Our Team
Johan Stewart
Chief Executive
Imagine an existence where durable and eco-friendly products are readily available, renewable energy that doesn’t harm the ecosystem, and cleaner air. That, my friends, could be a reality! Hemp plants can literally revolutionise our way of life significantly, all while reducing our massive carbon footprint along the way.
My entrepreneurial journey began with a deep-seated passion for sustainable agriculture and a vision to create a greener future. I have always been fascinated by the potential of hemp as a versatile and eco-friendly crop.
Its ability to produce high-quality products while simultaneously benefiting the environment is nothing short of remarkable. This fascination led our team to extensive research and exploration into the various applications of hemp, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Our research discovered the immense benefits of using hemp for various applications.
Our mission is to harness the power of hemp to create innovative and sustainable solutions for the agricultural industry in Southern Africa. By producing hemp, we aim to support local farmers, improve animal welfare, and contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendlier agricultural ecosystem.
Zakhele G Mthethwa
Systems and Cultural Associate
Prince Zakhele Mthethwa is the founder and chief enabler of Inceku Yenkosi, Inceku Yenkosi is a Nguni word meaning ‘’Steward of a King’’. Currently the Economic Advisor of King Makhosoke II, the King of Amandebele as a whole.
He is a University of JHB graduate in NDIP chemical engineering, with 15 years of experience in water treatment and sales in both the UK and RSA.
He is an ardent lobbyist for rural and township economic development through business collaboration to enable economic activation in places and communities that are currently excluded from the mainstream economy of South Africa.
Josh Schneider
Industrial Hemp Development Associate
Cian Keith McClelland
Managing Director
Cian is the CEO of Druids Holdings, a leading health & wellness group of companies that includes Druids Garden and Druids Extracts. Druids Garden was awarded a research permit to develop cannabis medicines for the local market in 2019 and Druids Holdings a medical cannabis license from SAHPRA in 2021. Cian has had a lifelong passion for Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and African Traditional Medicine. He has trained with numerous IKS leaders since 1991 and is a registered Traditional Doctor. He received a Diploma in Medicinal Cannabis & CBD Oil from COE in Scotland in 2019.
He continues to work with local role players and through Druids Garden is working with the CSIR, provincial government structures and Departments like DALRRD. Cian is a specialist in the complicated and highly regulated new environment and with his Druids team is well-positioned to be pivotal in understanding the challenges faced in the industry. The team resources place Druids Garden firmly as a pivotal company for the rollout of a new framework for the legal cannabis industry.
Eunice Lynch-Khoza
Director -Rural Farmer Projects
Eunice Lynch-Khoza has over 20 years of experience in the agribusiness sector. Eunice has a proven track record in supply chain management and strategic planning, which will be invaluable in ensuring the efficient production and distribution of our high-quality products.
Josh Schneider studied horticulture and business at the University of Illinois. In 2001 he began a job at a large ornamental young plant nursery in San Diego. While there he developed an international network of more than 75 independent plant breeders and assisted them in germplasm acquisition, breeding program development, tissue culture, clean stock development, patent and trademark applications, comprehensive trial programs, and global distribution.
In 2007 Josh founded Cultivaris North America with two partners as a product and idea development consultancy.
In 2019 Josh founded Cultivaris Hemp to supply high-quality hemp young plants to farmers around the US. As a thought leader in hemp policy and regulatory structure, Josh has been closely involved in advocacy, education and policy development for the emerging US hemp industry. Recently Josh led the development of the NIHC’s policy framework for a new federal hemp licensing structure that has been incorporated into both the US House and Senate Farm Bill drafts for regulating US hemp cultivation. Josh serves as a policy and trade advisor to the National Industrial Hemp Council of America and as Board Chair of the Association of Western Hemp Professionals.