Agriculture and Environment
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Agriculture and Environment

Siphiwe Sithole

Founder | Chief executive farmer,
African Marmalade
https://www.instagram.com/africanmarmalade/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/siphiwe-sithole-cm-sa/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lutmvcGVJsc

Siphiwe Sithole is the founder and chief executive farmer of African Marmalade. Her journey from a corporate career to farming is a testament to her courage and determination. She cultivates and promotes indigenous African crops, manages a growing seed bank, and trains smallholder farmers in sustainable, traditional farming methods. Her day begins at 4am with emails and task allocation, followed by hands-on fieldwork, mentoring, processing orders, and hosting farm visits or workshops. She also engages with media, speaks at strategic events, and experiments with indigenous ingredients in her kitchen. Siphiwe’s passion for indigenous foods stems from her childhood, when she learned from her maternal great-grandmother and extended family. Later, seeing the scarcity of traditional crops among South Africans and the diaspora inspired her mission to restore these foods to kitchens and markets. Her journey was catalysed by the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which provided seed funding and mentorship. Fluent in seven South African languages, Siphiwe enhances her teaching and mentorship through strong communication and cultural connections. She has expanded African Marmalade’s influence by exhibiting at the Good Life Show, sponsoring its Masterclass Kitchen, joining the SA Chefs Association Sustainability Committee, securing a 10-year offtake agreement, and guiding farmers towards organic certification. Her greatest lessons are focus and consistency, while the best advice she has received is to find a mentor who offers unwavering support, helping navigate the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor of Journalism, Rhodes University
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising & Marketing, AAA School of Advertising 
  • Certificate in Direct Marketing, South African Direct Marketing Association (through AAA,  SADMA, now the Marketing Association of South Africa – MASA)
  • Certificate in Public Relations Principles, Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa
  • Chartered Marketer Designation CM (SA), Marketing Association of South Africa through Wits Business School

ACHEIVEMENTS

  • Becoming an exhibitor and cook at the Good Life Show from 2023 and extending African Marmalade’s participation to both the Johannesburg and Cape Town shows.
  • Scoring a first to get a nod to become an ingredient sponsor on the Good Life Show’s Masterclass Kitchen for both  Cape Town and Johannesburg in 2025. This gave smallholder farmers an opportunity to supply mostly indigenous ingredients to Chefs and Mixologists, which increased by 80% the number of these professionals who used indigenous African ingredients. African Marmalade became the proxy, face and voice of all the farmers. 
  • Appointment to the SA Chefs Association Sustainability Committee. 
  • Getting African Marmalade to be South Africa’s go-to place for sourcing samples of indigenous plants for different academic research by post-graduate students from different tertiary institutions. 
  • Signing a 10-year offtake agreement with a very strategic organisation within the health and conscious living space. 
  • Working with a network of farmers locally and in different Southern African countries for coordinated growing and distribution of commodities. 
  • Becoming a supplier of different edible products as props for South Africa’s top TV series, Shaka iLembe, season 2
  • Appointment as a facilitator for an Indigenous Knowledge Systems conference on the Recognition of Prior Learning.
  • Getting a couple, I began mentoring them to embrace organic farming, grow high-value crops, and get their farm organically certified.
  • To have one of my mentees in the Eastern Cape receive a Women Entrepreneur Award for her organic farm in 2025.
Author - Sewela Mamphiswana
| mg.co.za
Tandiswa Hopa

Tandiswa Hopa

Chief executive
Riverbend Farming Enterprises
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tandi-hopa-40977512/?originalSubdomain=za

Tandiswa Hopa is the chief executive of Riverbend Farming Enterprises, where she leads operations that combine sustainable food production with community empowerment. Her responsibilities include overseeing livestock and crop management, ensuring efficient operations, and managing a food hub at the Fresh Produce Market that sources fresh produce from emerging farmers and connects them with buyers. She also serves as director of a non-profit organisation promoting agroecological farming practices and food systems advocacy. Her journey into agriculture began unexpectedly. Growing up in Mdantsane, Tandiswa developed a love for the land while helping her parents tend their garden, where they planted maize, pumpkins, spinach, and other greens. After a career in education and later in development funding,  where she assisted agricultural entrepreneurs in securing funding and writing business plans, she realised her true calling. In 2016, she left formal employment to pursue farming full-time. Under her leadership, Riverbend has trained farmers transitioning to sustainable agriculture and hosted interns from agricultural colleges. Her influence extends globally through her appointment as a C20 facilitator, contributing to a G20 policy brief on poverty alleviation and food sovereignty. Tandiswa believes that actual growth comes through perseverance, continuous learning, and nurturing both people and the planet.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Honours in Development Studies, University of South Africa
  • Bachelor’s degree in Human and Social Sciences, specialising in Development Studies, University of South Africa        
  • Senior Primary Teachers Diploma, Dr WB Rubusana College of Education
  • Human Resources Management, Rhodes University
  • Project Management Certificate, Rhodes University Leadership Development Institute 

ACHIEVEMENTS

I am proud that, as an organisation we have been able to attract interns from various Agricultural Colleges to learn about sustainable agriculture from our operations. We have also conducted training for farmers willing to transition from conventional to sustainable farming. We have formed a partnership with similar organisations and have been able to work with them to promote advocacy for sustainable food systems. I am also proud that we were recognised for operating a food hub, which provides access to markets for other farmers as well. I have recently been appointed as one of the facilitators of the C20 working groups focusing on developing a policy brief for the G20 on Poverty Alleviation and Food Sovereignty.

| mg.co.za
Makgoshi Priscilla Masipa

Makgoshi Priscilla Masipa

Community projects coordinator | Retired
Molemole Food Processing Cooperative | Itekeng Maano Horticultural Cooperative

Dr Makgoshi Priscilla Masipa, a strategic leader in rural development, holds a PhD in Rural Development from the University of Venda. Her life’s work is dedicated to promoting food security, community development, and education in rural areas. With a background that spans a Bachelor’s and Honours degree in Home Economics from the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) and decades of hands-on experience, she has combined academic excellence with practical leadership in agricultural initiatives. Although officially retired, Masipa remains deeply engaged as a coordinator for multiple community projects, including the Itekeng Maano Horticultural Cooperative, the Molemole Food Processing Cooperative, and her own family food security initiatives. Her work involves guiding daily agricultural operations, from orchard management to vegetable production, and supporting the commercialisation of indigenous foods, such as prickly pear jam, marula jelly, and peanut butter. She also mentors cooperative executives, offering strategic guidance and ensuring projects meet community needs. Masipa is particularly proud of her role in establishing the Department of Consumer Science at UNIVEN, which now produces Master’s and PhD graduates, and of founding schools and pre-schools in Botlokwa. Her approach emphasises consistency, quality, and purpose-driven action. She believes that meaningful community engagement, combined with diligence and integrity, creates lasting impact and trust. Through her work, she continues to uplift her community, foster employment opportunities, and promote food security across rural South Africa.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • PhD in Rural Development, University of Venda 
  • Master’s degree in Development, University of Limpopo
  • Honours degree in Home Economics, University of Zululand 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics, University of Zululand 
  • Teachers Certificate, Botshavelo Training College
  • Higher Primary Teachers Certificate, Bethesda Normal College 

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Initiated the introduction of the Department of Consumer Science at the University of Venda in 1998. The Council accepted the programme, and it commenced in 2000. The programme has succeeded in producing Master’s and PhD students, 
  • The project I am proud of – Molemole Food Processing Cooperative, the DIMA Horticultural Cooperative, a home garden supplying fruit and vegetables to shops, and the founding of the Botlokwa Special School in 2010
| mg.co.za
Tlhalefo Dithebe

Tlhalefo Dithebe

Director
Agro Queen (Pty) Ltd

Tlhalefo Dithebe, the director of Agro Queen (Pty) Ltd, a thriving farming enterprise specialising in high-quality livestock and dairy production, is a shining example of adaptability in the face of change. Her typical day is hands-on and diverse, encompassing tasks such as preparing livestock feed, conducting stock counts, administering vaccinations, and milking goats, as well as ensuring that young animals receive proper care and attention. She also manages meticulous records, client interactions, and product deliveries with precision. What she loves most is the satisfaction of providing nutritious food to her community. Her journey into agriculture began during her retail career, when delivering stock revealed the high demand for meat and goat milk. The Covid-19 pandemic, a significant challenge for many, reinforced the essential nature of food, solidifying her conviction that “food is life” and fueling her dedication to farming. Tlhalefo is passionate about learning and upskilling, sharing her knowledge to strengthen the agricultural sector. Her proudest achievements include her contributions to the Serdev/Sernick project, her strategic work in logistics, and her successful expansion into dairy farming. The most valuable lesson she has learned is that hard work, patience, and dedication yield results. Guided by the principle that effort leads to fruitful outcomes, Tlhalefo’s determination and passion make her a true force in South African agriculture.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Diploma in Retail Business Management, Cape Peninsula University of Technology,
  • Degree in Retail Business Management, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • Course in the application of climate-smart agriculture as a sustainable agricultural practice, University of South Africa 

