The Root Of The Science Podcast

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We speak with soil scientist and entrepreneur Palesa Mutaung about building agri-tech that works because it starts with real farms, real buyers and the full agricultural value chain. 

We trace her journey from geology to hands-on deliveries, then into Bread Africa’s research-driven tools that help farmers make better decisions and stay audit-ready.  In this episode we discuss: 

• moving from geology into environmental and agricultural soil science 
• learning the agricultural value chain through aggregation, quality assurance and deliveries 
• choosing research and development as the core of Bread Africa 
• building practical tools that reduce back-and-forth in consulting and improve farm record keeping 
• serving emerging farmers while designing tools that work for any farm size 
• Percy Price as a free WhatsApp chatbot for market prices and market intelligence 
• why customer focus beats tech focus when designing agri-tech products 
• startup realities in South Africa, including bootstrapping and uneven access to grants 
• using perspective to keep going through pivots and pressure 

Email Palesa: [email protected] 

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In this episode of the Root of the Science Podcast, Dr Anne Chisa talks to a Nigerian malaria policy researcher Michael Audu to unpack what it will take for next-generation antimalarials to reach the people who need them.

They discuss drug resistance, Ganaplacide-Lumefantrine, Nigeria’s malaria burden and Michael’s Africa Readiness Index (ARI) in rolling out new malaria treatments.

Listen to the full conversation!

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Stories that move people deserve a wider audience. We open 2026 by bringing the team together to look back at the moments that stayed with us, the ideas that challenged us, and how we plan to grow African science stories this year.

From neglected tropical diseases to health funding cuts, we unpack why some conversations travelled further than others: real people, real consequences, and science that connects with everyday life.

Health shaped much of the year. We balance that weight with lessons from agriculture and food security: beekeeping for stronger ecosystems, turning invasive plants into renewable energy, and moringa farmers building value chains that support families.

Education and collaboration point us forward. A STEM programme for high school girls stood out for its confidence and creativity, showing that the future of African science is already in our classrooms.

If these stories matter to you, follow the show, share this episode with someone who should hear it, and leave a review to help others find us.

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Imagine turning any safe space: under a tree, in a hall, or a small classroom, into a working chemistry lab. That’s the promise of the CIA kit from Chemistry in Action.

We engage Viloshnee Singh, the CEO of V4 Group and founder of Chemistry in Action to unpack how a simple, affordable tool can improve science education across Africa. 

We talk about the access gap in STEM, why so many learners experience science only in textbooks, and what it takes to bring real experiments to schools without labs, electricity, or internet.

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Half the world lives at risk of at least one neglected tropical disease, yet these illnesses remain underfunded, misunderstood, and hidden behind stigma. 

Our host, Anne Chisa, speaks with public health practitioner Michael Ofire to unpack what “neglect” really means, how NTDs entrench poverty and how policy, primary care, and community action can break the cycle. 

Michael Ofire shares practical wins, funding ideas, and a hopeful path to 2030 through African-led research and partnerships.

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When we think of bees, we rarely imagine them meeting technology. Yet for Albert Mutangiri, a lifelong beekeeper and CEO of Blue Bean Software, innovation and nature go hand in hand.

In this episode of the Root of the Science Podcast, host Anne Chisa explores HivePulse, a smart monitoring system that uses sensors and data analytics to track hive health, boost pollination, and strengthen food security.

Albert shares how his passion for beekeeping led to creating a globally used agri-tech platform that’s reshaping sustainable farming.

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Imagine walking 50km to see a doctor versus getting treated from your phone. In Kenya, there’s just one doctor for every 5,000 people, far below the WHO’s recommended standard. Long queues, high costs, and staff shortages make access difficult.

In this episode of Rooted in Health II, Anne Chisa speaks with Dr. Karl Daniel, a medical doctor and healthcare entrepreneur, on how TIBU Health’s hybrid model is making healthcare accessible through in-person care, pharmacies, mobile clinics, and telemedicine.

Key issues covered:

Challenges in Kenya’s healthcare system and the impact of COVID-19
How TIBU Health integrates teleconsultation, pharmacies, and clinics
Building trust in digital health and adapting to cultural realities
Partnerships, insurance, and scaling across Kenya and beyond
Dr. Daniel’s 10-year vision for healthcare in Africa

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Maboang Matlou, founder of Lefakong Farm, shares her journey transforming a family farm into a thriving moringa enterprise that addresses nutrition, climate change and economic development simultaneously.

Maboang's story is a masterclass in agricultural innovation and perseverance. Get started with moringa farming by listening to Maboang explain the research, planning your market strategy, planting, and maintaining consistency. 

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What if the future of African agriculture lies not in expensive technology, but in understanding the hidden genetic code of livestock that have survived drought, disease, and harsh conditions for generations? 

Dr. Keabetswe Ncube takes us on a journey into agrigenomics - the science of using genetics to improve crops and livestock for healthier, stronger farming systems. 

From her childhood in Pella Village, bottle-feeding orphaned goats to founding her own agricultural services company, Dr. Kea explains the relationship between cutting-edge science and traditional farming wisdom.

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What happens when life-saving funding disappears? How do healthcare systems adapt? Can domestic resources fill the gap? 

The sudden freeze of US aid disbursements in January sent shockwaves through healthcare systems across Africa. Six months later, what was once a policy announcement has turned into a devastating reality for millions who depend on life-saving HIV and TB services.

Stepping into the aftermath of these cuts, we explore the human cost behind the headlines, through conversations with those on the frontlines. 

Today we hear from Dr. Limpho Ramangoaela, who witnesses patients presenting later with preventable complications. George Mbombi, a technical advisor who lost his job in the cuts, describes how youth support programs have collapsed. Tabita Ntuli from UNAIDS shares how people living with HIV have been affected.

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