For more than 15 years, Juanita Pardesi, Chief Executive Officer of Seriti Institute, has championed a vision of development that places people, dignity and opportunity at its centre. Her unwavering commitment to creating sustainable livelihoods and empowering communities has earned her the CSI Legacy Award for Best Woman in CSI, recognising her outstanding leadership and transformative contribution to social impact in South Africa.
Since the founding of Seriti Institute in 2009, the organisation has become one of the country’s leading community development organisations, operating across all nine provinces and creating more than 16,000 work opportunities. Under Pardesi’s leadership, Seriti has demonstrated that lasting change is achieved not through charity, but by equipping communities with the skills, resources and opportunities they need to shape their own futures.
When Juanita Pardesi assumed leadership of Seriti Institute, the organisation was facing significant challenges and was close to closure. Through a combination of strategic vision, collaborative leadership and an unwavering belief in community-driven development, she transformed Seriti into a nationally recognised, youth-focused organisation that works at the intersection of civil society, business and government. Today, the Institute develops innovative solutions that address unemployment, food insecurity, inequality and climate resilience, while ensuring that communities remain active participants in designing and delivering those solutions.
The initiative that formed the basis of Seriti’s recognition at the CSI Legacy Awards is the Deelpan Multi-Functional Agri-Node (MFAN) in South Africa’s North West Province. Situated in a rural community with limited economic opportunities, the project demonstrates how integrated, community-led development can create lasting economic and social transformation.
Rather than introducing short-term interventions, Seriti worked alongside local residents to establish Deelpan as a vibrant centre for food production, enterprise development and green livelihoods. Through strategic partnerships with the National Youth Service and the Social Employment Fund, the initiative has supported more than 1,700 community members over a three-year period, creating meaningful work while strengthening local food systems and economic resilience.
At the heart of the MFAN model is an integrated approach that combines agroecology training, enterprise development and market access. Participants receive practical agricultural training while also developing the business skills needed to build sustainable enterprises. Smallholder farmers produce fresh fruit and vegetables that are sold locally through the Community Fresh App, creating a reliable, community-based supply chain that benefits both producers and consumers.
This approach not only generates income but also strengthens food security within the community, reduces dependency on external food sources and promotes environmentally sustainable farming practices. By prioritising agroecology and climate-smart agriculture, the programme equips participants with the knowledge to adapt to changing environmental conditions while protecting natural resources for future generations.
A defining feature of the initiative is its focus on empowering young people and women, groups that often experience the greatest barriers to employment and economic participation. By providing practical skills, work experience and entrepreneurial opportunities, the programme enables participants to build sustainable livelihoods while contributing to the long-term prosperity of their communities.
The success of the Deelpan MFAN has demonstrated the potential of community-led development to address multiple social challenges simultaneously. As a result, the model is now being replicated in other provinces, extending its impact and providing a scalable blueprint for inclusive rural development across South Africa.
Receiving the CSI Legacy Award for Best Woman in CSI is a fitting recognition of Juanita Pardesi’s exceptional leadership and her steadfast belief that dignity is created through meaningful work, not dependence. Throughout her career, she has consistently challenged conventional approaches to development by placing trust in communities and investing in their capacity to lead their own transformation.
Today, Seriti Institute stands as a powerful example of what visionary leadership can achieve when purpose is matched with collaboration and innovation. Through Juanita Pardesi’s leadership, thousands of South Africans have gained access to meaningful work, improved food security and sustainable economic opportunities. Her legacy extends far beyond individual projects—it is reflected in stronger communities, empowered local leaders and a development model that continues to inspire lasting change across the country.
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