Educational Background: Master of Science (Jackson State University), Bachelor of Arts Honours Education (UKZN), Bachelor of Arts (Walter Sisulu University), Leadership in Local Government (Thailand), Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance (IOD)

Board: Member and Chair of HR Committee Western Cape Gambling Board, Non-Executive Director and Shareholder Stonevest Property Group, Audit Committee Chairman -Department of Human Settlements, Member – Audit and Risk Committee Eastern Cape Education, Chairman of Dakhile Property

Mr. Faku has occupied various executive, management and leadership positions in both public and private sector. His expertise is in leadership development, strategic HR management and development, transformation projects, corporate governance, real estate management and investments.

Before venturing into the corporate world, Mr. Faku began his career as a agriculture lecturer at the Maluti College of Education (1991) and later on moved to Eskom. While at the power utility, he was Group Human Resources Development Manager and then later was Business Services Manager. Both these roles opened a channel to serve as an HR Committee member at various companies (ICASA, EAAB, PikitUp, Magalies Water, Metro-bus, Sansa, NDA), and a venture in Real Estate, Non-executive at Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Faku has a diversified property portfolio and attained a Real Estate NQF Qualification, and Housing Finance Course (Wits Business School). He is an accredited assessor, moderator, verifier and a property trainer. In 2009, he was voted the ‘Property Mover and Shaker’ of the year. He also serves in various Audit and Risk Committees, the most notable being the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Department of Human Settlements.

Educational Background: Bachelor of Administration (University of Durban Westville), Diploma Office Management (Infotech College). Introduction to Corporate Governance and Board Effectiveness (Institute of Directors Southern Africa), Certificate of Competence in Leadership and Team Building (Umbumbo Research and Development),

Board: Director – ECDRA, Director Fezz Business Enterprises and Suppliers, Director Khanyisa Children’s Home, Director at Kangela Citrus Farm, Independent Trustee at Cookhouse Trust.

Ms Mkile is a Managing Director: Fezz Enterprises and a registered member of the Institute of Board of Directors of South Africa. She has been involved in community and agribusiness development initiatives in Eastern Cape. Her involved in these initiatives has not gone unnoticed. She was the winner of the SAB Innovation Award (2011) and first runner up in Top Entrepreneur Commercial Female Farmer (2012). Fezeka’s role was also acknowledged by the former Premier of the Eastern Cape Noxolo Kiviet in her Province State of the Nation address as a brand ambassador.

Her passion for agriculture was steered by working for an NPO OR Tambo Farmers Association – funded by the Swedish Cooperative Centre as a CEO. The project supported small scale farmers around OR Tambo District. Among other community projects she helped establish is the Khanyisa Children’s Home (for the abandoned, orphaned, HIV/AIDS children) where she serves as one of the Board of Directors.

Throughout her business ventures, Fezeka acquired skills in corporate governance, strategic planning, leadership and entrepreneurial skills. These acquired skills helped her at ECRDA Board where she is the Deputy Chairperson of the Board and heads its Finance and Investment Committee portfolio. She also a Trustee and Chairperson of the Governing Council of one of the top 100 schools in South Africa – Khanyisa High School.

Educational Background: Masters in Commerce Economics (University of Natal), Masters Science Agricultural Economics (University of Pretoria), Bachelor of Science Honours Degree Agricultural Economics (University of Pretoria), Bachelor of Science Agriculture (University of North West).

Board: Member of Orange River Cellars (ORC); Orange River Tankers (ORT); South African Grain Information Service (SAGIS); and Grain Farmer Development Association (GFADA); Trustee of Sorghum Trust; Member of the Audit Committee of the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Free State).

 Mr Mohane is a founder and Managing Director of Trade Afrika Investment; which is a South African based company that invest in various economic sectors. Prior to establishing his own company, he was employed as a Senior Manager for Agribusiness Development at the National Agricultural Marketing Council. While at the NAMC, Mr Mohane was instrumental in facilitating development schemes such as the Vineyard Development Scheme, Red Meat Development Scheme (now operating as the National Red Meat Development Programme) and business linkages like the Supply Chain Logistics Programme which was funded by the Flemish government.

Prior to joining the NAMC, he was employed as a Research Specialist at ECI Africa, and was responsible for coordinating the operations of two Joint Regional Trade projects in Angola and Namibia. He brings along vast knowledge in enterprise development; economic development, agriculture, economic analysis, economic infrastructure, business linkages, monitoring and evaluation and development finance.

Mr Mohane is also a full-time farmer in the Gauteng Province.

Education Background: Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (University of Fort Hare), Bachelor of Agricultural Economics Honours (Fort Hare University).

Boards & Committees: Chair of Board of Directors South African Grain Laboratory; Commissioner at International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC); Member of RSA Steel Committee; Trustee at the Winter Cereal Trust Board; Industry representative at the International Grains Council (IGC), International Association of Operatives Millers and Global Millers Symposiums; Industry representative at various structures including DAFF CEO Forum, DTI Industry Forum, Wheat and Maize Forum, National Agricultural Research Forum, Crop Estimates Liaison Committee, Agricultural Trade Forum, JSE Advisory Committee, S&DE Committee, Crop Estimate Liaison Committee, etc.

