Joburg Market Chief Executive Officer Sello Makhubela represented the City of Johannesburg at the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) Brussels 2025 Conference, participating in Session 2: “Supplying Megacities in Times of Economic Change – Feeding Megacities: Challenges and Opportunities.”
The session brought together global food system leaders, including Andrea Magarini, Director of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP), and Javier Esquillor, Managing Director of Capillar and co-author of the WUWM Policy Paper “New Wholesale Market Generation”.
In his presentation titled “Feeding Large Cities: The Case of Johannesburg”, Makhubela highlighted Joburg Market’s crucial role in advancing food security, promoting market accessibility, and driving socio-economic transformation across the city and beyond. He underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in building resilient urban food systems.
On the sidelines of the conference, MMC for Economic Development Cllr Nomoya Mnisi, Joburg Market Board Chairperson Mzikayise Ndlovu, and Makhubela met Jens Michael, the CEO of Abu Dhabi Food Hub, to explore potential partnerships aimed at enhancing global food trade and distribution networks. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration, with follow-up engagements scheduled for January 2026 in Abu Dhabi.
“This engagement showcases Johannesburg’s leadership in shaping sustainable food systems and building international partnerships that promote food security and economic growth,” said Cllr Mnisi.
Written by Tshegofatso Maakwe