Background: The HIV and AIDS epidemic on a global level continues to be a challenge in contemporary societies. The impact of HIV and AIDS on the workforce in the agricultural sector in Africa needs to be explored.

Aim: The study aimed at exploring and describing the impact of HIV and AIDS on the farming labour force among marginalised farming communities at Oliver Reginald (OR) Tambo District in Eastern Cape province, South Africa.

Method: The study utilised a qualitative research approach with exploratory and descriptive designs, employing in-depth interviews for data collection. Thematic analysis was conducted based on the framework established by Braun and Clarke.

Results: The study found that HIV and AIDS have significantly negative impacts on labour, farming skills, income and food security in marginalised farming communities in the OR Tambo Municipality. Additionally, there are challenges in accessing healthcare services, leading to treatment defaults.

Conclusion: HIV and AIDS directly affect the labour force, impacting households’ capacity to produce food or attend work to earn wages for food purchases.

Contribution: The findings from the study would assist local stakeholders, farming forums and the Department of Rural Development and Agriculture in managing HIV and AIDS with respect to the farming labour force and farming during their programme revisions and implementation planning.

Thinavhuyo Robert Netangaheni completed DLitt et Phil UNISA (Health Services Management) in 2009, MACUR In Nursing Science (UNISA) (Community Nursing Sciences) in 2002, BACUR (Nursing Education and Occupational Health Nursing (UNISA) in 1996, Advanced Diploma in Health Service Management (UNISA) in 1998, Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Science (UNISA) at 2000 and Senior Leadership Development Programme (WITS) in 2014. His fields of research are HIV & amp, AIDS and the farming community, Social behavior on HIV and AIDS, Management, Geopolitics, National security and Human security. His fields of specialization are Community Nursing and Health Services Management. He worked at South African Military Health Services and joined the University of South Africa from January 2021 till the present moment. He was responsible for teaching and learning, supervising masters and PHD students both nationally and internationally. He has published more than 12 articles since 2014 until the present moment.