By Staff Writer
Xploreza’s Table of Influence has never been about name tags or titles. It has always been about presence. The energy in the room. The quiet power of people who are shaping conversations in their own lanes, and then choosing to sit down together. Each person who showed up was a high-profile guest and we could not thank them enough for taking time out of their schedule to honour the event in a spectacular manner.
Here are some of the individuals who attended.
Among those present was Dr Lerato Masemola, known to many of her patients as Dr Lovelee. A general family practitioner with a deep commitment to education and myth- busting, she brings more than medical knowledge to any space she enters. She brings intention. Whether running the Comrades Marathon, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro or guiding patients through complex health decisions, her approach is rooted in care for the person, not just the diagnosis. Having contributed thoughtful health pieces to Xploreza, her presence at the table added a layer of grounded wellness and lived discipline to the conversations. She also took the time to address guests as one of the speakers on the day, touching souls with her soul stirring speech that came from the heart.
Dr Lerato Masemola at the XploreZA Table of Influence event.
Nothando, whose journey from lockdown hobbyist to building a farming legacy we have previously featured, represented the quiet resilience of South Africa’s new-generation agriculturists. Her story is not simply about farming, it is about reinvention and vision. At the table, she embodied what happens when passion meets patience, and when small beginnings are nurtured into sustainable ambition.
Lumka Dlomo and Nothando Mokone at the XploreZA Table of Influence event.
Naledi Setsiba, the PhD candidate we profiled for her work on the future of farming, brought research into the room in a way that felt accessible and hopeful. Rooted in academia but deeply aware of practical realities, she represents the bridge between theory and soil. Her voice is a reminder that agriculture is not static; it is evolving, and young scholars are helping to shape that evolution.
Naledi Setsiba at the XploreZA Table of Influence event.
Holding the space with ease and charm was Sipho Alphi Mkhwanazi, our MC for the day and a contributor whose reflections on courage and self-discovery have resonated with our readers. Known for encouraging others to do the scary things alone, he did what he does best — creating room for others to shine while anchoring the atmosphere with warmth and confidence.
Sipho Alphi Mkhwanazi, our MC at the XploreZA Table of Influence event.
This is what makes the Table of Influence special. It is where automotive meets agriculture, where health intersects with storytelling, and where research shares space with lived experience.
