The South African Sugar Association (SASA) says it mourns the death of Judith Wilson, a key player in the drafting of the master plan to ensure the stability, growth and sustainability of the industry.
Wilson died of a suspected heart attack on Thursday, 11 August – just 17 days before she was scheduled to participate in the Comrades Marathon. The Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan was signed off virtually in November 2020.
Serving passionately as SASA’s commercial director for the past eight years, Wilson was responsible for monitoring demand for South African sugar in the five countries represented by the Southern African Customs Union market, as well as managing the export of sugar surpluses. She also played an oversight role on certain legislated functions that SASA performs on behalf of the sugar industry.
‘Immortal legacy in the industry’
Paying tribute to his beloved friend and colleague, Trix Trikam, executive director of SASA, says he will remember Wilson as a dearly loved and highly regarded member of the executive team.
“She was in charge of the all-important Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan to 2030. She propelled the sugar terminal to unparalleled heights of success.
“She took over the Shukela Training Centre during the devastating times of Covid-19, but managed to steer the ship in the right direction,” Triakam says.
According to him, Wilson garnered the utmost admiration, confidence, and respect of sugar industry members and external stakeholders, including several government departments.
Trikam says he will remember Wilson as “a consummate professional, oozing unfeigned humility, Judith has immortalised her legacy in the industry.”
Judith is survived by her husband, Sean, their 13-year-old son, Ben, her father Tony Barrington, and sister, Sarah Roberts.
In a recent interview with Food For Mzansi, Wilson joked that her family often mocked her for being, what they considered to be, an overqualified horticulturalist because she holds an MSc degree in horticulture.
A memorial service in honour of Wilson will be held on Friday, 19 August 2022, in Durban to celebrate her life and contribution to the sugar industry. Wilson’s family have requested that friends and colleagues join them at the service which will take place at the sugar associations’ head office.
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