Edmore Parichi has been with TCOE since 2012 and he is currently the Food Sovereignty Stream Coordinator. Edmore has a wealth of experience in agroecology including the development of climate resilient alternatives. Edmore is a farmer who advocates for a strong agroecology movement across the country and globally. He believes access to the Commons should be at the centre of small-scale producer and rural struggles.

Reinette Heunis is a self-taught farmer practising agroecology and the lead farmer of the five woman Suurbrak Aquaponics farming team. The women grow vegetables and seedlings on one hectare of land and distribute the seedlings to households to strengthen food security. As a strong advocate of agroecology, Reinette generously shares her knowledge with emerging farmers, home gardeners and food sovereignty activists. Reinette is a member of the Rural Women’s Assembly in South Africa.

Robert Andrews is a qualified scientist with an undergraduate degree in Biodiversity and Conservation biology from UWC. He has both a PgDip in aquaculture and a MSc in sustainable agriculture from Stellenbosch University. Robert, as a student consultant from Stellenbosch University, worked at the Fizantekraal and Koo valley sites for Molapong aquaculture. In his MSc he focused on managing wastewater from anaerobic digestion with aquaponics. Robert has specialist skills in the agricultural and renewable energy industries.