South African Farmworkers Share Stories in New Podcast

Charmaine King has spent years growing the food that reaches South African tables, but until now, few people have heard her story. A new podcast is changing that.

Daily Maverick's third season of "What's Eating Us" puts farmworkers, community organizers, and families at the center of conversations about South Africa's food system. Editor Zukiswa Pikoli traveled from Western Cape farms to Eastern Cape villages to Johannesburg neighborhoods, microphone in hand.

King, a seasonal farmworker from Stellenbosch, spoke openly about her daily reality and her dreams for agricultural workers across the country. Her willingness to share her truth, despite risks to her livelihood, represents a courageous step toward visibility.

The podcast doesn't stop at problems. Pikoli's journey included an Eastern Cape NGO working to improve lives through both local action and national policy advocacy. She also met a young Johannesburg resident committed to addressing food insecurity in the Bertrams community.

Why This Inspires

In a food system where the people who grow our meals often remain invisible, this project creates space for authentic voices. Giving farmworkers and community members a platform to tell their own stories is the first step toward meaningful change.

The podcast also highlights people already building solutions, from grassroots organizers to alternative grocery stores focused on healthier food access in fast-paced cities.

When marginalized communities can share their experiences and hopes directly, conversations shift from abstract policy debates to human realities.

All episodes are available now, offering listeners across South Africa a chance to hear directly from the people at every level of the food chain.