Vukosi Marivate is a South African computer scientist and data researcher. He is a Professor at the University of Pretoria and holds the ABSA Chair of Data Science. Born and raised in South Africa, Marivate specialises in artificial intelligence and natural language processing, with a focus on African languages. He leads the Data Science for Social Impact research group and co-founded Lelapa AI, a company building AI by Africans for Africans. He is also a key figure behind the Masakhane Research Foundation and the Deep Learning Indaba, both of which work to empower African researchers in AI and machine learning.
Mark Gaffley is a South African attorney and researcher working at the intersection of law, ethics, and artificial intelligence. He has over thirteen years of experience with organisations such as Uber, Takealot, the Human Sciences Research Council, and the Global Center on AI Governance, where he now serves as Director: Legal & Operations. Mark studied history, sociology, and law at the University of Cape Town, where he is also completing a PhD in jurisprudence. His research explores how AI affects human autonomy and decision-making. He is a co-author of Human Rights and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa (2021).
Mpho Primus is a South African computer scientist, entrepreneur, and AI advocate. She is an Associate Professor and Co-Director at the Institute for Artificial Intelligent Systems at the University of Johannesburg, and founder of Primus Tech Hub, a consultancy focused on AI-driven data strategies. Her research centres on natural language processing for African languages. Named one of Wired4Women’s 100 Most Influential Women in Tech in 2024, she has received multiple awards for her work in STEM. A sought-after speaker and advisor, Prof. Primus champions inclusive, African-led innovation that bridges research, business, and digital justice.
Adeola Oyebade is the CEO of Kalesanwa, a cooperative company supporting immigrant communities in Cape Town. Facing economic hardships and exclusion, these communities benefit from Adeola’s leadership of a savings, loan, and investment scheme.
Adeola views financial exclusion as a human rights issue and works tirelessly to ensure economic participation for informal traders in Cape Town CBD.
Kim Bagley is a South African food blogger, cookbook author, and TikTok favourite. Based in Johannesburg with her husband and three daughters, she draws inspiration from her Cape Malay roots and her husband’s Durban Indian heritage. Her cooking blends these traditions into a warm, bold South African fusion. Kim’s debut cookbook, Cooking with Kim Bagley, features comforting family favourites like oxtail stew, lamb biryani, and Amarula milk tart. Known for her easygoing style and flavourful dishes, Kim celebrates food that brings people together—simple to make, joyful to share, and full of heart.
Event: Public Conversation – Interview with recipe book author, Kim Bagley
Tarryn de Kock is a Johannesburg-based researcher, food storyteller, and former MasterChef South Africa finalist. With a background in education and social research, she blends academic insight with culinary creativity. Her cooking draws from Mediterranean and Asian influences, layered with bold South African flavours. Tarryn runs Rebel Yum, a catering and craft business, and writes the Substack newsletter Scattered Chatter. In 2025, she was selected as one of the top 25 finalists for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship. Through immersive dining experiences like The Glocal Table, she explores how food connects culture, history, and identity.
Melanie Stewart, Farm Manager at Oranjezicht City Farm, has a strong background in business administration and farming. She ensures optimal productivity while upholding organic principles, fostering education and community outreach. Melanie’s commitment to sustainability and nurturing approach make her an invaluable asset to the OZCF team.
Motheo Mamabolo is an indigenous scientist and cultural strategist exploring mushrooms as food, medicine, and memory. Rooted in Batswana cosmologies, their work blends storytelling, fermentation, and ancestral knowledge to address food scarcity and healing in postcolonial Africa. They are the founder of NAGA, a platform for decolonial creativity and sustainable futures. From cultivating fungi in rural Zeerust to studying neuro-nutrition, Motheo’s work connects land, brain health, and community. Their practice spans art, science, and cosmotechnics, positioning mushrooms as sacred kin and tools for reimagining food systems, education, and ecological healing.
JX Xolani Gumede is an AI ethicist, author, and food justice advocate. He is the founder of JX & Co, a thought leadership and ethics agency focused on AI in agriculture and organisational ethics. A Certified Ethics Officer and qualified project manager, he holds a Master’s in Project Management from the University of Southern Queensland. JX is the author of The Conscious Navigator and speaks internationally on ethical governance, food systems, and the future of AI in Africa. His work bridges technology, justice, and ethics with a distinctly Pan-African perspective.