Experience/ Knowledge: Mr Mokgatle started his career at the erstwhile Agricultural Development Cooperation (AGRICOR) in 1992 and was involved in a policy advisory environment until 1996. He has since then held various senior positions at national government departments including Trade and Industry and Agriculture. He also worked at the Board on Tariffs & Trade now called International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) responsible for Tariff Investigations Unit. He participated in various trade and policy delegations including the SA-EU Joint Cooperation Council (TDCA), European Free Trade Agreement Negotiations (EFTA), SACU Trade & Liaison Committee, etc.

Mr Mokgatle is an Executive Director at National Chamber of Milling and brings along impeccable industry credentials.

Board Appointments: Current– NAMC – Member of Council, Audit & Risk Committee, African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program SA –  Director. Previous – NAMC Smallholder Market Access Tracker Reference Group Member (SMAT) (2016 to 2017), Agri Mega NPC – Chairperson (2013 to 2015), Agri Mega Enterprises – Director (2012 to 2015), Potato Industry Development Trust (PIDT) Ministerial Trustee (2010 to 2015), Potatoes South Africa (PSA)- Member of National Council, Board, Marketing Committee, Chairperson: Transformation Committee (2008 to 2015)

Memberships: African Farmers Association of SA (AFASA) and Agricultural Economics Association of SA (AEASA)

Education and background: MAgric. Rural Development University of Pretoria (finalising dissertation), McDonalds International Quick Service Restaurant Management Certification McDonalds Corporation, BSc. Nutritional Sciences Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Ms. Mokose is an experienced executive, and an established entrepreneur in primary agriculture and the food industry. She is an entrepreneur focused in primary production and was previously involved in secondary production of pork meat products. Her experience includes strategy formulation, strategic planning including implementing enterprise strategic plans.

As a trained nutritionist, her career has primarily been centred in food based industries through her involvement in FMCG marketing, retail buying, product development, and market development. Her experience in the agricultural sector includes primary agricultural production, sustainable agricultural development targeting the empowerment and development of women and youth in particular and marketing.

Acknowledged as the Gauteng Female Farmer of the Year (2009) and national commercial category winner (2009), her leadership credentials attracted organisations such as John Deere to form part of a team to design a strategy addressing sustainable smallholder to commercial farmer development and implementation across different African regions.Further, she led a team supporting SAB in developing and mentoring smallholder barley and maize farmers, under irrigation and dry-land production, to commercial production.

Ms. Mokose is also involved in agricultural research development and engaged in academic study on empowerment of smallholder farmers. In 2016, she presented a paper at the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) on Tracking Smallholder Market Access in SA.  She was a member of a development team, charged with developing an innovative software solution to support the incubation, management and funding facilitation of smallholder farmers.

Educational Background: Master of Arts (Sussex), Masters in Education (Wits) Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts Honours (University of Limpopo), Management Development Programme (University of Stellenbosch).

Diale Rangaka, a professor of literature of the North West University, was its Director of Education Internships, Dean of the School of Education, Director of Public Relations and was Principal of Soweto Campus of the University of Johannesburg and Senator of both Universities; Member of the National English Literary Museum Council, Chairman of the Kopanong (Vereeniging) Hospital board and the Environmental Health Officers Committee of the HPCSA; boards of Wines of South Africa (WOSA); the South African South African Wine Industry Trust (SAWIT); the South African Wine Industry Transformation Unit; Secretary of the Black Vintners Alliance; Chairperson of the African Vintners Co operative Association; late Chairperson of Bright Futures Foundation and Director of family-owned Mhudi Wines.

Educational Background: Master in Agriculture, Baccalaureus Honours in Agriculture Animal Nutrition, Bachelor of Science Agriculture.

Board: Member of CEO’s Forum, Member of National Agricultural Research Forum, Trustee (Meat Industry Trust, Red Meat Research and Development Trust, Animal Improvement Trust), Manager – National Stock Theft Prevention Forum, Chairman – Planning Committee Beef and Small Stock of Red Meat Research and Development.

Mr Schutte is a Chief Executive Officer Red Meat Producers Organisation and was honoured with the President’s Award by the South African Society of Animal Science for contributing to the delivery of Animal Science and the Livestock.

In the 26 years of experience at RPO, Mr Schutte has worked with the following meat industries; red meat, pork, game ranching and feedlot in which he provided secretariat support.  He has been invited to lecture on commercial red meat production internationally. He is a part time commercial beef farmer and has also ventured into business in the horticulture industry.

Educational Background: Master Degree in Sustainable Agriculture University of Free State, B-Tech Agricultural Management (UNISA), Diploma in Agriculture Fort Cox College.

Board: Trustee – Winter Cereal Trust.

Mr Wapi is a Manager New Business Development at RCL Foods responsible for identifying sources for new markets. He completed a course on Making Markets Work for Competitive Enterprises (Springfield Centre) based on compliance to the competition Act and consumer Protection. He was a recipient of the Impumelelo Innovation Award.

In 2005, Zandisile was elevated to Manager Training and Development at the National Woolgrowers Association where he administered and monitored projects on their impact to rural livelihoods. He also served at Mpofu Training Centre as a Wool and Sheep Instructor and later serving as Production Adviser at the National Woolgrowers Association. He began his career as a Marketing Officer for the former Ciskei Marketing Board where he was responsible for organizing markets for rural farmers agricultural products.