety, with particular attention given to improving farm productivity and profitability, strengthening local agricultural value chains and building resilience to climate and economic pressures. Key crops including wheat, oats, sorghum, tomatoes, groundnuts and beans will form part of cross-disciplinary research into agricultural production and regenerative farming systems. Tiger Brands CEO Tjaart Kruger said strengthening South Africa's food system required investment in research capable of delivering practical results. "Building a more resilient food system requires us to think beyond today's challenges and invest in the knowledge and partnerships that will secure future supply," Kruger said. "By combining SU's research excellence with our experience across the food value chain, we have an opportunity to turn research into practical impact that strengthens productivity, competitiveness, and access to quality, affordable food." The collaboration will also invest in postgraduate students and emerging researchers, creating a pipeline of skills needed by South Africa's agricultural and food sectors. Researchers, students, producers and industry professionals will be able to exchange knowledge through lectures, short courses, conferences, seminars and technical collaboration. The work will extend across food science and technology, microbiology, chemistry and good agricultural practices. The agreement builds on an existing relationship between Tiger Brands and Stellenbosch University through the Centre for Food Safety. Stellenbosch University Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Deresh Ramjugernath said the partnership demonstrated how universities and businesses could combine their resources to address wider societal challenges. "Tiger Brands' support will enable us not only to advance important research, but also to invest in our students and emerging researchers, strengthen capacity, share knowledge more widely and support education across the food and agricultural sector," Ramjugernath said. Professor Gunnar Sigge, Chair of the Department of Food Science, said the investment would strengthen both research and the skills of graduates entering the workforce. "We believe the confidence that Tiger Brands has in the Department and the Faculty of AgriSciences stems from many years of delivering industry relevant research and solutions based on sound science," Sigge said. "This partnership not only contributes to the food system in South Africa as a whole but enhances the development and skills of our graduates entering the workforce." Professor Pieter Gouws, Director of the Centre for Food Safety, said the partnership could help connect scientific research more directly with challenges facing South Africa's food system. "The initiative will achieve greater social impact to address South African challenges such as agriculture, food safety, food security and sustainability," Gouws said. He added that developing postgraduate students and emerging researchers would help build the next generation of scientific and agricultural leadership. The partnership comes as agriculture faces increasing pressure from climate change, constraints on natural resources and the need to maintain reliable supplies of affordable food. Kruger said those challenges could not be addressed by individual organisations working independently. "No organisation can solve the challenges of climate-change and supply chain competitiveness on its own," he said. "By working together, we can find practical solutions, rooted in scientific rigour, that strengthen South Africa's food system for a more affordable and food-secure future."

Tiger Brands' Albany BOTS targets 3 000 entrepreneurial opportunities. Published: August 28, 2026 Johannesburg - Tiger Brands says its recently launched Albany Bread-On-The-Streets (BOTS) initiative is creating income-generating opportunities for entrepreneurs in communities across South Africa, while expanding route-to-market for its Albany bread business. More than 800 BOTS bread sale stands are already in operation, each run by an entrepreneur. Albany expects to grow the network to 3 000 stands within the next year, creating at least 3 000 entrepreneurial opportunities in total. The stands are located in high-footfall areas such as taxi ranks, bus stations, and along busy roadsides close to Albany Bakeries in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State, with plans to expand to other provinces. Discover more Access Premium News Consult Trial Lawyers "BOTS allows our Albany business to compete more effectively in a highly competitive local bread market, while bringing our product closer to consumers, ensuring accessibility and freshness," says Quinton Swart, MD Bakeries, Tiger Brands... "But in addition to expanding our route-to-market... it's making a contribution to our country's unemployment rate, which has risen considerably over the past decade. "The programme demonstrates how commercial growth and social impact can work together." According to Stats SA's most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey released in August 2026, close to five million young people between the ages of 15 and 34 years are economically inactive. The unemployment rate in this group is 47,4%, up from 45,8% in the previous quarter. Bread is delivered directly to vendors through Albany's distribution network, ensuring a consistent supply of fresh product. On average, each BOTS entrepreneur sells between 20 and 30 loaves of bread per day per stand, generating a profit of approximately R2 per loaf. This can translate into an income of around R1,300 per month for entrepreneurs who operate their stands daily. Tiger Brands provides each entrepreneur with a branded Albany bread stand, valued at approximately R2 700, together with marketing materials to support their business. Entrepreneurs are recruited through referrals from existing customers in trade and community networks, helping to extend opportunities to people seeking income-generating opportunities. "BOTS shows that growing our business and creating opportunities for others do not have to be separate ambitions," says Swart. Discover more Track Congressional Bills Explore Tactical Gear "As we expand the network, more people will have the opportunity to earn, learn and build greater economic independence, while becoming part of Albany's growth story." Stay connected. FacebookLike

Zithande Mzansi Programme Puts Youth Sustainability at the Centre in Katlehong and Vosloorus. Zithande Mzansi Programme Puts Youth Sustainability at the Centre in Katlehong and Vosloorus. Learners from five primary schools in Katlehong and Vosloorus have taken part in a recycling programme aimed at building sustainable habits and encouraging youth participation in the circular economy. The Zithande Mzansi Green Schools Recycling Programme, led by Fibre Circle in collaboration with Tiger Brands and local SMME Greener Pastures Recycling Company, culminated in an event held on 5 August 2026 at Palm Ridge Community Hall in Katlehong. The programme focused on Grade 4, 5 and 6 learners from Ikusasalethu Primary School, Katlehong Primary School, Manzini Primary School, Polokegong Primary School and Umtholo Primary School. According to the organisers, the initiative is designed to encourage environmentally responsible habits, divert waste from landfills, support local waste-collection businesses and promote recycling within communities. Over several months, learners participated in educational workshops and practical waste management campaigns. They also took part in three competitions designed to encourage different forms of environmental participation. The Collect, Recycle, and Win Competition challenged schools to collect paper and paper packaging, encouraging learners to sort recyclable waste at source. The Voices for the Planet Poetry Competition gave learners an opportunity to write and perform original poetry focused on environmental sustainability. The Waste-2-Art Competition challenged learners to transform discarded recyclable materials into artworks. The resulting creations were displayed during the culmination event at the community hall. Local enterprise development formed another component of the programme. Greener Pastures Recycling Company, which participates in Fibre Circle's SMME Development Programme, served as the collection partner for the participating schools. The company provided collection services for recyclable materials gathered through the programme, linking the schools with a local recycling enterprise. The participating schools also receive financial rebates for the recyclables they collect. According to the programme information, these rebates are reinvested in school infrastructure and local green initiatives. Fibre Circle CEO Edith Leeuta said the programme was intended to build awareness of recycling while giving schools tools and guidance to manage their own recycling systems. The initiative combines environmental education, creative activities and local enterprise participation, with learners playing a direct role in collecting recyclable materials and communicating sustainability messages. The 5 August event marked the culmination of the programme's activities involving the five schools in Katlehong and Vosloorus, bringing together the participating learners and showcasing their recycling efforts and creative work.