“If we aren’t contributing to rural development – which is not separate from ecological stewardship – and the economic inclusion of previously marginalised communities, then what are we actually doing?”
Travis Bailey – who is dubbed as Siyazisiza’s ‘jack of all trades’ – has become experienced in varied fields in agriculture, which is largely influenced by his approach as an open and receptive learner. Travis has close ties to the Eastern Cape Wild Coast, having worked there from 1998 with a European-funded Wild Coast Tourism initiative establishing community-based tourism enterprises.
He joined the Siyazisiza team in 2019, having initially been contracted through Siyabona Creative Learning Trust to provide health & nutrition training, develop agri-enterprise infrastructure and set up Siyazisiza’s agro-processing facilities. Travis is now responsible for managing the Zululand Agri-Support Centre, and overseeing Siyazisiza’s work in the Eastern Cape.