The Mbali Nwoko Podcast
Welcome to the Mbali Nwoko Podcast, the leading agricultural podcast on the African continent!
Join us as we bring you exclusive insights from the foremost industry experts and stakeholders in the agricultural sector and its value chain.
The podcast features a diverse range of guests, including farmers, scientists, agronomists, researchers, economists, investors, and policymakers, among others.
Our mission is to inspire, educate, and inform our listeners about the business of farming and agriculture, and to help them stay up-to-date with the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the industry.
Your host, Mbali Nwoko, is a multi-award-winning South African farmer, keynote speaker, columnist, and agri entrepreneur, who brings her wealth of experience and expertise to every episode.
So tune in (biweekly) on this exciting journey of discovery and growth in the world of agriculture!
Episodes
64 episodes
EP 63 I Zoë Karl-Waithaka : Exploring new frontiers with BCG
I have the pleasure of speaking with Zoe, the Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) based in Nairobi. Zoe brings a wealth of experience in management consulting across the African cont...
EP 62 I Glantine Mashile: Overcoming barriers to finance in agriculture
In conversation with Glantine Mashile, MD of Geekay Agribusiness.Glantine shares invaluable insights on the challenges farmers face in securing loans from retail banks, particularly for black and emerging farmers. He emphasises the importan...
EP 61 I Dr Penny Byrne: Exploring ESG and Climate Resilience in Agriculture
Dr. Penny, an ESG specialist, sheds light on the significance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in today's agricultural landscape. She shares her expertise as an ESG Investment Analyst at SBG Securities, emphasising the importance ...
EP 60 I Michelle Marais: Urban Farmer's mission to support African agriculture
Michelle shares her journey in the agricultural sector, her recent award win, and her work with small-scale farmers through Urban Farmer. We discuss the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, th...
EP 59 I Minki Thulo: The role of a Business Coach in scaling and growing your business
In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Minki, a seasoned business growth consultant and coach at GROW. We explore the crucial role of business coaching in the success of entrepreneurs, delvi...
EP 58 I Oxolo Mofokeng : Siyavuna Abalimi Development Centre
In conversation with Oxolo Mofokeng, the Deputy Director of Siyavuna Abalimi Development Centre. Siyavuna focuses on empowering rural communities in Kwa...
EP 57: Francois Rossouw I Unleashing AI in Agriculture with AI Farmer powered by AELA
In our first episode of 2024, we dive into the transformative world of agricultural technology with our guest, Francois Rossouw, CEO of SAAI. Francois, a returning friend of the podcast, shares exciting develo...
EP 56 I Sinelizwi Fakade: Unlocking commercialisation strategies for rural agricultural development
Ukhanyo Farmer Development (NPO) is a pioneering initiative dedicated to empowering and uplifting farmers in South Africa, in the Eastern Cape province. Focused on rural agricultural development, the organization aims to unlock the full potenti...
EP 55 I Thabile Nkunjana: Understanding the economics behind the egg scarcity crisis
Over the past couple of months, the poultry industry in South Africa has faced unprecedented challenges, especially with the emergence of the bird flu virus. This outbreak has had a profound impact, particularly on the availability of poultry p...
EP 54: Palesa Motaung: Making agribusiness value chains more efficient with Agrikool
Agrikool, is a startup focused on making food and agricultural products accessible to everyone. Palesa Motaung, COO of Agrikool discusses the challenges of agri-entrepreneurship in South Africa and how ...
EP 53 I Stephanie van der Walt: Women in Agriculture - Highlights from the International Fresh Produce Association's Women's Fresh Perspective
Stephanie van der Walt, the Regional Manager of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) discusses the purpose of industry body associations and the work they do, as well as the benefits of ...
EP 52 I Zaheer Dindar and Fazlur Pandor: Introducing Pumpkin: A Web-Based Platform for Agribusiness Financial Management and Funding
Speaking to Zaheer Dindar and Fazlur Pandor both Co-Founders of Pumpkn.ioPumpkn is a web-based platform that helps agribusinesses manage their finances and ...
EP 51 I Tendai Chitapi & Oliver Windram: Farming with AI! How machine vision and deep learning are transforming produce grading - Kuronga
Tendai Chitapi and Oliver Windram, co-founders of Kuronga. Kuronga is a platform that utilizes machine vision and deep learning to help farmers accurately grade their...
EP 50 I Linda Siboto: Unveiling the world of cannabis with Cheeba Cannabis Academy
Linda Siboto is the Co-founder of Cheeba Cannabis Academy and he unpacks the cannabis industry from obtaining licenses, cultivation practices, the costs associated with cannabis farming, and the various c...
EP 49 I Christian Giesel: The role of marketing in shaping the future of agriculture with Syngenta
Christian Giesel, the Head of Marketing at Syngenta South Africa is the guest on this exciting podcast episode. Syngenta is a global agribusiness compan...
EP 48 I Lindsay Hopkins and Ozzy Nel : SA Harvest
SA Harvest, based in the heart of South Africa, is a pioneering company with a mission to alleviate hunger while combating food waste. They've identified a critical issue in our society—tons of perfectly edi...
EP 47 I Naledi Magowe: Empowering Africa's rural farmers through tech innovation.
Brastorne is an innovative technology startup based in Botswana, dedicated to bridging the digital divide and empowering the rural poor in Africa. With a deep-rooted commitment to addressing the needs of...
EP 46 I Thabile Nkunjana: Food price inflation and its impact on the consumer market
Thabile Nkunjana is an experienced economist in agri-food systems, international trade, and rural development industry, and is currently employed by the NAMC as an Economist in Agri-Food Chains.
EP 45 I Andy Du Plessis: Food Forward SA
Food Forward SA works with a network of food donors, volunteers, and beneficiary organizations to collect surplus food from retailers, farmers, and manufacturers, and distribute it to vulnerable communit...
EP 44 I Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli: Growing agribusinesses across Africa
In this episode, we take a closer look at the incredible career of Ndidi Nwuneli, an entrepreneur, author, and advocate for sustainable development in Nigeria's agri sector. Ndidi is the founder of AACE Foods, an agribusiness company that works...
EP 43 I Mishkaat Anderson: Breeding varieties for the South African deciduous fruit producers.
Speaking to Mishkaat who is the newly appointed GM for Culdevco. Culdevco’s main objective is to identify, market and commercialise profitable Agricultural Research Council (ARC) bred varieties for the South African deciduous fruit pro...
EP 42 I Shalom Ben Or : Building a fintech company for the African agriculture sector.
Avenews is a fast-growing Israeli-Kenyan fintech company building the first financial super app for the agriculture industry in Africa.Despite their economic contribution, agri-SMBs receive only...
EP 41 I Dimakatso (Nono) Sekhoto: Developing young agricultural leaders across the African continent
Nono is a commercial farmer and business women who has built a remarkable career in the agricultural sector focusing on primary agriculture, particularly in empowering youth, women and new entrants in the agriculture sector.We discuss h...
EP 40 I Maluta Netshaulu: Commercial agriculture and the banking sector
In conversation with Maluta Netshaulu - Senior Manager: Agriculture (Client Value Proposition). He is a thought leader in the sector and we highlight the wins and losses experienced across the agri sector over the past 6 months and what t...
EP 39 I Chirene Jelbert - How to export your produce as a grower/ producer.
Chatting to Chirene Jelbert , Owner and MD of C- FRUIT. She is an entrepreneur and commercial agriculture professional that has been in the industry for over 15 years. Let's hear how her business helps grower...