The Balu project reached a major milestone in July 2019 when its initial capital raising was fully subscribed, bringing the Mangwana Opportunities Fund on board as strategic shareholders.
Jeremy is a local boy who has come home and has driven the project on the ground since inception. A fourth generation Zimbabwean he grew up on a neighbouring cattle ranch and followed a career in Veterinary Medicine culminating a successful academic period in the USA where he was a tenured Professor of Veterinary Medicine - Equine Surgery. Using his practical abilities, professional critique and local knowledge he has established the project to date. A second phase of the Balu project will see a revival of his veterinary medical skills as he establishes a livestock breeding centre to enhance the genetic potential of local and national livestock
Mike is a Chartered Secretary a Holder of an MBA with extensive experience in managing Agro-Industry businesses. Currently executive director for the Surrey Group incorporating Kalimba Investments and other Surrey Group businesses with the role of Financial Director. Before joining the Surrey Group in 2012 Mike held several positions with CFI Holdings for 7 years. CFI Holdings was an agricultural conglomerate listed on theZimbabwe stock exchange. He was Financial Director for the Poultry Group at CFI Holdings for four years thereafter he was Managing Director for Crest Breeders and Glenara Estates for the remainder of his time there. Mike also worked for William Bain & Co Holdings which is a manufacturer and wholesaler of tractors andagricultural equipment for 10 years. He is married with 3 children and is a keen golfer during his spare time.
Mr. N. Ncube is an Economist and Executive whose working life spans over 37 years. He has served in different capacities and at senior level in both public and private sectors:
● Secretary for Finance and Economic Development
● Founding executive Director of Zimbabwe Investment Centre(ZIC)
● Interim Managing Director of National Oil Company of Zimbabwe ( NOCZIM)
● Deputy Governor- Reserve Bank Of Zimbabwe
● Businessman with interest in Tourism, Agriculture and Mining
● Currently serving in various Boards both as Executive and non-Executive Director.
Phillip is a fourth generation Zimbabwean with a strong background in pecan production. Phillip’s grandfather pioneered pecan nuts in Zimbabwe establishing the first commercial pecan orchard in 1969. The root stock fromthese orchards has become the backbone of the Zimbabwean nursery plantings. Phillip has extensive experience in the agro-industries with development of four individual concerns thus far. Prior to this Phillip spent much of his working life in the finance and banking sector. He joined the family agricultural business (M D de Chassart & Son P/L T/A Surrey) in February 2000 as Managing Director. Surrey is an integrated and leading player in Zimbabwe’s beef and poultry space. Phillip has business interests in mining and construction
Nathan Waller a Zimbabwean and a former professional cricketer representing Zimbabwe and played domestic and international club cricket in Zimbabwe, Ireland, and England. Following his cricket career, he transitioned into commercial farming and agricultural business in Zimbabwe, where he has built a strong reputation for practical farming leadership and enterprise development.
Ngaa is an investment executive with over 20 years of experience across African markets, specialising in alternative investments with deep expertise in private equity, agribusiness, commodities, infrastructure, and real estate investments. He currently serves as an Executive at Mangwana Capital and has previously held senior leadership roles at First Mutual Wealth, Nedbank Corporate & Investment Banking in South Africa, as well as an Africa-focused trade finance fund domiciled in Mauritius. Throughout his career, Ngaa has been involved in originating, structuring, and managing investments across multiple sectors and jurisdictions, with a strong focus on value creation and long-term growth opportunities across the African continent. He holds an MBA from Henley Business School (UK).
Our success is driven by experts on the ground who understand the unique requirements of Matabeleland North:
Josh is a local; and has years of hands-on farm management experience that belies his age. Josh’s skill sets are notable in his development abilities, plant and machinery R&M, general farm management. Josh has an important role as the Farm Manager to play to make sure all Balu’s operations run smoothly.
Mpumalelo is the accountant for Kalimba Investments, with a Commerce Honours degree in Finance and a Chartered Secretary (ICSAZ). He has an extensive knowledge in accounting and finance acquired over 15 years in the accounts departments of Treger Group – Kango, where he was the Cost and Management Accountant, as well as Ingewbu Breweries, Cold Storage Company and United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Ndodana was raised in Matabeleland South where he developed a passion for agriculture, which he pursued achieving a Bachelors in Agriculture. Since then, he has worked to develop agricultural programmes both in the commercial sector and rural communities for ARDA. Ndodana is employed by ARDA as the Regional Manager but is crucial to Kalimba Investments in guiding us with special reference to local authorities and community liaison roles as well as human resources.
Simba is managing the orchards at Valley Irrigation after some time at Balu Estate. Simba has a National Diploma in Horticulture and had commenced a BSc Agric before he became embroiled in farming; working for many years for ARDA on several estates around Zimbabwe. Simba provides excellent management skills on Valley in challenging and remote circumstances.
Ian is retained by Kalimba Investments in a consultant role. Ian has a vast experience of farm management in Africa especially sub-Saharan Africa. He is a soil scientist by training with an MBA providing very suitable skills to oversee the operations at Balu Estate as well as Valley Irrigation. Ian has consulted for Balu from the inception of our project.
Learn how Balu Estate operates as a Strategic Business Unit in partnership with ARDA to enhance Zimbabwe’s food security and economic growth.