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Being part of the Serdev/Sernick project in the district  
  • Fully focusing on both logistics and the agriculture sector 
  • Venturing into dairy farming
Sewela Mamphiswana | mg.co.za
Jackie Tucker

Jackie Tucker

Director | Entrepreneur
Keystone Collection | Keystone Cafe
https://www.instagram.com/aardvark_attitude/?igsh=MXZxaGQxZGl3M2hrdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinetucker/
www.keystonecollection.co.za | www.keystonecafe.africa

Growing up in Midrand, Jackie was captivated by biology and the natural world. Childhood dreams of becoming a marine biologist, wildlife scientist, or animal expert eventually guided her into a 16-year career in the animal nutrition industry. There, she honed both scientific knowledge and strategic thinking, laying the foundation for her next chapter: empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders. She holds a Master’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Pretoria. As director of Keystone Collection and Keystone Café, Jackie’s dedication to her work is unparalleled. She divides her time between business operations and mentorship, often spending mornings managing staff, suppliers, and day-to-day operations, and afternoons guiding young agricultural graduates,  helping them build confidence, competence, and vision. Her greatest satisfaction comes from witnessing transformation—mentees discovering their potential and thriving in their careers. The café itself embodies her values of sustainability, community, and connection, with each dish reflecting responsible sourcing and mindful eating, inviting customers to engage with food that nourishes both people and planet. Jackie’s entrepreneurial spark ignited when she noticed a gap in soft skills and business readiness among scientists entering industry, prompting her to exchange corporate stability for purpose-driven leadership. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in hiking, birdwatching, and cooking, where creativity and calm meet in perfect balance.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s Degree in Animal Science, University of Pretoria 
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice (PGDip), Henley Business School, Africa 

ACHIEVEMENTS

The number one achievement would be the faith and courage it took to leave a corporate career and venture into the entrepreneurial space, creating two different businesses from scratch, each with a unique offering. Having had no prior experience in running restaurants, I can now say that after three years, I have learned a great deal about how to manage this successfully. Our business continues to grow. Secondly, I undertook an MBA journey while raising a young family at home, despite many people believing it was not a good idea. Although I did not graduate with an MBA but only a PGDip, I built a successful business from the personal development journey I experienced during that time. I am also extremely proud of the success of the mentorship programmes we have run; 14 unemployed individuals participated, and all of them found employment one to two years later.

Sewela Mamphiswana | mg.co.za
Ipeleng Kwadi-Seboni

Ipeleng Kwadi-Seboni

Farm co-owner | Provincial chairperson
Seboni Agri Farms | Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD)
https://www.instagram.com/ipelengkwadi/?igsh=cmc0OGdseXA4bjg2&utm_source=qr#

Ipeleng Kwadi-Seboni, the co-owner of Seboni Agri Farms and the provincial chairperson of Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) in the North West, is a passionate advocate for youth in trade and policy discussions. She holds an MBA from  North West University Business School and combines hands-on farming with strategic leadership,  shaping both her community and the broader agricultural landscape. Alongside her husband, Ipeleng manages a thriving cattle farm, overseeing animal nutrition, welfare, and market access. She also drives sustainable supply chains and mentors in-service agricultural students through workplace training and exposure. Her days are balanced between animal care, staff management, and youth-focused capacity building, ensuring the farm is both productive and socially impactful. Her passion for agriculture started during childhood on a family farm in Brits, where she learned the value of land and food production. Today, her mission is to position young people as innovators and leaders in agriculture, transforming perceptions of farming from a subsistence to an entrepreneurial endeavour.  Beyond the farm, Ipeleng’s advocacy for youth in trade and policy discussions, including on platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), is inspiring. Her unique blend of farmer, mentor, and continental voice positions her as a driving force for youth empowerment, food security, and sustainable agricultural development.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor of Education, North West University, Mahikeng Campus
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), North West University Business School – Potchefstroom Campus

ACHIEVEMENTS

One of the achievements I am most proud of is being selected to take part in the A Reyeng Brazil programme, which gave me the opportunity to explore international agricultural practices, broaden my perspective, and bring back valuable insights to strengthen local initiatives. Another highlight has been hosting international agricultural students from South Dakota University, in partnership with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), for the past three years. This ongoing collaboration has created a platform for knowledge exchange, cultural learning, and practical exposure—not only enriching the students’ experience in South Africa but also strengthening local farming practices through shared expertise. These milestones reflect my commitment to positioning agriculture as a global, collaborative, and youth-driven sector that builds bridges across communities and countries.

Sewela Mamphiswana | mg.co.za

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