Global Expertise, Locally Rooted.

Vuna Agribusiness is led by a core management team based in Hillcrest, South Africa, supported by an extensive network of technical specialists across Sub-Saharan Africa. We don't just provide general advice; we assemble bespoke teams of agro-economists, data scientists, and social performance experts tailored to the unique risks of every project.

Core Leadership

Justin du Toit | Founder & Lead Agro-Economist MSc Agriculture (Agribusiness)

  • Strategic Focus: Justin specializes in capital budgeting, financial modeling, and the "bankability" of complex agricultural and sustainable development projects.

  • Value Addition: Since 2009, he has led initiatives for the World Bank Group, the European Union, and AGRA, bridging the gap between technical feasibility and investment-ready financial strategy.

  • Expertise: Cost-benefit analysis, value chain mapping, and de-risking investments in the public, mining, and agricultural sectors.

Gayle Hancox | Project Management Lead B Agricultural Management, PMP

  • Strategic Focus: A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with extensive experience navigating complex project landscapes across Tanzania, DRC, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.

    Value Addition: Gayle has been instrumental in delivering high-impact projects for major infrastructure developments like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), ensuring timelines are met and resources are optimised.

    Expertise: Large-scale project coordination, sustainable practices implementation, and stakeholder relationship management.

Sizo Nongcula | Junior Agricultural Economist BSc Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)

  • Strategic Focus: Sizo specializes in extracting meaningful insights from complex datasets to support informed strategic planning and decision-making.

  • Value Addition: She provides critical expertise in data management, verification, and analysis, focusing on the promotion of sustainable practices that enhance farmer livelihoods.

    Expertise: Data analysis, reporting, and community development initiatives.

Bronwyn Hall | Project Administration & HR Support B.Com Human Resource Management

  • Strategic Focus: Bronwyn oversees the organizational infrastructure and project administration that ensures Vuna’s operations run with precision and efficiency.

    Value Addition: With a background in HR and project coordination, she fosters the collaborative work environment and proactive workplace culture necessary to deliver multi-stakeholder results.

    Expertise: Team coordination, timeline management, and administrative process optimisation.

Strategic Partners & Specialist Network

We believe in the power of collaborative ecosystems. For large-scale national and regional initiatives, we work alongside leading institutional partners to deliver transformative results.

  • Collaborative Partnership: ITEED Development Vuna maintains a strong technical partnership with ITEED, led by Dr. Alain Onibon. Together, we have contributed to multi-country flagship programs and business case analyses for regional bodies and development organizations like GIZ and AGRA.

  • The Vuna Specialist Network Our strength lies in our ability to mobilize local experts who understand the nuances of the landscape. Our network includes:

    • Data Management Specialists: Such as Dr Michelle Browne, a specialist in setting and implementing data management and MEL systems.

    • Agronomy Experts: Such as Dr. Jon Rutherfoord (PhD), a specialist in small-scale farmer development and irrigation schemes.

    • Spatial & Soil Scientists: Including experts like Keith Snyman (MSc), specialising in spatial agroecosystem assessments and land potential.

    • Agri-Finance Specialists: Such as Glantine Mashile, who leverages over a decade of experience in agricultural finance to help farmers access capital and growth opportunities.