Hannes de Waal, an experienced marketer and company leader in the Eastern Cape, was elected as the new chairman of the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) recently (Friday, 25 March). He will be leading the board of this industry body that serves an industry that earns South Africa billions in export revenue for a two-year term.
De Waal has more than 26 years of experience in the industry.
“It is my privilege to serve our dynamic industry in this capacity. Over the last decade, I have had the pleasure of observing the growth and resilience of a valley of smaller farmers who have worked hard to build professional businesses, distributing high quality fruit into local and foreign markets,” said De Waal.
De Waal added that he believes that South Africa’s agricultural sector is one in which benefits are enjoyed by all members of the value and supply chain – this is something they should continue to build on.
The chief executive officer of the CGA, Justin Chadwick, congratulated De Waal on his appointment. “Hannes brings a wealth of experience to his new role and has served in various leadership positions in the citrus industry for many years,” he said.
“I look forward to continuing our work together with the aim of furthering the interests of our citrus growers when it comes to expanding market access and creating an inclusive, profitable, and sustainable industry,” said Chadwick.
Strong industry leadership
De Waal said that the process of establishing strategy is well structured within the CGA. “This is the result of a strong team effort that feeds off the fact that all board members are experienced citrus producers and businessmen,” he said.
“This is just what our industry needs to continue growing from strength to strength. This will, of course, have to be accompanied by a strategic plan that addresses the many logistical and shipping challenges faced by our growers.”
De Waal first joined the Outspan team at the Durban Container Port terminal. He held various positions over 17 years within the Capespan group, mostly relating to procurement, marketing, and logistics.
He then joined the Sundays River Citrus Company in 2011 as its marketing director and became its managing director just four years later, and most recently its CEO. De Waal also serves as the Chairman of Venco, a young business specialising in the manufacturing of juice and oil concentrate, as well as the chairman of the Citrus Producer Forum in the Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape.
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