Ms Ayanda Mbonani is the Chief Operating Officer of Khula!, a leading agritech platform connecting small and emerging farmers to markets, inputs, and financial services. She is an admitted attorney with a BA in Legal and Political Studies from Rhodes University and an LLB, and she joined Khula in 2020 to lead legal, compliance, and data governance before progressing into executive leadership.
In her role as COO, she oversees the scaling of digital infrastructure designed to strengthen farmer participation in formal value chains. She is currently a Master of Management candidate at Wits Business School and is a strong advocate for women in agriculture and inclusive agritech systems. Ayanda is known for her focus on building long-term farmer empowerment through technology-enabled agricultural transformation.
Mr Bertie Coetzee is a pioneering regenerative farmer, agricultural consultant, and former musician who serves as the managing director of Lowerland Farm in the Northern Cape near Prieska. Affectionately known as “Bioboertie,” he transitioned from fronting the Afrikaans rock band Zinkplaat to building a leading voice in sustainable agriculture along the Orange River.
After completing his studies at Stellenbosch University, he returned to the family farm in 2013 and began converting it into a certified organic, regenerative system. Today, Lowerland produces a diverse range of organic goods including heritage grains, stone-ground flours, pastured meat, eggs, and pecans, using low-input, soil-focused practices such as no-till farming, rotational grazing, and agroforestry. He is also known for his pioneering work in high-altitude viticulture and natural wine production in collaboration with acclaimed winemakers.
Cameron Gough holds a BSc and a BSc Honours degree in Actuarial Science from the University of the Free State (UFS), alongside SAIFM, BTRM, and GARP FRM professional designations. He has built an extensive career during his 14-year tenure at FirstRand Group Treasury, occupying various roles that have provided him with significant responsibility and exposure to the debt, Development Finance Institution (DFI), and sustainable finance landscapes across both South African and international markets.
Currently serving as the Head of the Structured Finance division for FirstRand Group Treasury, Cameron is tasked with overseeing a complex and diverse set of financial operations. His key responsibilities include managing the group’s securitisation and structured finance portfolios, as well as directing all structured and non-vanilla funding transactions. Furthermore, he is responsible for guiding the group’s DFI, sustainable finance, and shared prosperity enablement portfolios.
Dr. Dalene Louw is the Chief Executive Officer of AgriCulture Gauteng and a recognized leader in agricultural development and economic policy. Holding a PhD, an MBA, and certification as an Urban Agriculturalist, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to advancing sustainable rural transformation and resilient food systems across South Africa.
Throughout her career, she has driven strategic initiatives to commercialize small-scale farmers, integrate agriculture into township economies, and expand climate-smart value chains. Under her leadership, AgriCulture Gauteng actively promotes regenerative practices, community-based wildfire prevention, and public-private partnerships, championing agriculture as a critical economic engine capable of empowering communities and restoring ecosystems.
Mr Danie Slabbert is a fourth-generation farmer, agricultural innovator, and leading advocate for regenerative agriculture. Based in the Riemland region near Reitz in the eastern Free State, he is the owner of Sewe Slabberts, a family-run farming enterprise named with his wife Via and their five children. He is widely recognised for restoring degraded land through low-input, soil-focused farming systems.
After starting in conventional farming, Slabbert transitioned fully into regenerative practices, converting more than 1 300 hectares into a functioning ecological system. His farm produces maize, soya beans, potatoes, and sunflowers using no-till methods and without synthetic inputs such as insecticides or fungicides. He integrates ultra-high-density grazing with Drakensberger cattle, sheep, and chickens, alongside cover cropping and on-farm processing to build soil health and long-term farm resilience.
Ms Elzabe Rockman is the Free State MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, appointed in June 2024. She brings extensive experience in public administration, financial governance, and provincial leadership to the agricultural and rural development portfolio. Born in Kimberley, she holds a BEd in Languages and a BA Honours in English from the University of the Free State.
