Candid Sustainability Podcast

Most of us have overlooked the humble grain that could be a climate hero sorghum, or mabele, as many Africans have known it for millennia. But what if this ancient, resilient crop is the key to food security in a warming world? In this episode, Zandile Queen Finxa, an award-winning food scientist and founder of the Sorghum Agenda, reveals the powerful science, culture, and sustainability potential...

Unlock the secret to harnessing nature’s most misunderstood creatures — bees — and discover how they can transform your community, your environment, and your future. Emmanuel Moledi, a passionate beekeeper, reveals the surprising truths about African honeybees and how misconceptions have held back a vital ecological and economic opportunity. This episode is a wake-up call for farmers, educators, a...

Unlock the secret life of bees and discover how sustainable beekeeping is transforming food security, climate resilience, and livelihoods in Africa. When most of us think of beekeeping, we picture a guy in a suit harvesting honey; but behind the scenes, it's a delicate balance of ecology, innovation, and strategy that supports our entire food system. If you're passionate about sustainabl...

Most of us have never stopped to think about the tiny spaza shops in South Africa’s townships hidden engines of resilience that tell a much bigger story about survival, injustice, and the future of local economies. These small, often overlooked businesses survived apartheid’s bans, carried communities through economic hardships, and now face an existential threat from corporate retail giants and g...

South Africa’s paradox is staggering: a country with world-class solar and wind resources still grappling with 12 hours of daily load shedding and a coal dependency that’s over 80%. The disconnect between enormous clean energy potential and the reliance on coal for jobs and livelihoods exemplifies the complex reality of just energy transition. Are promises of a greener future just rhetoric, or can...

In this episode of the Candid Sustainability Podcast, host Kabelo Rathobei engages in a conversation with Abdilahi Nuh, an engineer and founder of Presto Innovations. They explore the intricacies of carbon markets, focusing on Africa's pivotal role. Abdilahi discusses his work in carbon removal through biochar, a method that transforms invasive species into carbon-rich material to restore ari...

In this episode, Kabelo Rathobei interviews Comfort Apeh Francis, an environmentalist and climate innovator from Nigeria, about building a career in sustainability, the challenges faced, and her innovative tools like the Sustainability Career Pathfinder. They explore diverse career paths in sustainability, the importance of African voices in global climate discussions, and practical advice for new...

Can a building be both green and safe? In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into the overlooked tensions between sustainability and fire safety. Joined by fire safety engineer and lecturer Rhoda, we unpack how eco-friendly building materials—like wood—offer climate-conscious benefits but introduce new fire risks. From concrete’s carbon footprint to the vulnerabilities of informal settlements...

What happens when cutting-edge AI meets traditional waste management? Prepare to have your perspective transformed as sustainability innovator Gift Lubele takes us behind the scenes of South Africa's hidden recycling economy. Did you know that 80-90% of all South African post-consumer packaging passes through the hands of approximately 90,000 to 200,000 informal waste pickers? These unsung en...

In this conversation, Kabelo explores the deep-rooted cultural practices that have long embodied sustainability, often without the formal recognition of the term. She reflects on her upbringing in South Africa, where resourcefulness and eco-conscious behaviours were a way of life, not a trend. As she navigates the professional sustainability landscape in Europe, she recognises the disconnect betwe...

In this episode, Kabelo discusses the emotional complexities surrounding sustainability, particularly focusing on the concepts of green guilt and eco anxiety. Through personal anecdotes and cultural reflections, she explores the challenges of maintaining sustainable practices in daily life while navigating societal expectations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of progress over perfectio...

This introduction episode gives a glimpse into what to expect with this podcast. Candid Sustainability is a podcast that explores the complexities and challenges of living sustainably in a real-world context. Hosted by Kabelo, a corporate sustainability PhD researcher, the podcast emphasises the importance of honest conversations about sustainability, acknowledging the messy and imperfect nature o...