Future is pro-nature

What if the way we perceive the world shapes both the crises we face and the solutions we can imagine? In this thought-provoking episode, host Angela Coetzee, director of Biodiversity Partners Program Southern Africa and programme lead Stefanie Swanepoel unpack how ecological worldviews—from deep ecology to eco-feminism—shape the way we design development pathways, create policies and conduct business. Together, they explore what it means to move towards a truly pro-nature future in Southern Africa

Biodiversity underpins every aspect of our existence, from the food we eat to the air we breathe.In this episode, Angela Coetzee and Stefanie Swanepoel delve into why biodiversity matters for livelihoods and wellbeing, and the dangers of ignoring its decline. They discuss the urgent shifts in mindset and policy needed to stop ecological collapse and secure a thriving future for all.

Hosted by Stefanie Swanepoel with special guest Professor Richie Moalosi from the University of Botswana, this episode explores the richness of Indigenous knowledge systems across Africa. From architecture and fashion to product design, these knowledge traditions offer sustainable, innovative solutions. The conversation also highlights threats to these systems and practical ways to respect, preserve and integrate them into modern life.

How do we make sense of interconnected crises like climate change, biodiversity loss and inequality? In this episode, Professor Rika Preiser from Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Sustainability Transitions joins Stefanie Swanepoel to unpack complexity and systems thinking. They explore how these approaches can help practitioners design interventions that work in the messy, interdependent realities of the 21st century.

Entrepreneurship is often framed in terms of profit and growth—but what does it look like when nature is at the centre? Angela Coetzee and Agnes Sibanda, entrepreneur and business coach, challenge myths of entrepreneurship and share lessons from pro-nature enterprises. They discuss the unique hurdles green entrepreneurs face and provide practical tips for building ventures that thrive while protecting biodiversity.

How can businesses create solutions that respond to the real needs of people and ecosystems? In this episode, Angela Coetzee and Keneilwe Munyai, programme coordinator for the Biodiversity Partners Program, discuss how human-centred design can transform business models. They highlight how this approach sparks innovation and ensures that biodiversity-friendly enterprises deliver contextual, lasting impact.

What does it mean to truly reconnect with nature—and why does it matter for the future of leadership? Dr Makgati Mokwena, arts therapist and leadership educator, joins Stefanie Swanepoel to explore ecological leadership. Together, they discuss Indigenous wisdom, practical ways to deepen our relationship with the natural world and why leading for biodiversity means seeing ourselves as part of, not apart from, nature.