Her career spans senior roles in government, including Secretary of the Free State Legislature, Director-General of the Free State Provincial Government, and MEC for Finance from 2013 to 2019. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner and a former Commissioner of the Financial and Fiscal Commission. In her current role, she focuses on integrated rural development, value-chain investment in agriculture, support for emerging farmers, and strengthening biosecurity systems in the Free State.
Mr Francois Maree is the founder of RegenRoots, a regenerative pasture-raised egg business based between Bethlehem and Reitz in the eastern Free State. He gained national attention after choosing to forgo university studies to invest his tuition funds into building his own ecological farming venture.
He developed his farming foundation under the mentorship of regenerative farmer Danie Slabbert, where he learned soil health and ecosystem restoration principles. Today, Maree operates mobile pasture systems where his hens are rotated across land to improve soil fertility naturally. His soy-free, GMO-free eggs are supplied to premium retail markets in Johannesburg and Pretoria, supported by a fast-growing social media presence, including significant TikTok stardom, where he shares his journey as a young regenerative farmer.
Mr Gary Jackson is a food retail entrepreneur, consumer health advocate, and Founder and CEO of Jackson’s Real Food Market and Eatery. With more than 35 years of experience across corporate hospitality and food retail, he is widely recognised as a champion of clean eating, slow food principles, and transparent food systems. He studied at the University of Cape Town and Wits Business School and built his early career in high-volume franchise operations, including McDonald’s and Woolworths food retail.
In 2014, he launched Jackson’s Real Food Market in Bryanston, Johannesburg after seeking healthier, chemical-free food options for his family. The business has since grown into a leading retail model focused on traceable, minimally processed foods sourced from small-scale and independent producers. Jackson is known for enforcing strict quality standards across all products while actively supporting local farmers through mentorship, packaging guidance, and market access. He also co-founded The Realeaf Foundation, which supports food and social relief initiatives for vulnerable communities.
Dr Hendrik Smith is a soil scientist with more than 30 years of experience in agricultural research and development. He worked for 20 years at the Agricultural Research Council focusing on conservation agriculture.
He currently coordinates regenerative conservation agriculture research for the Maize Trust across South Africa’s summer rainfall regions. He works closely with farmers and researchers to drive on-farm innovation and has received national recognition for his contribution to agriculture.
Dr Jaap Knot is a conservation agriculture facilitator and small-scale commercial farmer based in Ladybrand in the Free State. He has over 16 years of experience working in Lesotho, including six years on international NGO upliftment projects and a further decade with a local trust training smallholder farmers in Farming God’s Way. He is currently involved in regenerative agriculture research through on-farm trials with commercial farmers in the Eastern Free State.
Together with his wife Ilona, he co-directs Nepo SA, a company focused on promoting healthy and affordable food systems. Dr Knot holds an MSc in Rural Development from Wageningen University and a PhD in Conservation Agriculture from the University of the Free State, where his research focused on commercial farmers in the Eastern Free State.
Dr Jama Mashele Mohale has over 12 years of academic and practical experience in Organic farming, agroecology and food systems research. Her work is at the intersection between research and implementation with hands on farming experience in both traditional farming and soilless systems such as hydro and aquaponic systems.
She is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Ecological Intelligence (CEI) with a focus beyond research. She is involved in training young agricultural students, has co-facilitated the Agripreneurship: Empowering the Future Pan-African monthly webinar series, to train youth across the continent in climate-smart agriculture. She is passionate and actively involved in setting up food gardens with the hopes of alleviating nutrition insecurity, poverty, countering youth unemployment, and building sustainable food networks.
Mr James Lonsdale is Sustainability Manager at The SPAR Group, where he leads environmental and responsible sourcing strategy. He has worked in agriculture and agri-processing for more than 30 years.
His career spans primary production, fruit processing, and retail procurement. At SPAR, he has helped shape sustainability initiatives focused on climate change, water stewardship, circular economy, and inclusive supply chains supporting small-scale farmers.
