TEDxJohannesburgSalon: Food for Thought

Andy heads FoodForward South Africa, a non-profit combating food insecurity through surplus food recovery. Over a decade, he grew it into South Africa's biggest food distribution group using the FoodShare platform. With 30 years of experience, Andy led the Peninsula School Feeding Association for 15 years. He advocates for South African Food Donation Regulations, emphasising how nutritious food access improves lives, reduces poverty, and stimulates economic growth. Andy holds an Honours Degree from UWC and an MPhil from the University of Pretoria.
 

In 2020, Isak designed an electronic food voucher system to streamline COVID-19 food distribution, keeping communities and informal businesses alive. As head of ForAfrika, he's leading the charge for 20 million Africans to sustainably provide for themselves by 2032, addressing diverse community needs and fostering robust small businesses to see Africa thrive. With two decades in the humanitarian and business sectors, he advises governments, donors, businesses, and NGOs on sustainable and regenerative programs. A University of South Africa graduate and active YPO member, deeply dedicated to serving Africa.
 

Tumi, a corporate lawyer and advisor to the African Peer Review Mechanism, advances corporate governance reforms in Africa. She led the creation of African Principles and Guidelines on Corporate Governance, emphasising Ubuntu values and ethics. Tumi champions ethical business practices and excels in forming global partnerships. She founded OGAC and supports education for underprivileged South Africans. Tumi leads the bid for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in South Africa.

Forrest is co-founder and Managing Director of KolAgri sarl, an agribusiness in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Boasting vast farming experience, he oversees a 30,000-tonne grain storage system and a maize packaging startup. Forrest's career spans rural development, agribusiness, and reducing horticulture imports in Namibia. He excels in enterprise strategy, import substitution, and agri-tourism, actively participating in Namibia's agribusiness.
 

Lance, a native of Johannesburg with a Mechanical Engineering Diploma from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, initially worked at the South African Motor Corporation (SAMCOR) before shifting to managing Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. After a sequence of entrepreneurial ventures, he founded Integrated Aquaculture (Pty) Ltd in Hekpoort, a commercial fish farm integrating aquaponics and aquaculture. He aims to boost interest in these fields at various scales, leveraging his technical knowledge.

Mourine is a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of South Africa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership in the department of Digital Transformation and Innovation where she focuses on research and student supervision. Her research interests are on the use of technology to address socio-economic, cultural, and environmental barriers. She believes that technology should be used to address societal issues to create opportunities for all.

Terence, with six years of experience in rural development, leads KwaTerry Rural Restaurant, promoting rural tourism. The business spans improved roadrunner chicken breeding, organic meat production, horticulture, and goat farming. Terence advocates against hunger and plans to export his produce to international markets. He aids underprivileged children in education and has empowered 300 rural youths with "free" roadrunner chicks. He holds an Honours Degree in Political Science from the University of Zimbabwe.

Michele had a successful career using research to shape strategies for blue chip companies to sell more products to consumers that could not afford them. COVID changed that. She now pours her energies into helping organisations understand and support entrepreneurs operating in informal economies in Africa. Her passion lies in solving the impossible challenge of fixing broken food systems. She implements this work through 10 Million Makers, a PBO she is a director of. Michele holds a BA in Fine Arts (Wits) and an MBA (Wits Business School).
 

Josephine is dedicated to food systems transformation, working as Chief of Staff at Wakanda Food Accelerator. She leads innovative initiatives, including Gcwalisa, to enhance food access and address low-income community challenges. Her notable achievements include recognition as Africa's Brightest Young Mind with the World Food Programme in 2022 and being honoured as a Mercedes Benz BeVisioneer in 2023.