Reflections from Our First South Africa Festival: Reimagining Wealth, Community and Possibility

In April 2025, Be The Earth gathered 80 extraordinary individuals on the ancestral lands of the Khoikhoi and San peoples. From grassroots activists to wealth holders, impact investors to systems thinkers, we came together united by a shared vision: to nurture a more beautiful, regenerative world where life is valued above profit and power.

This festival was never about transactions. It was about trust. About weaving deeper relationships within our South African network and exploring what becomes possible when we meet one another with open hearts, courageous ideas, and a commitment to systems change.

We’re profoundly grateful to everyone who shared their gifts to co-create our festival programme. Your ideas and energy shaped something truly magical — a testament to the new, ancient, beautiful story that we feel emerging around us today:

• Pooven Moodley, Sanja Lutzeyer & Seth Tabatznik — opening ceremony and musical connection

• Stephne Fain — tai chi for grounding and presence

• Nastasha Sale — botanical ink workshop, creating with natural dyes

• Afrifungi & Alex Kruger — hands-on mycology and soil regeneration through mycoforestry

• Eve Annecke — conversation circle exploring a more-than-human world

• Sanja Lutzeyer — workshop on the stories we tell ourselves about life

• Matebe Chisiza — scenario journey into impact investing in South Africa

• Andre Sturmer — seed visualisation for reimagining possibility

• Brett Loubser — “decentralise everything" talk

• Louise Driver — dialogue on South Africa’s philanthropy climate commitment

• Rosie Downey — reflection on fear and wilderness: a near life experience

• Marimba Jam — joyful workshop and open mic

• Lungiswa Joe — closing ceremony with collaborative clay creation

Hear from the people who joined us...

“You have given me a renewed sense of how I work, how I live, and the kind of footprint I want to leave in the world. Thank you for such a thoughtfully curated programme. You reminded me why I got into this work in the first place, and you've taught me the deep value of connection: with self, with people, and with nature.

I don't think I will ever be the same, and that's a good thing. I'll continue doing my best to spread kindness and create a positive impact wherever I can; Living on purpose."

— Matebe Chisiza, Regional Director - Southern Africa, AVPA

“My favourite part of the retreat was the time in between. The time to sit with people over a meal, chat with my roommate before bed, connect with someone on route to the next activity. You brought together such a beautiful group of people who inspired and brought me hope in this space. The whole retreat felt intentional but relaxed in the pace set. Space to flow in and out of conversation without the panic to connect quickly, like other “networking" spaces can fuel."

— Frances Storey, Project Manager, The Iris Project

 “I left hopeful that humanity can shift onto a path of regeneration in the face of the challenges that lie ahead for us."

— André Stürmer, Founder & CIO, Atreyu Impact Investors

“It is an absolute pleasure to have been a part of this family...so spirited, affirming and absolutely grounding. Thank you once again Be The Earth Foundation, you are a warm home filled with intentional change makers. Being in the empowering presence of warriors called towards love for the earth and humanity in varied ways is symbolic of the Akoben (akindra symbol), for this, I am honoured."

— Amogelang Pila Ditlhale, Creative Entrepreneur, Cultural Producer & Arts Administrator