Events

Food Dialogues 2023: A Platform for Thoughtful Dialogue on the Future of our Food System

July 10, 2023

1 min read

The Food Dialogues programme is an annual event that brings together a diverse group of individuals who have a critical role in shaping our food landscape. This unique initiative aims to foster a healthier, more resilient, and just food system for our collective well-being. By focusing on intimate discussions about the food we eat and the future of our nourishment, Food Dialogues provides an unparalleled opportunity for engagement.

Challenging Conventional Perspectives

Food Dialogues challenges conventional perspectives and delves into the complexities of our food system. This initiative sparks fresh ideas and encourages open-mindedness, even when confronted with dissenting opinions.

Addressing the Polycrisis Facing Our Food System

A highlight of Food Dialogues 2023 is the exploration of the polycrisis facing our food system. As we emerge from a global pandemic and grapple with issues such as load shedding, potential water scarcity, climate change effects, and the possibility of natural system shocks, it becomes imperative to strengthen our food systems against these challenges.

Captivating Culinary Experience

This year’s programme features a captivating culinary experience that emphasizes the stories behind our food choices. Engaging with chefs and uncovering the ‘why’ and ‘where’ of our food, participants gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, social, and environmental dimensions that shape our eating habits.

Community Involvement

In line with its commitment to community involvement, Food Dialogues concludes its programme with a Mandela Day event on 18 July. By empowering local communities and promoting inclusivity, Food Dialogues seeks to inspire positive change on a grassroots level.

Pan African Online Conference

Food Dialogues 2023 introduces a groundbreaking addition to its programme – the Pan African Online Conference. Leveraging the power of digital platforms, this event facilitates connections not only within Africa but also on a global scale. Through the online conference, diverse perspectives, knowledge, and experiences converge, fostering meaningful change and transcending geographical boundaries.

Art Exhibition

In collaboration with 16 on Lerotholi Gallery, the Food Dialogues programme presents an art exhibition curated by Mpilo Ngcukana. Showcasing works by esteemed artists, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the intersection of art and food, creating a captivating dialogue through visual expressions.

A Platform for Diverse Voices

Food Dialogues 2023 offers an extraordinary platform for diverse voices to converge, exchange ideas, and envision a more sustainable and equitable food system. By actively involving stakeholders from all walks of life, the programme recognizes that transformative change necessitates a holistic understanding of our food landscape.

Reshaping Our Food System

Through thoughtful and meaningful conversations, we can reshape our food system, ensuring its sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity for generations to come. As Jane Battersby, Associate Professor at the African Centre for Cities, UCT, emphasizes, “The Food Dialogues provided a space to engage deeply in the complexity of the Cape Town food system. They refused to have a single story.”

Wildfire on Table Mountain: Cape Town’s Annual Battle Against the Flames

Each dry summer, wildfires sweep across Cape Town’s Table Mountain, driven by hot winds, invasive plants, and sometimes human carelessness. These fires roar quickly through thick fynbos, threatening rare plants and homes alike, while firefighters battle bravely from land and sky to control the flames. The community comes together, sending supplies and support, showing how deeply Cape Towners care for their mountain. Though fire is part of nature’s cycle, climate change and frequent blazes put this delicate balance at risk, making every effort to protect Table Mountain more important than ever.

Illuminations Across the Vines: The Spier Light Art Exhibition as a Living Canvas

The Spier Light Art Exhibition in Stellenbosch is a magical outdoor event that turns a quiet vineyard into a glowing playground of light and creativity. Artists from near and far use colorful lights to tell stories about history, community, and technology, inviting visitors to explore and interact with the shining artworks. As night falls, the farm transforms into a living canvas where light dances, sparks imagination, and connects people through shared wonder. This event is more than art—it’s a joyful celebration of light’s power to inspire and unite.

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