On Thursday, 2 October 2025, the independent higher education institution Akademia further solidified its intention to enter the agricultural training arena by establishing a strategically focused agricultural endowment fund. This fund, in support of the institution’s proposed agricultural stream, forms part of its 2028 world-class campus development in the east of Pretoria. The latter development represents a dynamic and historic collaboration* between Akademia and the real estate investment company, Kanton.

The launch of the Akademia Agricultural Endowment Fund took place during the OBARO Golf Day, hosted at the Silver Lakes Golf Club in Pretoria East. OBARO, as a commercial agricultural company, proudly supports this initiative as one of the first partners.

“OBARO believes in more than just successful harvests; we believe in developing youth and building a sustainable agricultural future. The latter includes the expansion and strengthening of the agricultural value chain and the establishment of expertise within this sector,” says Nic Bronkhorst, CEO of OBARO. He adds that Akademia’s vision is closely aligned with this. Therefore, it is a matter of the heart for this agricultural company to support this initiative together with its valued customers and partners.

According to Marthinus Visser, managing director of Akademia, the objective of the fund aligns directly with the institution’s foundation namely, to provide an academic home where both mind and heart are nurtured with a view to a free future. “By establishing this fund, Akademia recognises the extremely critical role that agriculture plays, not only in terms of food supply, but also in terms of economic stability, sustained job creation and the targeted development of communities across the country,” says Visser.

“Through this fund, Akademia will help to ensure that future generations are trained as agriculturists in a vocation-driven manner that will positively strengthen the sustainability and impact of this sector, as one of the cornerstones of the South African economy,” says Visser.

According to Visser, the institution’s ambition is to welcome around 250 new first-year students annually into various agricultural programmes on the Pretoria campus by 2030. The goal is to provide a comprehensive range of offerings within the extensive agricultural discipline, spanning from higher certificates to doctoral study opportunities. Considering this, the following programmes are currently being planned and developed:

• BAgric (Agriculture)
• BSc (Agricultural Sciences)
• Higher Certificate in Animal Production

• Higher Certificate in Crop Production

Over the long term, the fund will also be used for the expansion of academic research in agricultural economics, sustainable farming practice and agricultural management.

This is what the Agricultural Donation Fund will look like

According to Visser, the institution aims to secure a total of R78 million in confirmed donations or formal commitments through this fund. This capital will encompass the comprehensive development and associated maintenance of, among other things, a dedicated experimental farm for research, practice-oriented training, and the exploration of inventive and future-oriented agricultural practices.

The experimental farm is envisioned for phase two of the campus development and is scheduled to commence in January 2028. It is envisaged that this phase will last until December of the same year. According to Visser, the intended commissioning of the experimental farm is envisaged for January 2029.

Overall, the fund will also address the following strategic priorities through allocated phases:

• Student funding and support
• Academic programme and curriculum development
• Establishing implements, equipment, and digital technologies for hands-on learning experiences

• Honorary chairs and the Advancement of Academic Research

Community involvement as an investment in Afrikaans agricultural training

“Academia is a community institution, and it is important for us to join hands and enter the future together and in a hopeful way,” says Visser, adding that by getting involved, communities, businesses and individuals can help train a generation of skilled, vocation-driven agriculturists who can strengthen the sector’s sustainability and resilience.

Those involved also enjoy various benefits as donors, including:

• tax benefits based on the issuance of a section 18A certificate
• creating a legacy

• access to future quality Akademia agricultural students and knowledge

“Involvement in terms of the Agricultural Donation Fund speaks to so much more than just an act of support,” says Visser, explaining that it essentially represents a strategic investment in the future of agriculture, Afrikaans academia, as well as the community.

*Click here for more information on the Future Builder campaign.