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About Us
SEAD1 is a leading environmental and agricultural consulting and supplies business offering capacity-building services. Our company provides a comprehensive range of services, including environmental consulting, agricultural supplies, and capacity building. We take pride in our commitment to environmental and agricultural sustainability, and our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional solutions tailored to the unique needs of our clients.
SEAD1 Mission
At SEAD1 (Sankofa Environmental and Agricultural Development), our mission is to empower African communities by promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic development. We are dedicated to fostering resilience through innovative research, education, and sustainable practices that enhance food security, protect natural resources, and improve livelihoods.
SEAD1 Vision
Our vision is to lead the transformation of Africa’s agricultural and environmental landscapes, creating a future where sustainable development drives prosperity and ecological balance. We envision a continent where communities thrive through responsible land use, climate resilience, and innovative solutions that support both people and the planet.
Our Values
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Sustainability: Committed to practices that ensure environmental and social longevity.
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Innovation: Embracing forward-thinking approaches to tackle agriculture and environmental management challenges.
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Collaboration: Building strong partnerships with communities, organisations, and governments to achieve shared development goals.
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Empowerment: Equipping individuals and communities with the tools and knowledge to take charge of their own sustainable development.
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Integrity: Upholding transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in everything we do.
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Resilience: Focusing on solutions that build the capacity of communities and ecosystems to adapt to environmental and economic changes.
OUR TEAM
DR HARRY SWATSON
Managing Director and Founder SEAD1 (Pty) Ltd
As the Founder and Managing Director of SEAD1, Dr. Swatson brings a wealth of experience and strategic management expertise in agricultural sciences, environmental consulting, and entrepreneurship. With a PhD in Agriculture and affiliations with several prestigious professional, governmental, and non-governmental organizations, he has led numerous initiatives focused on food security, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development. His strategic capabilities encompass stakeholder management and empowerment, financial management, change management, knowledge management, service delivery, and innovation. Dr. Swatson’s leadership has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and various Department of Agriculture projects, with a strong emphasis on community empowerment through training, capacity building, and resource management, ensuring sustainable impact at the grassroots level.
MS THULI GOBHOZI
Agricultural Extension and Capacity Building Consultant
Ms. Thulisile Gobhozi is a seasoned Agricultural Extension and Capacity Building consultant with over 16 years of extensive experience across the entire agricultural value chain. She collaborates with Sankofa Environmental and Agricultural Development (Ltd) on numerous agricultural and food security initiatives, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her projects. Holding a postgraduate qualification in Agriculture Management, Ms. Gobhozi has made significant contributions to agriculture, food security, and climate change programs within various organizations. Her impressive career includes key roles with the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Non-Governmental Organizations, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). As the Provincial Project Coordinator, she led the capacity-building project for emerging farmers and professionals in South Africa (GCP/RAF/412/SAF). Additionally, she played a vital role in FAO’s strategic events in South Africa, including COP17 UNFCCC, the World Forestry Congress XIV, and the Regional Aquatic Biosecurity Strategy Workshop.​
Ms. Gobhozi is also an active member of the World Poultry Science Association-African Poultry Network (WPSA-APN) and plays an instrumental role in organizing the upcoming 3rd Pan African Poultry Conference in 2025 at the Future Africa University of Pretoria, South Africa. Her dedication to agricultural development and food security continues to drive meaningful and lasting impact in the sector.
DR KOFI QUARTEY
Project Manager
Dr. K. Quartey is a highly accomplished environmental management and geoinformatics expert with over 12 years of experience delivering sustainable development projects across Africa. As the Founder and CEO of Green Angel Innovations 88 Pty Ltd, he leads transformative initiatives focused on environmental conservation, agriculture, and urban regeneration. His work aims to create self-sustaining communities aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), successfully implementing green, brown, and blue infrastructure projects.
Dr. Quartey also serves as a Project Manager at SEAD1, driving critical environmental and agricultural initiatives that promote socio-economic development in both rural and urban areas. In his role as a board member and consultant with *NDG Africa*, he advises on biodiversity protection, ecosystem management, and sustainable development policies. Currently, he is leading a key African Forest Landscape Restoration Project with NEPAD, where he oversees the collection and collation of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) data across Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. His contributions to this project support global restoration efforts and promote sustainable land-use practices in Africa.
Dr. Quartey’s extensive experience and interdisciplinary theoretical background in geospatial data analysis, environmental policy, and project management positions him as a leading voice in advancing socio-ecological research and sustainable development.
DR LESEDI MASELA
Agricultural Economist
Dr. lesedi Masela is a distinguished Agricultural Economist at SEAD1, known for her profound expertise in agricultural systems, food security, and rural development. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Tshwane University of Technology, complemented by a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of South Africa and University of Limpopo. With a strong academic background and extensive field experience, She has made significant contributions to the agricultural sector in Africa. Her research centers on addressing production and marketing constraints that impact smallholder farmers, with a focus on increasing farm entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. Masela has a deep understanding of the socio-economic factors influencing household welfare and food security, enabling her to craft evidence-based solutions that improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Dr. Masela has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, offering insights on topics such as market access, agricultural sustainability, and the economics of food systems. At SEAD1, Dr. Masela continues to lead strategic projects that bridge the gap between agricultural policy and on-the-ground implementation, ensuring that development initiatives are effective and aligned with the needs of farmers. Her dedication to creating resilient food systems and empowering communities makes her a key figure in advancing agricultural economics across Africa.
MR SABELO GUMEDE
IT Support Manager
Sabelo Gumede is an accomplished Information Technology (IT) Specialist with 4 years of experience, currently serving as the IT Lead at SEAD1, where he ensures that the organization’s technological infrastructure supports its environmental and agricultural development projects. With a Diploma in Information and Communication Technology (App Development) and an Advanced Diploma in IT from Durban University of Technology (DUT), Sabelo has a solid technical foundation that enables him to manage complex IT systems effectively. At SEAD1, Sabelo plays a pivotal role in maintaining secure, efficient IT systems that streamline data collection and analysis for agricultural and environmental initiatives. His expertise in troubleshooting, system configuration, and network management has enhanced SEAD1’s operational efficiency, ensuring that its digital platforms run smoothly. He has contributed significantly to improving workflow efficiency by providing timely technical support and integrating IT solutions that enhance project delivery. His technical skill set includes programming languages such as C#, Python, PHP, JavaScript, and SQL, as well as proficiency in database systems like Oracle and Microsoft Access. His role at SEAD1 also involves maintaining data integrity and ensuring the security of sensitive project data, aligning IT operations with the organization’s sustainability goals.
Ms Phophi Freda Seanego
Agronomist/Sustainable Farming Specialist
Ms Phophi Freda Seanego is an accomplished Consultant Agronomist with a deep expertise in agricultural development strategies, crop production, and farm management. With extensive experience across multiple sectors, she currently serves as a Consultant Agronomist at SEAD1 where she advises on the optimal use of agricultural land and spearheads agripreneurship programs. Throughout her career, Phophi has collaborated with various clients to develop project plans that align with business objectives, offering strategic and technical expertise on agricultural projects. She plays an active role in operational planning, quality assurance, and program management, consistently driving performance and delivering impactful results. Her research contributions have been recognized through multiple co-authored publications, including studies on the metabolomic analysis of plants with antiviral activity and the propagation methodologies for species with cosmeceutical applications. Ms Phophi holds a BTech in Agricultural Management and a BSc in Agricultural Science (Cum Laude) from the University of South Africa, specializing in plant and animal production. Her diverse skill set, which includes project management, data analysis, curriculum development, and strategic reporting, makes her a key player in driving sustainable agricultural practices and supporting small-scale farmers across South Africa. Her dedication to advancing agricultural development and her ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable projects continue to make her invaluable to SEAD1.
Mr Bhekisisa Andreas Nxumalo is a driven and innovative Agricultural Scientist. At SEAD1 he is responsible for all project related to Agricultural Biotechnology and Horticultural Engineering. Holding an MSc in Agricultural Plant Biotechnology from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences and an Honours Degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management (Cum Laude) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Bhekisisa has demonstrated academic excellence and a passion for agricultural innovation. Bhekisisa has extensive experience in plant biotechnology research, specializing in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, plant tissue culture, and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. His work has included developing protocols for genetic transformation in potatoes, constructing CRISPR vectors, and optimizing tissue culture conditions to enhance plant regeneration. As a researcher at the Agricultural Institute Centre for Agricultural Research, Bhekisisa contributed to cutting-edge agricultural science with a focus on sustainable solutions. In addition he has practical field experience in horticultural engineering at Borostyan Faiskola in Hungary, where he executed advanced plant propagation techniques, installed irrigation systems, and managed plant nurseries. He has experience in managing timber harvesting operations and making use of drone technology for field inspections.