Mandla is the DELIVER Work Package Lead and Chief Growth Officer for the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative. He is an Agricultural Development Executive with over 23 years sector experience. He has worked within private sector agribusiness companies, as well as in consulting and within NGOs operating in the sector. His work has covered experience in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, the USA, the Netherlands, the UK, and Zimbabwe. 

He has worked for International NGOs, TechnoServe in various roles including Operations Director for South Africa, Interim Country Director for South Africa, and Zambia, as well as Senior Strategic Advisor for Southern Africa.