Gareth Haysom is an urban food systems researcher at the African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town.
He co-leads the Urban Food Systems Research Cluster and holds a PhD from UCT and an MPhil from Stellenbosch University. Gareth’s research focuses on the intersection of urban and food systems, using food as a lens to understand urbanisation in African cities.
Mzikabawo Mashicila (Mzi) is a farmer and co- founder of Lerotholi Food Garden in Langa township. He specialises in growing herbs and medicinal plants and one of his dreams is to sell his produce to restaurants and expand his business beyond Langa. For Mzi, farming is not just a source of income but also a therapeutic pursuit fueled by his passion for agriculture.
Miles Kubheka is an entrepreneur, speaker, chef, and author known for his bold ideas and inspiring journey. After leaving a corporate job at Microsoft, he gained fame by opening a real-life version of a fictional restaurant from a popular TV ad. That move launched his entrepreneurial career and sparked national interest. He later founded Wakanda, a food business accelerator, and lectures in strategy at Stellenbosch Business School. With experience in tech, food, and healthcare, Miles champions entrepreneurial thinking in both business and society. He is also a board member of SA Harvest and the founder of Gcwalisa.
Event: AI and the Food Sytem Conference and Chef’s Summit
Dr Clement Nyirenda is a computer scientist and AI researcher whose work explores the intersection of computational intelligence and sustainable food systems. He holds a PhD from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and currently serves as Associate Professor and Director of eResearch at the University of the Western Cape. A Co-Principal Investigator of the UKUDLA Centre of Excellence, he leads research on agri-food data science, post-harvest loss, and digital infrastructure for resilient food systems. With global academic experience and editorial leadership at JACIII, Dr Nyirenda brings a deep technical and systems-thinking lens to agriculture, nutrition, and AI across the Global South.
Nomalanga Linda Ruiters is a food grower, trainer, and community leader passionate about indigenous knowledge systems and urban agriculture. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Communication Management and has facilitated training in agroecology, permaculture, and urban farming for organisations such as Abalimi Bezekhaya, SEED, Food and Trees for Africa, and House of Boniwe. Rooted in a lineage of Traditional Herbalists, Nomalanga combines ancestral wisdom with practical training to promote food sovereignty and medicinal plant knowledge. Guided by visions and community spirit, she is committed to seeing every township household cultivate a garden and reclaim traditional practices for wellness.
Dr Wendy Black is an archaeologist and museum curator whose work centres on indigenous heritage, human remains, and transformation within cultural institutions. She holds a PhD in Archaeology from the University of Cape Town and serves as Chief Curator of Art and Social History at Iziko Museums of South Africa. Her research explores the population histories of southern Africa’s hunter-gatherer communities, with a strong emphasis on ethical representation, indigenous rights, and decolonial practice in museums. Through her curatorial and academic work, Dr Black is shaping critical conversations about identity, restitution, and the role of heritage in post-apartheid South Africa.
Allister Esau is a culinary leader, educator, and curator with over 25 years in the hospitality industry. He serves as Food Lead at the V&A Waterfront and Curator of Makers Landing, while also contributing to the South African and World Chefs Associations. From washing dishes in London to launching award-winning restaurants in Zambia and Cape Town, Allister’s journey reflects a passion for innovation, sustainability, and training. With qualifications in marketing, operations, and food safety, he brings deep expertise across catering, aquaculture, and community development. His work champions African culinary excellence and fosters inclusive growth in the global food landscape.
Event: Chef’s Summit
Keith Sparks is a seasoned tour guide, storyteller, and founder of Afrisynergy, with a passion for pavement culture, community, and the art of walking. Born and raised in Crawford on the Cape Flats during the height of political unrest, Keith draws from his grassroots activist roots to craft immersive, human-centred tours across Cape Town. Since the mid-1990s, he has focused on sharing township stories with global audiences, including programming for the Japanese Peace Boat’s Cape Town visits. A national guide with a deep love for public spaces, running, art, and reading, Keith brings a rich, lived perspective to every tour he leads.
Riana Andrews is a journalist, editor, and content strategist whose work spans the food, film, and events industries. She is the Editor of SA Chef Magazine, a leading B2B platform for culinary professionals, and also oversees The Callsheet, a trade publication for the film sector. With a background in news journalism at Cape Argus and IOL, where she served as Editor for five years, Riana brings a sharp editorial eye to industry storytelling. She curates content for major tourism events like Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba, fostering dialogue and development across South Africa’s creative and hospitality landscapes.
