The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.
– Carl Rogers
Who we are
Plant the Seed Education (“Plant the Seed”) is a social enterprise based in Cape Town, South Africa. We are a collective of sustainability professionals committed to education that supports greater agency, critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, creativity and citizenship in learners. The purpose of Plant the Seed Education is to empower teachers to build a new generation of youth who are conscious, courageous, and connected.
We provide an educational interface between the traditional school system and the adult world, offering youth an opportunity to see and experience the world through a lens that is focused on holistic, contextualised, real-world experiences of equality, sustainability, innovation and forward thinking.
Our Vision
Youth who are equipped to engage with an uncertain world and can influence society and business to be more Sustainable
Our mission
To facilitate a movement of youth who are CONSCIOUS, CONNECTED and COURAGEOUS custodians of the future world
Our Objectives
Support
To support society’s drive towards a low-carbon, climate resilient economy by educating youth in schools to become:
- Conscious of the world around them and the role humanity plays
- Critical thinkers
- Empathetic
- Courageous leaders
- Solution-driven
Engage
To increase the capacity of youth to engage in sustainable business and influence society’s decisions.
Equip
To prepare and equip the youth for decision-making.
Enrich
To enrich the education process by providing much needed content and context to the real (adult) world.
The Team
We work with an incredibly diverse, well educated, inspiring, active, and open-minded group of human beings. Each add their unique touch and insight to our workshops, and have each in their own way contributed to the building of Plant the Seed Education.
Mattieu Theron
Cofounder & Managing Director
Hi I’m Mattieu. Born and bred in the deep south of Cape Town, in the beautiful community of Kommetjie. I am a young, driven, friendly, hardworking, and positive individual. Passionate about people, life, the outdoors, constant learning, and seeing ‘the bigger picture’, this in combination with a background in economic development, has lead me to see and understand that education is the key to moving forward to a more inclusive, sustainable and positive future. I am finishing off my Master’s degree in Economic development – my thesis will focus on racial desegregation in South African schools post 1994.
Jordan Calder
Education Facilitator
Hi, my name is Jordan Calder and although I was born in Johannesburg, I am as Capetonian as they come. I have always been fascinated in the natural world and passionate about preserving biodiversity. After completing my masters in conservation biology, I lived in Kruger National Park where I taught ecology and conservation to university students. Since then, I have been involved in making wildlife films which has meant a lot of travelling around our beautiful country. I am now embarking on the exciting adventure of a PhD focussing on southern African vulture conservation. While my focus is conservation, my interests are broad and I am passionate about alternative education and instilling an appreciation for nature in our future leaders.
Alisa Volkman
Education Facilitator
Hi there, my name is Alisa Volkmann. I was born in South Africa, but raised in the beautiful coastal town of Swakopmund in Namibia. Having travelled and gone camping in Southern Africa while growing up I have naturally developed a deep love and appreciation for nature. I also have a healthy obsession with kelp forests.
I did my undergrad in Conservation Ecology and then a honours in Sustainable Development at Stellenbosch University. I am currently studying Education at UCT. I am passionate about Environmental Education, Re-naturing urban spaces (especially schools), Biomimicry, Marine Conservation and Art in all its wonderful forms.
My current personal quote is: “To be inspired and to inspire!”
Thomas Chevallier
Cofounder & Director
My name is Thomas Chevallier – I grew up in Hout Bay (Cape Town) and studied sustainable Development at Stellenbosch University. I am a Social & Environmental entrepreneur, passionate about developing a sustainable future through education (Plant the Seed) and collaboration (Sustainable Brothers and Sisters).
Matthew Rightford
Education Facilitator
Hi, my name’s Matthew. I’m currently putting my B.BusSci (Marketing) Honours to use at a digital design agency called Gloo@Ogilvy as a Strategist + Data Analyst. In my spare time I work on my solo music project, co-run an artist bookings agency called naas and contribute to an online music magazine called Platform…and then there’s friends and good times of course. I’m immensely excited to be involved in Plant The Seed and cannot wait to see its importance to the young minds of this country become more and more recognised as it grows.
Jason Fairhurst
Education Facilitator
“Let your actions speak louder than your words”. Hi I’m Jason, born and raised in the Western Cape, living between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. I have always wanted to make a positive impact in our world, specifically our natural world. This passion, in conjunction with my inherent need to create, lead me to complete my Mechanical Engineering Masters degree Cum Laude in Renewable Energy in 2015. In addition to my studies I have been a member of numerous progressive organisations. I am an enthusiastic, creative, dedicated, and positive change driver and hope to help guide our youth to becoming conscious consumers and change drivers themselves.
Gabriel Wolfaardt
Education Facilitator
Hello there, my name is Gabriel. I am a South African who happens to have a Canadian accent. I have a background in the natural sciences and have worked in both the private and public sector. I am currently doing my Masters in Sustainable Development which explores how the private sector and municipalities can collaborate with communities to provide quality essential services. I am passionate about philosophy, science, people, music and sport.
Magwale ‘Lezerine’ Mashaba
Education Facilitator
My Name is Lezerine Makgwale Mashaba. I was born in Limpopo Province and moved to Cape Town in 2007 to explore my career and continue with my passion for people development. I am an Accredited Facilitator and Project Coordinator for a National Youth Movement called Activate Change Drivers aiming at Driving Change for a better South Africa . I am passionate about transformation and Justice.
“Umuntu ngu’Muntu nga Bantu” – African Proverb
Robyn Bowden
Education Facilitator
Hi, my name is Robyn Bowden. Though I grew up in Cape Town, I have spent a couple of years exploring other parts of this beautiful world. I am currently doing my Masters in Sustainable Development in Stellenbosch. I am passionate about equality in the food system and the power of indigenous knowledge to bring about sustainable change. One of my favourite quotes is “The best things in life, aren’t things” – Art Buchwald
Daniel Shaw
Education Facilitator
Hi I’m Daniel Shaw. I have been a part of a number of groundbreaking businesses aiming to disrupt the status quo through The Sharing Economy, Crowd-Funding and Online Education. After gaining my Honours degree in Industrial Psychology from Stellenbosch University I applied my career to fundamentally changing the way our economy, society and environment are structured towards maximum mutual flourishing. An acting Executive Committee member of Plant The Seed, Daniel is working on Business Strategy and Client Development.
Reshmi Muringathuparambil
Education Facilitator & Social Media Queen
Hi! I’m Reshmi. I was born in India but grew up in the Eastern Cape. I studied Architecture in Pretoria, and then came to play in lovely Cape Town. I’ve worked here a little, but currently I am busy with my master’s thesis developing typologies of township buildings according to their energy profiles. I definitely think that education is a powerful tool, and am excited about the possibilities of engaging with keen students to make a difference.
Partners
