Our Board Members
The ESAFF Board is composed of dedicated small-scale farmer leaders elected from across Eastern and Southern Africa. With a deep commitment, the Board provides strategic leadership and oversight to the network bringing grassroots experience, regional insights and a shared passion for amplifying the voice of smallholder farmers in policy and development spaces. .
Ms. Diane Sibanda
Ms. Rachel Mathabathe
Mr. Brian Jere
Mr. Haja Rakotomandimby
Ms. Mamalefetsane Phakoe
Name Surname
What the board says
Our Board members are small-scale farmer leaders who bring the voices, experiences and aspirations of farmers from across Eastern and Southern Africa into ESAFF’s regional leadership. They share a common belief that farmers must be at the centre of decisions affecting agriculture, food systems and rural livelihoods. Here are some of the principles and aspirations that guide their leadership.
“Small-scale farmers are not just beneficiaries of agricultural development; we are leaders, innovators and solution providers. Our voices must shape the policies and investments that determine the future of African agriculture.”
Diane Sibanda
Chairperson“Agroecology puts farmers, local knowledge and nature at the centre of food production. By strengthening farmer-led solutions, we can build food systems that are productive, resilient and sustainable for future generations.”
Hakim Baliraine
Board Member“Every small-scale farmer deserves an opportunity to be heard. Our responsibility as farmer leaders is to carry the voices from our communities into the spaces where policies, programmes and investments are decided.”
Rachel Mathabathe
Board Member“Farmer organisations are strongest when they remain rooted in their communities. ESAFF enables us to connect those grassroots voices across borders and transform common farmer concerns into a powerful regional agenda.”
Delmah Ndhlovu
Board Member
