Meet our key note speakers

Welcome by Professor Loretta Feris
Deputy Vice-Chancellor University of Cape Town

Loretta Feris was Professor of Law in the Institute of Marine and Environmental Law at the University of Cape Town (UCT) where she taught natural resources law, pollution law and international environmental law. Since January 2017 she has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Transformation) at UCT.

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Ms Caterina Batello
Team Leader, Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO

I lead the Team in Agriculture Plant Production and Protection Division on Agroecology and Ecosystem Management. I have a Ms. In Agriculture and and I am specialized in Tropical Pastures.

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Our Programme
Subject to change

Ms Thombithini Ndwandwe
Seed Guardian,
Farmer and Activist

Thombithini Ndwandwe was born on the 1st of January 1970, and lives in Ward 14 of the Mtubatuba local municipality (uMkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal). A mother of 3 girls and a boy, she joined the Zimele Rural Women Empowerment Organization in 2007 following on from her retrenchment as a domestic worker in Durban.

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Ms Pregs Govender

Former Commissioner and Deputy Chair of SA’s Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)

Pregs is a writer, educator and political activist. Her work over four decades, for political, economic and social justice, equality, peace and freedom has incited conscious action. An introduction to yoga in childhood and feminism and socialism as a youth, enriched her activism. From her grandparents and parents Pregs learnt respect for the earth that sustains all life. As a parent, her experience of the inherent dignity of her children affirms her belief in the dignity of every child.

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Prof. Albert Modi
Deputy Vice Chancellor for the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Albert Modi is the Deputy Vice Chancellor for the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

He obtained his PhD from the Ohio State University (USA), MScAgric from the University of Natal and BScAgric from the University of Fort Hare. He teaches Crop Science and his research focus areas also include sustainable agriculture and water relations.

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Dr Million Belay
Coordinates the Alliance
for Food Sovereignty for
Africa

Dr Million Belay coordinates the Alliance for Food Sovereignty for Africa, a network of major networks in Africa. He is a member of the International Panel of Experts on the Sustainable of Food Systems (IPES-Food). Million is a founder of MELCA – Ethiopia, an indigenous NGO working on issues of agro-ecology, intergenerational learning, advocacy and livelihood improvement of local and indigenous peoples.

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Dr Emile Frison
International Agricultural
Research for Development

Dr Emile Frison is a Belgian national with a career in international agricultural research for development. He obtained a MSc from the Catholic University of Louvain and a PhD in agricultural sciences from the University of Gembloux in Belgium. He worked in Africa for six years on agricultural research and development, with a focus on Nigeria and Mauritania.

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Method Gundidza
Earthlore Foundation

Method Gundidza, trained as a Chartered Certified Accountant, and currently holds the post of Programme Manager for EarthLore Foundation.

He completed a 3 year international training course on Earth Jurisprudence (EJ) in May 2014 facilitated by Gaia Foundation, UK and graduated in Kenya in July 2017. The training has resulted in him facilitating Community Dialogues in Zimbabwe and South Africa to revive indigenous knowledge and food systems.

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Dr Emile Frison
International Agricultural
Research for Development


Programmatic queries: Haidee Swanby at haidee@polka.co.za
Logistical queries: Fahdelah Hartley at 021 650 2866 or fahdelah.hartley@uct.ac.za