about us
About DMZ Academy
The Dexter and Matu Zama (DMZ) Agricultural Academy was formed in 2012 to train subsistence farmers.
With the assistance of the Outreach Programme by Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), food preservation skills were taught to the farmers. Some farmers were giving away vegetables or selling them at reduced prices to avoid them getting spoilt. Food preservation assisted the farmers in storing vegetables for longer periods after harvest.
Due to a prolonged drought, COVID-19, and lockdown in 2020, farmers’ activities were curtailed, as they were unable to continue with their agricultural activities. After COVID-19, many farmers had either passed on or were too frail to plant, as the majority were elderly and the younger generation was not interested in the project. The negative effects of lockdown motivated DMZ to initiate an arts and crafts project and also to establish eHlanzeni Resource Centre and a satellite center in Amandawe near Scottburgh.
our team
Founding member
Linda Zama
Linda is passionate about education, with particular emphasis on Early Childhood Education, good nutrition and safe spaces for children to develop and thrive. Linda continues to sustain various networks that nurture the work of DMZ. Linda’s main focus is ECD, an aspect of education that has been on the periphery of the education system for a long time. ECD is now being acknowledged that we can only get learning and education right at higher levels if we give children a firm foundation at ECD level, from zero to five years in their development. In 2012, her efforts to secure funding for food gardens was the spring board of DMZ as we know it today.
Chairperson
Slindile Mhlongo
Slindile is hard-working and enjoys community work and outreach. Her home is always filled with the excited voices of children, who are always buzzing with energy. She is known for her generosity and is always willing to lend a helping hand where necessary.
Secretary
Fikile Ntombela
Fikile is enthusiastic and enjoys seeing projects coming to fruition. She is well known for her networking and facilitation skills which bring the Academy and the community together.
Treasurer
Nto Ntuli
Nto is a specialist Educator for learners with special education needs. She is passionate about facilitating development programmes, assisting in keeping the Academy abreast of current trends in the NGO sector and legislation regarding advancement in the educational sphere.
Project Manager
Cynthia Mpati
Cynthia is a retired Director in the Department of Education and an experienced project manager. Her skills bring extensive knowledge of international trends in learning and development.