Mr Jean Pierrie le Roux is an agricultural consultant, corporate strategist, and Director at FarmPex, All4Agri Consulting, and FutureFit Agri Global. He specialises in systems-level agricultural transformation, focusing on how technology and strategy can reshape supply chains and farming enterprises.
His work centres on regenerative development as a mindset shift rather than a set of isolated interventions, helping organisations embed long-term sustainability into their operational culture. Through his consulting practice, he supports commercial producers and agribusinesses in integrating data-driven tools with practical farm realities to build resilient, future-ready agricultural systems.
Mr Jerry Chaka is an experienced agricultural specialist and Farm Operations Manager at Rustlers Valley Regenerative Farm in the Eastern Free State. Working closely with the Naledi Village Communal Property Association (CPA) and local development partners, he is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the valley’s community-owned regenerative agriculture and land restoration programme. His work spans field operations, infrastructure coordination, and technical farm management.
He plays a key role in implementing ecosystem restoration practices, including water harvesting systems, soil regeneration, and organic crop rotations designed to rebuild degraded land. Ntate Chaka also helps lead the establishment and maintenance of the Memorial Forest initiative, coordinating tree planting and ongoing ecological care. He works closely with local communities to support skills transfer, training in sustainable farming methods, and the integration of cooperative agriculture into the broader Rustlers Valley development vision.
Mr Johann Kotzé is the Chief Executive Officer of Agri SA. He grew up in a farming family in the North West and holds degrees in Agricultural Economics, Business Management, and Executive Development, including studies at the National University of Singapore.
He has worked across farming, agricultural banking, corporate finance, and industry leadership roles, including SAPPO and FNB Africa Agriculture. Johann is passionate about building resilient agricultural systems and values strong family and community connections.
Prof. Kosheek Sewchurran is a Full Professor of Strategy and Leadership at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), where he is widely recognised for his work in executive education, regenerative leadership, and systems-based transformation. He previously directed the UCT GSB Executive MBA programme for nearly a decade and is known for helping senior leaders navigate complexity, ethics, and strategic innovation in rapidly changing environments.
His work is grounded in practice-based leadership and systems thinking, viewing leadership as a lived, relational process rather than a fixed role. He applies these approaches to regenerative development, including coaching emerging farmers and leaders to build resilient, community-centred and ecologically conscious systems. He is also an executive coach who integrates ontological coaching, systems thinking, and the Enneagram through his ArtistryInEverydayness framework. Sewchurran began his career as a systems engineer and holds a PhD in Project Organising from UCT, alongside advanced qualifications in systems thinking and computer science.
Mr Lawrence Letshokgohla is an experienced public administrator, conservationist, and community leader serving as an Enterprise Leader specialising in agroforestry. He has built a long career in municipal environmental management, with a strong focus on urban ecosystems, public green spaces, and environmental education. He previously served as Parks Manager for the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, overseeing environmental planning and conservation initiatives across Bloemfontein and surrounding areas.
He plays a key role in the Free State Government’s 1 Million Trees Programme, working with provincial partners to expand urban forestry, biodiversity, and climate resilience through large-scale tree planting initiatives. His earlier career includes roles as Senior Education Officer and acting Zoo Manager at institutions such as the Johannesburg Zoo and Bloemfontein Zoo, where he developed environmental education programmes for youth. Letshokgohla is a strong advocate for agroforestry as a tool for rural development, food security, and ecological restoration.
Ms Leona Archary is a highly accomplished public administrator, agricultural strategist, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA). With more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across government and the private sector, she is widely recognised for her work in land reform, inclusive agribusiness development, and collaborative funding models that support transformation in South Africa’s agricultural sector. She is also an experienced facilitator and moderator, known for bridging policy, finance, and grassroots realities in national dialogue platforms.
