MS. HLALELENI JENETHA MAHLANGU

 Ms Jenetha Mahlangu has significant experience in the agricultural sector. 

She has held various senior government positions in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), particularly as Director for Development Finance, Agricultural Attaché in France and the United States of America, and Director for International Trade Promotions. In the area of Development Finance, she spearheaded the establishment of Micro-Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa (MAFISA). Under her leadership, MAFISA contributed to rural economic transformation in the agricultural sector by funding rural-based business entities focusing on women and youth.   

As an Agricultural Attaché, she excelled in promoting South African agricultural interests in France, particularly market access for South African agricultural products to the European Union, thus contributing to increased exports to the EU. During her tenure in France, she also represented DALRRD in the standard-setting bodies that determine global standards for agricultural products. As a result, she possesses critical knowledge of the strategic use of standards, which is an essential element for agricultural trade.   

During her term as Agricultural Attaché in the USA, she played a critical role in identifying export opportunities for South African agricultural products. She also played a vital role in retaining the AGOA market in South Africa and the increased duty-free quota-free exports of SA Agricultural products into the USA market.    

She received several honorary accolades as a seasoned civil servant. These include receiving the highest order as the best serving Attaché from the French Minister of Agriculture and Food in 2014. She has also served as a non-executive director on several boards, including the  Agriculture Credit Board Members (1994-1999) and the Board Member of South African Micro-Finance APEX Fund SAMAF (2004 -2006). Currently serving as Board Member of Fruit South Africa and Council Member for Centre for Entreneurship, Incubation and Rural Development.