AEKN
About the SA AEKN
The network brings together educators, researchers, farmers and civil society groups involved in agroecology research, learning and practice in South Africa. This inter-disciplinary group includes both social and natural sciences, and those in universities, technical colleges, agricultural colleges and NGOs.
Network members share experiences and insights, identify new training and research needs, and jointly seek to advance agroecology through their research, training and practice.
The network and its working groups may also undertake and share research, convene meetings and seek to influence policy in South Africa, while also building linkages across the Southern Africa region, the continent and beyond.
Although the network is still in its early days, there are five key components it will focus on.
1. Curriculum innovation: The network aims to influence and shape the curricula of higher education institutions by integrating agroecology into educational programs.
2. Best practice sharing: The network will facilitate knowledge exchange among researchers, educators and practitioners. through sharing best practices in teaching, learning, and research, including case studies and success stories in agroecology.
3. Coordination and collaboration: By fostering collaboration among various organisations and research groups, it aims to improve the coordination of agroecology research, maximising impact and effectiveness.
4. Transformative research: Through collaborative efforts, the network intends to conduct innovative research that highlights the efficacy and benefits of agroecological practices, showcasing their ability to transform agriculture.
5. Policy: The network will provide a strong agroecology evidence base from which to influence agricultural policy in southern Africa and enable its effective implementation.
AEKN Members
The network has over 30 members across 11 different institutions and organisations in South Africa. Meet the members of the steering committee below.
Professor Rachel Wynberg
DSI/NRF Bioeconomy Research Chair, University of Cape Town
Rachel Wynberg is an academic and policy analyst with a special interest in bio-politics and the biodiversity-based economy, access and benefit sharing, sustainable agricultural futures, and agroecology. She is a Professor in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at UCT, and holds a national Research Chair on Social and Environmental Dimensions of the Bioeconomy. With a background in the natural and social sciences, she has a strong interest in trans- and inter-disciplinarity and policy engagement across the humanities, arts and sciences.
Dr. Brittany Kesselman
Post-doctoral researcher,
University of Cape Town
Brittany Kesselman is a researcher with the Bioeconomy Chair at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she coordinates the Research for Agroecology Network Southern Africa (RAENS). The project involves 8 implementing partners in 5 Southern African countries (Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and Europe. It builds national- as well as regional-level agroecology knowledge networks and focuses on research, curriculum, knowledge dissemination and advocacy in support of agroecological transitions in the region. Her current research focuses on the intersections of agroecology and indigenous food and farming knowledge and practices. Previous work has focused on the impact of colonialism on indigenous foodways in South Africa, challenges of urban food injustice, migration and dietary change, community food institutions, urban agriculture and food sovereignty.
Professor Kirk Helliker
Rhodes University
Kirk Helliker is a research professor in the Department of Sociology at Rhodes University in South Africa, as well as founder and director of the Unit of Zimbabwean Studies. His main research interests are land reform, civil society and political transformation with particular reference to Zimbabwe.
Dr. Qinisani Qwabe
Nelson Mandela University
Dr. Maya Marshak
Post-doctoral researcher,
University of Cape Town
Maya Marshak is a post-doctoral researcher under the Bioeconomy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town, and is also an artist and beginner farmer. Maya's research focus is on agricultural knowledge and research in Southern Africa, the impacts of industrial technologies and the corporatization of research, and the mobilisation of alternative agricultural research through interdisciplinary collaborations between farmers and scientists.
Dr. Neo Mathinya
Morgan Lee
PhD candidate,
University of Cape Town
Morgan Lee is a PhD candidate under the Bioeconomy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town. Her research explores sustainable agricultural transitions on commercial grain farms in South Africa and investigates industrial agriculture lock-in mechanisms and pathways of escape.
Dr. Tlou Masehela
Lecturer
University of the Free State
Dr Neo Mathinya is a lecturer in the Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences Department at the University of the Free State, from which she obtained her MSc in Soil Science. She holds a PhD from the Production Ecology and Resource Conservation graduate school of Wageningen University and Research (Netherlands). Her research focuses on the complex and dynamic interactions between the biophysical and socioeconomic factors influencing sustainable land use management with analysis at the field, household, and landscape levels. She is experienced in fieldwork, varying from on-site biophysical sampling to stakeholder engagements. She uses R Studio for quantitative analysis and Atlas Ti for qualitative analysis.
Biodiversity Control Officer
Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE)
Dr. Tlou Masehela is the Biodiversity Control Officer at DFFE. His work focus area is on Biosafety (Genetically Modified Organisms) and Invasive Alien Species (IAS), within the Directorate of Biodiversity Risk Management. He previously worked as a GMO Scientist for the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); and Scientist: Invertebrates and Pollinators for the South African National Parks (SANParks). Tlou holds a PhD in Entomology, which was dedicated to research on honeybees. His other areas of work have been on plant-insect interactions, crop pollination, and various aspects of assessment and monitoring of biodiversity/environment impacts arising from the cultivation of Genetically Modified crops.
Dr. Vince Ndou
Senior Lecturer and Researcher
Dr. V. N. Ndou is a Senior Lecturer, Agronomist, and Researcher at MUT in the Department of Agricultural Extension Science and Sustainable Food Systems, where he lectures agriculture-related courses and drives initiatives in sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural farming development. His research focuses on socio-economic analysis, sustainable agriculture, and production modelling for smallholder farmers, aiming to enhance productivity and profitability while promoting agroecology and environmentally sustainable practices. With a strong commitment to empowering youth, women, and rural communities, Dr. Ndou champions innovative and eco-friendly agricultural practices to foster a more sustainable food future.
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