She began her career in land reform in Mpumalanga in the late 1990s, where she contributed to early policy development for labour tenants and farm dwellers. She later served as Deputy Director-General and Acting Director-General in the national Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, leading major initiatives including the Agri-Parks Programme and large-scale irrigation revitalisation projects. After her public service career, she moved into agribusiness strategy at Bigen Africa and helped conceptualise AGDA as a platform for aligning government, banks, and industry to unlock inclusive agricultural investment.
Mr Malik Dasoo is Senior Programme Officer for Sustainable Land Use and Agriculture at the African Climate Foundation. He works at the intersection of climate, agriculture, and land systems, supporting programmes that advance sustainable land use and resilience across Africa.
He has experience in South Africa’s biodiversity sector through the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), where he worked on Natural Capital Accounting and Ecological Infrastructure programmes. Malik holds a Master of Science degree from Wageningen University and Research in International Land and Water Management, specialising in soil physics and sustainable land management.
Prof. Mamokgethi Phakeng is a highly celebrated professor of mathematics education, NRF B1-rated scientist, and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (2018 to 2023). Raised in Garankuwa, Gauteng and educated under challenging rural conditions, she went on to earn a PhD in Mathematics Education from the University of the Witwatersrand and built an international reputation as a leader in education, research, and institutional transformation. She is a recipient of the Order of the Baobab (Silver) and other global honours recognising her contribution to education and leadership.
Following her tenure in academia, she transitioned into commercial agriculture, where she now actively manages and develops farming enterprises spanning cattle, crop production, and aquaculture. Known widely as the “Fab Academic,” she documents her farming journey publicly while advocating for the dignity of agricultural work and the importance of practical engagement with the land. She continues to speak on education, youth development, and regenerative futures, bringing her leadership experience into rural economic and agricultural transformation spaces.
Dr Mankodi Moitse is the Chief Executive Officer of Kagiso Trust and Co-Chair of Kagiso Shanduka Trust. She brings over 20 years of executive experience across listed companies, public entities, and major metropolitan governments.
She has held senior roles at Standard Bank and the City of Johannesburg, where she delivered major financial and infrastructure milestones including clean audits and transport funding innovations. She holds a PhD in Technology and Entrepreneurship and is passionate about leadership, youth development, and innovation.
Ms Mankone Ntsaba is the Chairperson of the Kagiso Trust Board. She has served on the Board since 2009 and previously held roles as Deputy Chair and Chair of the Programmes Committee. She also serves on the board of Rand Water and has held positions within Kagiso Tiso Holdings, Kagiso Africa Investments, and Kagiso Shanduka Trust.
She runs a management consulting company focused on water and sanitation and previously worked at the CSIR as a researcher and consultant. She has also lectured at the Universities of Zululand and Transkei. Mankone is deeply committed to community development and poverty eradication through practical, rural-focused programmes.
Mr Mike Leslie is a fifth-generation regenerative farmer based in the eastern Free State. He combines hands-on farming experience with academic training in agriculture and an MBA focused on the food industry.
His work centres on soil health, biodiversity, and producing nutritious food through regenerative systems. He is committed to building long-term resilience in farming while balancing family life and a deep connection to the land.
Michael Lilje is a dedicated agricultural entrepreneur with a deep passion for driving sustainable growth and enhancing sustainability within the agricultural sector. Committed to maximizing land potential, he actively works to help farmers achieve greater resilience and productivity using fewer resources.
A strong advocate for regenerative agriculture and soil health, Michael has founded two companies centered on advancing these critical practices. Through these enterprises, he aims to promote and scale sustainable farming solutions throughout South Africa and beyond, ensuring long-term ecological and economic success for the agricultural community.
Ms Mmatsheko Mosito is a seasoned broadcaster, producer, and regenerative agriculture advocate with nearly two decades of experience in national radio and television. She is best known as the host of Planting the Seed on Channel Africa (SABC), where she promotes food sovereignty, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable innovation.
