Kurt Ackermann
Kurt Ackermann is chief executive of the SA Urban Food & Farming Trust. He is also a research fellow at the Global Risk Governance Programme at the University of Cape Town, sits on Cape Town’s Food Systems Working Group and Food Systems Research Community of Practice. Prior to his involvement with food systems in 2012 as co-founder of the Oranjezicht City Farm and Market, Kurt spent a decade consulting civil society organisations, government and the private sector on strategy and management challenges pertaining to urban resilience through projects in energy and climate change, resource use and waste, conservation and sustainability, and education. Before emigrating to South Africa in 2000, Kurt played key roles in starting up and leading multi-city agencies driving digital business transformation in the Americas. Kurt holds an AB from The University of Chicago, and was a Business Fellow at Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Hadijah Nankanja
Hadijah Nankanja is a seasoned community development leader with over 12 years of experience advancing women’s economic empowerment and sustainable enterprise development in Uganda. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Community Women’s Enterprise Network Uganda Limited (CWEN), a nonprofit with a focus on Agribusiness dedicated to building the entrepreneurial capacity of women and youth. A committed mentor, she supports multiple regional development programs focused on entrepreneurship and food systems transformation and is the East Africa Regional Ambassador for African Food Changemakers, representing six countries and championing equitable food systems. As a trustee of the South African Urban Food and Farming Trust, she brings a Pan-African perspective, deep expertise in grassroots innovation, and a passion for promoting urban farming as a driver of food security, justice, and economic resilience.
Miles Kubheka
Miles Kubheka is an entrepreneur, innovation strategist, and social impact leader whose work spans food systems, technology, fashion, and clean energy. As the founder of Wakanda Food Accelerator, Miles champions inclusive entrepreneurship in underserved communities, providing mentorship and market access to food and beverage innovators tackling systemic challenges like hunger and climate change. He is the creator of Gcwalisa, a retail solution bringing affordable, essential goods to low-income South African communities while fostering employment and training opportunities. Miles holds an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand. A former systems engineer at Microsoft and a consultant to global brands such as H&M, Miles combines technical expertise with a deep commitment to sustainable development and social equity. He also serves on the board of SA Harvest and is a passionate advocate for values-driven leadership, intrapreneurship, and inclusive growth.
Nonhlanhla Taylor
Nonhlanhla Taylor is a seasoned executive with over 14 years of progressive leadership experience in major corporates. Currently serving as CEO of OTMS, she has held diverse roles across logistics, compliance, health and safety, and risk management. Nonhlanhla holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and an MBA, alongside various industry certifications. Her career reflects a strong commitment to operational excellence, risk mitigation, and sustainable practices, with a proven ability to manage large-scale projects and budgets across multiple locations. A proactive and process-driven leader, she is passionate about contributing her extensive experience to initiatives that drive meaningful social impact. Known for her ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and foster collaborative partnerships, Nonhlanhla brings a strategic mindset and deep operational insight to her role as a trustee.
Sheryl Ozinsky
Sheryl Ozinsky is a social entrepreneur, urban sustainability advocate, and community builder renowned for her work in local food systems. She is the co-founder of the Oranjezicht City Farm and a co-owner and founder of the Oranjezicht City Farm Market. Her leadership at the OZCF Market has generated employment, empowered local farmers and artisans, and fostered deeper connections between urban residents and their food sources. With a background in tourism, brand development, and sustainability, Sheryl previously led Cape Town Tourism and has played a pivotal role in positioning the city as a global destination. Her work consistently bridges the gap between entrepreneurship and systemic change, fostering resilient communities. Sheryl has a BSc from the University of Cape Town and undertook postgraduate studies at the Sustainability Institute. She has served on numerous boards and initiatives focused on sustainability and community development.
Miles Gad
Miles Gad is the Chief Financial Officer at Old Mutual Wealth Trust Company with over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector. Miles has played a pivotal role in the establishment and development of finance operations within the company, particularly during its startup phase. His expertise spans financial management, reporting, consolidation, systems implementation, and the design and improvement of financial processes. He is a chartered accountant with a BCom and PGDip from the University of Cape Town, and a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
The SA Urban Food & Farming Trust is guided through a collaborative internal structure called the Root Team, drawing from across the diverse projects and skills of the organisation.
SA Urban Food & Farming Trust 