Ukuvuna Urban Farming

Our team

Our team of experienced permaculturalists and agro-ecologists is led by Mr John Nzira, who is one of the permaculture pioneers in Africa and now an acclaimed senior permaculture leader in Southern Africa.

John Nzira initially studied at Wits University (South Africa) and Rhodes university (South Africa) and was further trained in ecological agriculture and permaculture, environmental education and community development, including in USA, Canada and Israel thanks to international sponsorships.

John has more than two decades of experience working with government, NGOs and corporate organisations - as part of their social responsibility programmes - in Africa.
He authored and co-authored many educational articles, booklets and other materials (see the resources section) and received numerous national and international awards, including:

· SANPARKS Kudu award for Community contribution to conservation 2011, awarded in November 2012;

· MTK Award Department of Agriculture Gauteng, Water and Environment Project, First prize 2011;

· MTK Award Department of Agriculture Gauteng, Ambassador for Community Projects, First prize 2011;

· Post Bank Community Sector: Climate Change Leadership Award First prize 2010;

· MTK Award Department of Agriculture Gauteng First prize 2009;

· Landcare Nation Champion category first prize 2009;

· MTK Award Department of Agriculture Gauteng first prize 2007;

· Silver Gilt medal Chelsea Flower Show – UK Royal Horticultural Society 2006;

· DEAT Conserva individual award 1996.

UKUVUNA Optimised Sustainable Projects