She began her career at YFM in 2008 and has worked across major platforms including Radio 2000 and Metro FM, as well as producing for SABC3 programmes such as Three Talk with Noeleen and Real Talk. She is the founder of the Agri Women Guild, focused on women’s empowerment, ancestral knowledge, and regenerative farming systems.
Ms Mookho Chaka is a prominent regenerative farmer, community leader, and activist based at Rustlers Valley in the eastern Free State. She is highly regarded for her advocacy in sustainable agriculture, land reclamation, and the preservation of heritage, and is a frequent speaker at major agricultural and development summits.
She is a facilitator in permaculture, sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and community development, working with communities to promote resilience and improved livelihoods. Mookho is passionate about community empowerment and creating pathways for long-term sustainable development.
Prof Naudé Malan is Senior Manager for Student Exchange and Small Scale Farmer Development at HER Model Research and Development. He is a former Associate Professor of Business Management at the University of Johannesburg.
He has led multi-stakeholder work on urban agriculture and served on the Agricultural Research Council’s Social, Ethics and Governance Committee. He is the author of Nxazoke: Circles of Urban Agriculture Enterprise Development, focusing on inclusive urban agricultural enterprise models.
Dr Nicole van Rheede is a Chief Researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) within the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII). She is a research specialist and academic focused on inclusive innovation, system change, socio-economic policy, and the informal economy across Africa. She is also a highly experienced moderator, regularly facilitating high-level dialogues that translate complex research into practical policy and development insights.
She holds a BA in Sociology and Social Anthropology, an Honours degree in Development Studies from the University of Cape Town, a Master’s in Development Studies from Nelson Mandela University, and a PhD in Business Administration from the UCT Graduate School of Business. Her work focuses on informal sector innovation, food systems, and cross-sector collaboration, with a strong emphasis on empowering township economies and grassroots enterprise development through evidence-based frameworks and inclusive policy design.
Nicolette Swartz is a seasoned advertising and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in the financial sector. Holding a BSc Hons in Digital Technology and a BA in Psychology, she has built a robust career in executive leadership, previously serving as the Managing Director of TBWA Cape Town and Group Head of Marketing at both Sanlam and 10X Investments.
Driven by a commitment to financial inclusion, Nicky founded Spoon Money, an impact enterprise providing capacity-building loans and savings solutions to female informal traders in townships. Alongside holding various non-executive board roles across the housing, finance, and healthcare sectors, she recently joined Impact Amplifier in March 2025 to enhance the team’s strategic and project management capabilities.
Ms Nomsa Ngwenya is the Founder and Director of NTL Baraka Eco Farm. She is a farming and sustainability practitioner who bridges the gap between agricultural research and practical farming, working closely with farmers to translate knowledge into on-farm impact.
Her work focuses on building climate-aware and regenerative farming systems that prioritise healthy soils, sustainable resource use, and long-term productivity. Nomsa is passionate about improving food systems through practical, farmer-centred approaches that strengthen resilience and restore land health.
Ms Rosah Ramaipadi is a pioneering organic farmer, community mentor, and rural development advocate based in Onverwacht near Polokwane in Limpopo. She serves as Chairperson of Mzansi Climate Smart Agriculture and is widely recognised for championing agroecological farming as a response to food insecurity and climate vulnerability in drought-prone regions of the province.
Working in challenging climatic conditions, she promotes indigenous and organic farming methods that exclude synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, focusing instead on soil regeneration and biodiversity. Rosah leads a growing network of small-scale farmers, particularly women, training them in seed-saving, companion planting, and sustainable production systems. Her work supports both household food security and local market integration, strengthening rural livelihoods and advancing climate-smart agriculture across Limpopo.
Dr Sifiso Ntombela is an economist, researcher, and advisor with experience across government, academia, and industry. He has held senior roles including Chief Economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council and Special Advisor in government.
He is a former President of the Agricultural Economics Association of Southern Africa and has contributed to policy, market intelligence, and agricultural development strategies across multiple sectors.
