The agriculture sector needs not only the hands that turn the soil, but also the brains that positively impact the sector, says AgriSETA CEO Zenzele Myeza, welcoming the members of the organisation’s new board.
New chairperson Gaitsiwe S. Sepeng is leading the board that is newly appointed by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande. As the agri sector education and training authority the body is tasked with creating and promoting opportunities for social, economic and employment growth for agri-enterprises through relevant, quality and accessible education, training and development in both primary and secondary agriculture.
Sepeng is highly experienced in skills development, specifically in education and training, research, human resources and finance, says Myeza. She practices as an independent consultant to government and municipalities and holds a diploma in education and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the North-West University.
Myeza says that, according to the World Bank, “amid much terrible news tied to COVID-19 comes one positive forecast: World agricultural commodity prices are stable and are expected to remain so in 2020.”
He adds, “this is valuable information, but of course it is not all good news and on a human level poverty and hunger remain very real issues, as do pests and diseases in the agricultural sector. AgriSETA therefore needs to do a lot more with less (amid budget cuts) as new innovations, research and career development takes priority, because the sector needs not only the hands that turn the soil, but also the brains that positively impact the sector.”
The new board consists of the following members:
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Ms Gaitsiwe S. Sepeng, Chairperson
Organised Labour
Ms Bagcinile Wendy Cele, Food & Allied Workers Union (FAWU)
Ms Linda Gqokoma, Food & Allied Workers Union (FAWU)
Mr Ernest Mmako, Food & Allied Workers Union (FAWU)
Mr Mayoyo Mngomezulu, Food & Allied Workers Union (FAWU)
Mr Andre Kriel, Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU)
Organised Employer
Ms Pinki Luwaca, Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)
Mr Mlulami Mahanjana, National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (NERPO)
Ms Stella Mthembu, RCL Foods
Mr Anton Rabe, Fruit SA / Hortgro
Ms Linda Senyatsi, South African Pork Producer’s Organisation (SAPPO) / Agri SA
Mr Christo van der Rheede, Agri SA
Community Organisations
Mr Kabelo Tsimatsima
Adv. Eliot Thalente Mhlongo
- The Board’s term of office is from 01 April 2020 to 31 March 2025.
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