Event: Chef’s Summit
Petro Myburgh is a sustainability strategist and systems thinker driving circular innovation at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. As Sustainability Manager, she leads the precinct’s efforts to build regenerative urban ecosystems through projects such as an on-site waste-to-energy plant and a circular maker space that champions local design and reuse. Her work focuses on zero waste practices, food recovery, and inclusive place-based solutions that prioritise community and environmental resilience. With a deep commitment to collaboration and systemic change, Petro is shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for urban spaces in South Africa.
Event: Zero Waste Summit
Maria Gakenye is a Kenyan vocalist, researcher, and social entrepreneur whose work bridges music, innovation, and African knowledge systems. Based in Cape Town, she holds a BA in Jazz Studies and is completing a master’s in ethnomusicology with a focus on African Studies and innovation. Her research explores inclusive vocal pedagogy using Indigenous Knowledge Systems and design thinking. Founder of Sauti za Afrika, a pan-African jazz collective, Gakenye blends traditional and popular African sounds with jazz expression. A Sparks Impact Fellow, she is committed to using music and education as tools for storytelling, identity, and socio-economic transformation across African communities.
Zukiswa Pikoli is Daily Maverick’s Managing Editor for News and Maverick Citizen, where she previously worked as a journalist and was a founding member of the civil society-focused platform. Before joining Daily Maverick, she served as a communications and advocacy officer in the civil society sector and worked as an online editor in the publishing industry. She leads the Food Justice project at Maverick Citizen and hosts the “What’s Eating Us” podcast, where she engages with various stakeholders in South Africa’s food chain to raise awareness about the right to food, hunger and food insecurity in our country.
Event: Zero Waste Summit and Public Conversation – Interview with recipe book author, Kim Bagley
Dr Frederic Isingizwe is a research data scientist working at the intersection of technology, agriculture, and community development. Based at the eResearch Office at the University of the Western Cape, he draws on a background in Physical Sciences and Electronic Engineering to develop smart sensing and data systems for postharvest monitoring. His research applies machine learning and advanced modelling to improve food quality, reduce losses, and enhance nutrition and accessibility across the agri-food chain. Passionate about mentorship and capacity-building, Dr Isingizwe is committed to using data-driven innovation to support sustainable food systems and uplift communities across Africa.
Arabella Parkinson is a chef and food systems consultant dedicated to sustainability, nutrition, and regenerative gastronomy. With over a decade of experience, she works at the intersection of culinary arts and climate action, advocating for chefs as key agents of food system change. Through her consultancy, Eat to Thrive, Arabella designs sustainable food strategies for lodges and wellness retreats, emphasising circular practices, indigenous ingredients, and biodiversity. She offers climate-conscious catering, menu development, and immersive dining experiences, and collaborates with global initiatives like the Chefs Manifesto. Arabella brings a values-driven, impact-focused approach to building resilient, nourishing, and just food futures.
Event: Chef’s Sumit
Rirhandzu Marivate is a sustainability practitioner and food systems leader, serving as Programme Manager at the SA Urban Food & Farming Trust and a member of its strategic leadership team. She directs multiple initiatives, including the Agrihub Initiative, AfriFOODlinks, and the Environmental Entrepreneurship Support Initiative, while also leading SAUFFT’s organisational development programme. With a background in ecological science and experience at the CSIR, Rirhandzu previously founded and managed the Living Soils Community Learning Farm. A Mandela Washington Fellow and Mail & Guardian Green Futurist, she brings expertise in climate adaptation, community-driven development, and indigenous foodways to advancing just, regenerative urban food systems.
Event: Bellville and Langa Food System Walking Tour
Nailah Furnival is Project Assistant for the AfriFOODlinks project, where she supports work on urban food system transformation across African cities. She holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies, with a focus on territorial food systems and governance. Before joining SAUFFT, she contributed to various food systems research projects as a student researcher. Her earlier career in the advertising industry, spanning several agencies, honed her skills in brand building and communication strategy, offering a unique lens on human behaviour and systems thinking. Nailah brings a multidisciplinary approach to food systems work, grounded in curiosity, critical inquiry, and a commitment to social change.
Event: Bellville and Langa Food System Walking Tour