about us

Who we are

The Lynette & Peter Zwane Foundation (trading as Umkhulu weHemp –“The Grandfather of Hemp”) is a South African non‑profit organisation dedicated to bringing innovative, culturally rooted solutions to rural and disadvantaged

communities. We identify high‑impact gateways – starting with the cannabis and hemp industry – and build scalable training, data, and market access platforms.

In 2022, we achieved a continental first: we translated our entire AgriSETA‑accredited cannabis cultivation curriculum into isiZulu, breaking down the language barrier that had excluded rural communities from the growing hemp economy. This is not just a translation – it is a data‑driven innovation, born from listening to our communities and acting on what we learned.

We don’t just train. We track, certify, and connect participants to markets – using a proprietary longitudinal database that proves impact and unlocks premium offtake.

Our Mission

At the Lynette and Peter Zwane Foundation, our mission is to empower Black rural and indigenous farmers through accessible, high-quality agricultural education in hemp and medicinal cannabis cultivation. As an AgriSETA-accredited non-profit organisation, we are committed to dismantling barriers to entry by delivering NQF Level 4 training that is inclusive, practical, and rooted in real-world application.

We are proud pioneers in South Africa—being the first organisation to develop and author hemp cultivation training materials in isiZulu. This ensures that knowledge is not only accessible, but also culturally relevant, locally grounded, and truly understood by the communities we serve.

Through a blended learning approach that combines in-person training with digital access, we equip farmers with the technical skills, business acumen, and confidence to participate meaningfully in the evolving agricultural economy—regardless of geographic or financial limitations.

Beyond training, we remain committed to the full journey of our graduates. We provide ongoing support, including guidance on regulatory processes such as hemp permit applications through DALRRD, ensuring that our farmers are not only trained—but positioned for success.

We do not simply train farmers—we cultivate futures, unlock economic independence, and build resilient, sustainable farming communities for generations to come.

Our Vission

We envision a future where Black rural farmers—both men and women—are active economic participants in the Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis sector, empowered with the skills, knowledge, and resources to thrive as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Our goal is to bridge the gap between training and economic opportunity by not only equipping farmers with cultivation expertise but also opening trade relations and securing off-take agreements that ensure their harvests contribute meaningfully to the market.

Through strategic partnerships and sustainable agricultural practices, we are committed to building a thriving, inclusive industry where Black rural growers own their role in the value chain, generate wealth within their communities, and drive innovation in the sector.

Our Core Values

The Lynette and Peter Zwane Foundation is inspired by the Biblical teachings of the Word of God about the Spirit of being our brothers keepers, love ,care, humility, being an inspiration to others reaching out to the less fortunate, the frail  unity; and that no man can stand alone. Understanding that no man can achieve all alone, we need one another as social beings and we are always part of the collective. The Foundation believes that each one of us has a role to play in ensuring that community development is our collective responsibility not only the state.

The Lynette and Peter Zwane Foundation further subscribes to the following beliefs:

  • Ensuring that we invite everyone to support, embrace and strive for the mark of excellence in all that we do.
  • To work as a team and as an effective partners to promote quality service delivery.

The African fundamentals which include the belief that (umuntu ngabantu) and Letsema will characterise the philosophical conviction that collective effort towards a shared vision will inspire every employee in the performance of every day duties. Being patient and receptive and available to others. Affirming others without feeling threatened. Recognising that we achieve our individual selves by sharing ourselves with others. We are part of a greater whole, we are not an Island.

  • Taking conscious steps to share relevant information to a relevant level when there is a need to do so.
  • Ensuring that all employees, stakeholders, partners are informed and are treated in a manner that is just and fair.
  • Being forthright with information when there is a need for things to be done, or to be known and information to be shared.
  • To form strategic partnership with all relevant stakeholders within the private sector and the public sector to empower the young people and the broader communities. The Public entities that we plan to work with are but not limited to the following:
  • The Presidency.
  • Social Development.
  • The Department of Higher Education and Training.
  • The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
  • The Department of Land Affairs.
  • The Department of Environmental Affairs.
  • The Department Arts, Culture Sports and Recreation.
  • The Department of Cogta.
  • The Private and the Business sector will be through CSI programme.
  • Sister foundations that share the common vision with Lynette and Peter Zwane Foundation.                                         
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1. Chairperson:  Mrs. L.L. Zwane

Qualifications: BA, BED, UED Unizul, Post Grd. Dip. in Public Admin. And Management Wits.

2. Dr. T.M.Mthethwa.

Qualifications: SSTD, BPED, BED in Science Hons. Unizul, MSc and PhD. Wits Univ., LLB ( Curr )

3. Mr. T.P. Zwane

Qualifications: Dip. Agric. Cwaka Agricultural College, Soils Classification Certificate Cedara Agricultural College, Dip. Agric. Extension and Rural Development Univ. of Fort Hare.

4. Mr. M.P. Kunene

Qualifications: Bcom. Accounting Univ. of Natal, Bcom Horns. Accounting Univ. of KZN, Certificate in the Theory of Accounting Univ. of KZN., Part1 SAICA  (Qualifying exam and Public Practice Exam ) Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors )

5. Mr. S.S. Zwane

Qualifications: Self Employed entrepreneur and undergrad in Logistics UJ.

6 .Mrs. M.M. Mthembu

Qualifications: Msc. Project Management Univ. of Pretoria, Management Advance Programme SAPAIA, Leadership in Oil and Energy Wits Bus. School, BSc Hons, Applied Science ( chemical ) Univ. of Pretoria, Bachelor of Technology ( water care ) Pretoria Technicon, 

7. Dr. N. Bhengu

Qualifications: Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery Walter Sisulu University.

 

Exofficio Members

Chaplaincy of the foundation :

Doctor Khalala  

Mrs. Rev. N. Msimang