The South African Sugar Association (Sasa) has appointed Sifiso Mhlaba as the new chief executive officer effective today. He is taking over from Trix Trikam who has served the organisation for decades.
Mhlaba has been serving the organisation as national market and trade director and has been with the company since 2015.
The 36-year-old, a small-scale sugarcane farmer in Mpumalanga, said taking over the reins from a legend was an honour for him as he knows he will be stepping into big shoes and is determined to give his utmost best.
Ensuring a sustainable sugar industry
“I am truly honoured to be stepping into Trix’s big shoes. Make no mistake, it is a huge task and massive responsibility. I feel honoured that Sasa and industry members have shown this level of confidence in me.
“I look forward to working closely with our internal and external stakeholders as we secure and ensure the sustainability of the industry, which makes a critical social and economic contribution to job-starved rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga where sugarcane growing and milling activities occur,” he said.
Mhlaba said the Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan to 2030 remains crucial for the industry. “Policy coherence and support is a requisite for its successful implementation,” he said.
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After the appointment, Sasa independent chairperson advocate Fay Mukaddam said Mhlaba is the chief executive officer SASA needs right now to take the industry to the next level.
“Sifiso takes over from an industry stalwart who has done so much – Trix was with Sasa for 43 years (of which 26 years as the CEO). Sifiso has now taken the baton to build on Trix’s outstanding legacy and take Sasa (and the industry) to even greater heights.
“I call on all stakeholders including our government, industry role players, downstream users and all value chain partners to support our new CEO,” Mukaddam said.
Mhlaba holds four degrees – a BSc in agricultural economics (cum laude, North West University), BSc honours in agricultural economics (cum laude, North West University), a master of science in applied economics (Washington State University) and an MBA from Stellenbosch University.
Mhlaba also holds the Certified Director® designation from the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA).
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