Zandile Moruthanyane

Responsibilities:

• Supervised students participating in work-integrated learning programs.
• Managed and oversaw UJ food gardens, including Hydroponic and Aquaponics farming projects.
• Led implementation of multidisciplinary project involving agriculture, entrepreneurship, water, and energy.
• Executed establishment of food gardens and ensured their successful implementation.
• Conducted Monitoring and Evaluation activities for food garden projects.
• Recorded research activities pertinent to projects.
• Provided advisory services, offering information and recommendations on crop management, hydroponics, and aquaponics farming.
• Coordinated activities by liaising with various departments within university and external stakeholders to foster collaboration and efficient communication.
• Conducted training sessions and raised awareness about food security and agroecology farming practices.
• Oversaw research projects focused on school food gardens with teams of up to 6 p members and budgets of R500k or more

Responsibilities:

• Designed and planned training programs, incorporating organized activities for trainees.
• Enhanced course content with visual aids to ensure engagement, particularly addressing language barriers.
• Coordinated and scheduled training classes for optimal efficiency.
• Managed and executed activities pertaining to training, human resources, and budgeting.
• Facilitated dynamic training program by overseeing schedule management, materials selection, and participant follow-ups.
• Conducted pre-screening and selection processes for participants.
• Provided hands-on practical training in seed propagation, vegetable and fruit planting, and imparted basic knowledge of agricultural crop production.
• Supported students and individuals with social issues, liaising between participants, families, and program executives about needs.
• Documented class attendance and participation and provided feedback to management.

Responsibilities:

• Planned and coordinated activities for food garden projects, ensuring smooth execution.
• Corresponded with clients and addressed inquiries related to the project.
• Generated meeting minutes and comprehensive reports to document project progress.
• Monitored and evaluated the development of garden projects to assess their effectiveness.
• Identified challenges and risks, implementing tactical solutions for project success.
• Collaborated closely with upper management to plan projects and prepare relevant documents.
• Oversaw project scope, budget, and departmental requirements.
• Established food gardens at the community and household levels by working with different communities.
• Reported project developments to stakeholders.
• Developed presentations for management, covering progress, issues, modifications, and achievements.
• Cultivated professional relationships with customers, contractors, and vendors to establish rapport.
• Decreased project completion times by efficiently prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities to team members.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams to achieve seamless collaboration in achieving project objectives.
• Identified potential risks and developed mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions to project timelines.

• Executed essential farming tasks such as bed preparation, seedling propagation, transplanting of vegetables and herbs and managing weed, pests, and diseases.
• Enhanced intern productivity by assisting with project coordination and providing ongoing support.
• Sorted and organized files, spreadsheets, and reports.
• Educated both local and international visitors on principles of organic farming and permaculture.
• Offered suggestions to management for enhancing customer service and refining internal processes.
• Established and nurtured professional relationships with internal employees and customers.
• Supported staff members in their daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments