Theme: Food for Thought

“Food for Thought'' is not merely about sustenance—it embodies a commitment to combat hunger through the power of ideas. At TEDxJohannesburgSalon: Food for Thought, on 19 October 2023 at the The Forum in Bryanston, Johannesburg, we curate a diverse array of solutions and possibilities, sparking inspiration and fostering collaboration to tackle food insecurity. Through the TEDx format of sharing "ideas worth spreading," our event presents unconventional perspectives, cutting-edge research, and inspiring success stories related to hunger and food security. Supported by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), we challenge traditional thinking and explore new approaches and technologies that promise to make a significant impact in ending hunger across Africa. Join us on this journey of sharing, learning, and co-creating a hunger-free future for all.

The Forum, The Campus
57 Sloane Street
Bryanston
Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2169
South Africa

Andy Du Plessis

Food Justice Advocate

Andy heads FoodForward South Africa, a non-profit combating food insecurity through surplus food recovery. Over a decade, he grew it into South Africa's biggest food distribution group using the FoodShare platform. With 30 years of experience, Andy led the Peninsula School Feeding Association for 15 years. He advocates for South African Food Donation Regulations, emphasising how nutritious food access improves lives, reduces poverty, and stimulates economic growth. Andy holds an Honours Degree from UWC and an MPhil from the University of Pretoria

Deprose Muchena

Human Rights Activist

Deprose Muchena heads Amnesty International’s Southern Africa Regional Office (SARO) in Johannesburg, and leads a team working to end human rights abuses in the region. Under his leadership, Amnesty has strengthened its presence, collaborating with various stakeholders to promote rights-respecting societies. They investigate root causes of rights abuses, addressing socio-economic rights, business and human rights, justice, and accountability. They focus on human rights defenders and freedom of expression and assembly in the face of shrinking civil society space

Forrest Branch

Agribusiness Industrialist

Forrest is co-founder and Managing Director of KolAgri sarl, a thriving agribusiness in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Boasting vast farming experience, he oversees a 30,000-tonne grain storage system and a maize packaging startup. Forrest's career spans rural development, agribusiness, and reducing horticulture imports in Namibia. He excels in enterprise strategy, import substitution, and agri-tourism, actively participating in Namibia's agribusiness

Isak Pretorius

Social Entrepreneur

In 2020, Isak designed an electronic food voucher system to streamline COVID-19 food distribution, keeping communities and informal businesses alive. As head of ForAfrika, he's leading the charge for 20 million Africans to sustainably provide for themselves by 2032, addressing diverse community needs and fostering robust small businesses to see Africa thrive. With two decades in the humanitarian and business sectors, he advises governments, donors, businesses, and NGOs on sustainable and regenerative programs. A University of South Africa graduate and active YPO member, deeply dedicated to serving Africa.

Josephine Katumba

Food Access Champion

Josephine is dedicated to food systems transformation, working as Chief of Staff at Wakanda Food Accelerator. She leads innovative initiatives, including Gcwalisa, to enhance food access and address low-income community challenges. Her notable achievements include recognition as Africa's Brightest Young Mind with the World Food Programme in 2022 and being honoured as a Mercedes Benz BeVisioneer in 2023.

Lance Quiding

Aquaculture Innovator

Lance, a native of Johannesburg with a Mechanical Engineering Diploma from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, initially worked at the South African Motor Corporation (SAMCOR) before shifting to managing Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. After a sequence of entrepreneurial ventures, he founded Integrated Aquaculture (Pty) Ltd in Hekpoort, a commercial fish farm integrating aquaponics and aquaculture. He aims to boost interest in these fields at various scales, leveraging his technical knowledge.

Michele Sohn

Systems Thinker

Michele had a successful career using research to shape strategies for blue chip companies to sell more products to consumers that could not afford them. COVID changed that. She now pours her energies into helping organisations understand and support entrepreneurs operating in informal economies in Africa. Her passion lies in solving the impossible challenge of fixing broken food systems. She implements this work through 10 Million Makers, a PBO she is a director of. Michele holds a BA in Fine Arts (Wits) and an MBA (Wits Business School).

Mourine Achieng

Digital Innovation Advocate

Mourine is a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of South Africa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership in the department of Digital Transformation and Innovation where she focuses on research and student supervision. Her research interests are on the use of technology to address socio-economic, cultural, and environmental barriers. She believes that technology should be used to address societal issues to create opportunities for all.

Terence Maphosa

Rural visionary

Terence, with six years of experience in rural development, leads KwaTerry Rural Restaurant, promoting rural tourism. The business spans improved roadrunner chicken breeding, organic meat production, horticulture, and goat farming. Terence advocates against hunger and plans to export his produce to international markets. He aids underprivileged children in education and has empowered 300 rural youths with "free" roadrunner chicks. He holds an Honours Degree in Political Science from the University of Zimbabwe.

Tubatsi Moloi

Singer/Songwriter

Tubatsi Mpho Moloi, a South African singer-songwriter, melds blues, jazz, rock, and African folk influences in a genre-defying sound. Inspired by artists like Guy Buttery and Bob Dylan, his music urges open-minded exploration. Raised in Soweto, Johannesburg, Tubatsi's early musical exposure shaped his diverse style. From actor/dancer/singer in Umoja to lead vocalist for the experimental band Urban Village, he brings a rich blend of flute, guitar, and mbira to the stage. Tubatsi's latest work is a testament to his dynamic musical journey, fusing genres to create an authentic, evocative folk sound that captivates audiences.

Tumi Dlamini

Corporate Governance Expert

Tumi Dlamini, a corporate lawyer and advisor to the African Peer Review Mechanism, advances corporate governance reforms in Africa. She led the creation of African Principles and Guidelines on Corporate Governance, emphasising Ubuntu values and ethics. Tumi champions ethical business practices and excels in forming global partnerships. She founded OGAC and supports education for underprivileged South Africans. Tumi leads the bid for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in South Africa.