Dr Tara Southey is an innovative agricultural meteorologist, data entrepreneur, and Founder and CEO of TerraClim. She holds a PhD in Viticulture and Climate Science from Stellenbosch University, where she continues to contribute as an affiliated researcher. Her work focuses on understanding and responding to climate variability in agriculture, with a strong emphasis on long-term resilience in high-value crop systems.
Through TerraClim, she develops high-resolution GIS-based climate intelligence systems that track detailed environmental changes across agricultural regions. She translates complex climate data into practical decision-support tools for farmers, including models that assist with water management, terroir suitability, and ESG compliance. Dr Southey is a frequent speaker at major industry platforms and works at the intersection of science, policy, and agriculture to support climate-smart farming.
Mr Thabile Nkunjana is a Senior Agricultural Economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) in Pretoria. He specialises in agricultural trade, macroeconomics, market access, and food security across Southern Africa. He holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Stellenbosch University and is AVCASA-accredited as a crop advisor.
His work focuses on analysing trade agreements, export competitiveness, and the impact of global supply chain disruptions on South Africa’s agricultural sector. Nkunjana is a regular media commentator on food inflation and agricultural policy, contributing insights to SABC, Business Day TV, and Food For Mzansi. He is passionate about agricultural transformation, supporting young farmers and women in agriculture, and strengthening regional biosecurity systems.
Thaven Naidoo develops and manages projects within the Impact Amplifier portfolio, working at the critical intersection of agriculture, climate adaptation, and sustainable finance. As a practicing farmer, he brings invaluable on-the-ground experience to his work, seamlessly combining practical agricultural knowledge with a systems-level understanding of how policy, finance, and ecological practices interact. He holds a BPhil in Sustainable Development Planning and Management from Stellenbosch University and a BAS in Architecture from the University of Cape Town.
Previously serving as the Southern Africa Coordinator for the Private Finance Advisory Network, Thaven has extensive experience helping regional climate adaptation projects secure private-sector investment from concept to implementation. His broader expertise spans renewable energy and the circular economy, while his current work centers heavily on building private-sector climate resilience, advancing African carbon markets, and accelerating the transition to Net-Zero.
Mr Tshalenyana “Charles” Tsenase is a respected community leader, land rights advocate, and regenerative farming practitioner based in the eastern Free State. He serves as Chairperson of the Naledi Village Communal Property Association (CPA), where he oversees the ecological restoration and eco-tourism revival of Rustlers Valley near Ficksburg. He is widely recognised for his commitment to restoring dignity through community-led land stewardship.
He played a key role in securing the return of communal land ownership of Rustlers Valley to the Naledi community and continues to guide its long-term development. Under his leadership, the area is being transformed into a regenerative agroecological and eco-tourism hub, integrating permaculture, water restoration systems, and community farming. He also spearheaded the creation of a Memorial Forest honouring local cultural figures, reflecting his belief in land, memory, and healing as interconnected forces.
Dr Tshilidzi Madzivhandila is the Chief Executive Officer of FANRPAN. He provides strategic leadership for agriculture and food systems policy across Africa, aligning work with continental and global development frameworks.
He holds a PhD in Economics and has over 30 years of experience in research, policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and agricultural systems innovation. He also serves on South Africa’s National Planning Commission and advises on digital and development policy initiatives.
Prof Wandile Sihlobo is a leading agricultural economist, author, and policy advisor. He serves as Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and was appointed in 2026 as the Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land, where he supports coordination between government, industry, and key agricultural institutions. He is widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential voices on land reform, agri-trade, and rural economic development.
He also serves on the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and is a commissioner at the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa. Educated at the University of Fort Hare and Stellenbosch University, Sihlobo is a respected academic and commentator who regularly writes for Business Day and Food For Mzansi and hosts the podcast Agricultural Market Viewpoint. He is the author of several influential books on South African agriculture and continues to advocate for export growth, improved logistics, and inclusive sector transformation.