When Africa Thrives, the World Eats

Sometimes I sit and think about what it really means to plant a seed, metaphorically speaking and literally. When we embarked on this journey, it was just William and I.

Short long story, quick:

I met William at a clothing shop in Durban that was owned by a friend of mine. It was appropriately named “Mind over Matter” — a serendipitous title to a song I was wrote as a fledging youth with high ideals (don’t laugh).

William was carrying a small vase with some edible flowers and I struck up a light conversation with him about growing one’s own food. He happened to be running a small prototype garage of microgreens upstairs to which I was oblivious.

When William left the clothing shop, I felt thouroughly schooled on the art of growing and appreciating food. I continued talking to my friend afterwards and we had lunch and of course left with a few threaded garments that I cherish till this day.

That was 2017. Fast forward 2023 — I am once again thinking about business as I always have. A couple of failed ventures lying like skeletal bones on the path of a “delusional” optimist. I pick up the phone and hit up that crazy Einstein looking character — William. Talking about Einstein, my father’s name is Albert, so I guess the seed of serendipity was already planted even before I was born.

📞Ring ring

William: “Mr Kunene, to what do I owe the pleasure of hearing your voice today”

Me: Ahhh, Mr Blake

For some reason we refer to each other as Mr….

Long story short, William and I became Co-Founders to a mission I held in my heart for the longest time. We would call it FAMA³ — Pronounced FAMA CUBED. Why CUBED? To denote the growing of food in cubic spaces instead of using horizontal land.

A seed was planted and the rest is history…

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The African Numbers

I’ve been struck by the numbers. Africa’s population will double to 2,4 billion by 2050 from 2024. Add to that, over 300 million people on this continent are undernourished today — more than 20% of our population. By 2030, it’s projected that nearly 60% of the world’s chronically hungry people will be here in Africa. That’s not just a statistic. That’s a call to action.

Because what happens here doesn’t stay here. Our crops, our farmers, our communities — they are connected to a global food system. When Africa struggles, the world struggles too. If that wasn’t an urgent mission I don’t know what is.

That’s why FAMA³ exists. Not as a solution in isolation, but as a movement to reintegrate African communities into the food-producing value chains they’ve been pushed out of for too long. Every project, every farm, every vertical growing tower we build is about restoring dignity, opportunity, and impact — not just for Africa, but for everyone who depends on the food we produce.

So if you’ve ever wondered about the importance of this continent and the seeds that were planted way before you and I were born, know that you have a role to play and we are just as excited to play it with you and make a real dent in the cosmic cadence that we have been given.

I want you to consider this: when Africa thrives, the world eats. And by standing with us, by planting your name on the Wall of Ubuntu, you’re planting hope, resilience, and a future we all share.

You too can plant a new seed, one that will echo for generations.

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Here is how you can be part of the solution.

Plant Your Seed on the Wall of Ubuntu

Your name isn’t just a name — it’s a seed of resilience and transformation. By adding your name to our Wall of Ubuntu, you become part of a movement that reconnects Africa’s youth to the food value chains they were left out of. You ensure that when Africa thrives, the world eats.

Visit the Wall of Ubuntu and plant your seed today:

https://www.fama3.com/wall-of-ubuntu

In appreciation