John Nzira is a veteran agroecologists, permaculture specialist, and community development leader with over 30 years of experience in sustainable agriculture and environmental education across 2 Southern Africa. He is the founder and director of Ukuvuna Urban Farming, a South African-based non-profit organization established in 2005 to promote climate-resilient livelihoods through permaculture, indigenous knowledge, and biodiversity restoration. Nzira has been instrumental in integrating permaculture principles into poverty alleviation programs, tailoring them for practical application in Southern African contexts.

Nzira’s academic background includes studies at Wits University and Rhodes University in South Africa, complemented by training in ecological agriculture and environmental education. He has authored several influential publications, including the FAO-endorsed manual Growing Health, which guides the establishment of sustainable food and medicinal herb gardens in Southern Africa. As co-founder of Future Seed, Nzira continues to lead permaculture training programs aimed at empowering disadvantaged communities. His extensive experience and commitment to sustainable development make him a valuable resource to SKI.