by Arnold Nkuna
Elvis Malemela, a final-year IT student at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Soshanguve Campus, gives new meaning to what supporting students in need requires. The Turfloop born and bred young man’s passion for finding solutions to real-world problems has resulted in the establishment of an organisation, ARIFARANE, a student initiative that is rapidly becoming a lifeline for many on campus.
For more than two years, ARIFARANE has been addressing food insecurity among students by growing and distributing fresh produce. What started as a small effort to help struggling peers, has evolved into a structured initiative with a mission of self-sustainability. Instead of relying on once-off food donations, Elvis and his team have created a model where students actively participate in producing their own food, which cultivates a sense of ownership and responsibility.
At the heart of Elvis’s vision is the integration of technology with agriculture. With his background in Information Technology, he sees an opportunity to modernise farming methods and make food production more efficient. He has a dual goal, to grow crops as well as using ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to develop smarter, more sustainable agricultural solutions. He envisions a future where technology will play a central role in student-driven food security initiatives, ensuring long-term impact beyond his time at University.
The impact of ARIFARANE has been felt across campus, earning recognition from students and Faculty. What makes Elvis’s approach so powerful is that it goes beyond charity. Instead of simply giving, he is building a system that empowers students to help themselves and each other.
Elvis Malemela, founder of Arifarane student organisation,
integrates technology and agriculture to improve the lives of his fellow students.