• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle
Sine - supplied by newsmaker

‘The world doesn’t owe you anything,’ says newly appointed CEO

15th Jun 2020
This week on the Farmer’s Inside Track Weekend Edition, we take a closer look at the Master Plan for the Commercial Forestry Sector in South Africa. We’re joined by the executive director of Forestry South Africa, Michael Peter paints an intriguing picture.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

SA forestry: Dynamite on a small patch of land

3rd Jul 2022
The war on plant-based foods has erupted in South Africa. Photo: LikeMeat/Unsplash

War on veggie meat names ‘to protect consumers’

2nd Jul 2022
What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

1st Jul 2022
Leave your comfort zone and make money, says foodie

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

1st Jul 2022
Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

1st Jul 2022
Experts have warned farmers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase this month. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

1st Jul 2022
Parts of the Western Cape, such as the Central Karoo, are still experiencing drought. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

1st Jul 2022
Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

30th Jun 2022
Research has revealed that less than three in 10 farmers in the upper parts of Africa use technology. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Technology not a priority for Africa’s smallholder farmers

30th Jun 2022
The Mamahlola Communal Property Association was among the first to be established in 2000, but due to underinvestment, their land soon turned into a symbol of government’s land restoration failure. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

The poverty-fighting tool that’s not fighting poverty

30th Jun 2022
Langeberg & Ashton Foods provides employment for around 250 permanent and 4 300 seasonal staff. Photo: Supplied

ICYMI: Search for fruit factory buyer continues

30th Jun 2022
Michele Carelse, founder, and CEO of Feelgood Health, Aquaponics horticulturalist, PJ Phiri Gwengo, Dr Didi Claassen, Afrivets executive for technical and marketing support, and Sibusiso Xaba, co-founder and CEO of Africa Cannabis Advisory Group. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Podcast: Learn the basics of growing microgreens

29th Jun 2022
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
11 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Sun, Jul 3, 2022
Food For Mzansi
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
    • All
    • AgriCareers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Farmers
    • Groundbreakers
    • Innovators
    • Inspiration
    • It Takes a Village
    • Mentors
    • Movers and Shakers
    • Partnerships
    Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

    Reggie Kambule from Villiers in the Free State runs a 185 hectare farm where he breeds livestock and cultivates maize. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Engineer-turned farmer takes pride in good results

    Agripreneur 101: Sweet success for jam producer

    Agripreneur 101: Sweet success for jam producer

    Real Housewife turns passion for wine into a business

    Real Housewife turns passion for wine into a business

    David Mthombeni is building an agriculture empire for his family.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Farmer gets his hands dirty while building family empire

    Gauteng farmers give youth a leg-up in agriculture

    Women in farming give youth a leg up in agriculture

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Unati Speirs has vast experience in agri-business strategy and business funding and was recently appointed as a new board director for Hortgro. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Youngest Hortgro hotshot takes transformation to heart

    Prof Kennedy Mnisi a dedicated young man who wants to help livestock farmers with animal health education to prevent diseases. Picture. Supplied/ Food For Mzansi.

    Animal scientist works hard to earn top dog status

  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi

‘The world doesn’t owe you anything,’ says newly appointed CEO

by Sinesipho Tom
15th Jun 2020
in Movers and Shakers, News
Reading Time: 8 mins read
A A
Sine - supplied by newsmaker

Fhumulani Ratshitanga is CEO of Fruit SA. Photo: Supplied

For the newly appointed CEO of Fruit South Africa, Fhumulani Ratshitanga, hard work, discipline, focus and respect were the building bricks at the foundation of her success. 

“I never let my gender or the colour of my skin undermine my capabilities,” says the 41-year-old woman who now runs the non-profit company that is the umbrella body representing the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, the South African Table Grape Industry, Hortgro, the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum and the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association. 

She says she let her skills and work ethic speak for her to earn the respect and the hot seat she has just occupied.  

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m one to believe that you can’t say it’s not possible. Fine, it may not seem possible, because you’ve never tried it. Just because you’ve never tried it or you don’t know how it’s done does not mean it’s impossible,” she says. 

Born and bred in Ha-Mashau, a small village in Limpopo, Ratshitanga says her journey to agriculture was by accident. She had applied for a degree in microbiology at the University of Pretoria, but was accepted for a degree in agriculture instead.  

While not disappointed, she was concerned that she would not know which career path to follow after her studies. This was because she did not have much exposure to the agricultural sector back in 1996. As soon as lectures began, however, people in the agri–sector came to address the class and they taught Ratshitanga and her classmates about the career possibilities that were available to them. 

After completing her junior degree in agriculture she decided to pursue her master’s degree. 

“It was something I always wanted to do, and my mentor and lecturer Prof Lise Korsten, professor of plant pathology at the University of Pretoria, supported me with my decision,” she says. 

“Seeing people attaining their dreams by applying their minds and investing the right attitude, time and hard work inspired me,” ratshitanga says. 

Ratshitanga is the eldest of three children. She was raised by her mother and father, Gloria and Griffith Mashau, who are both teachers by profession. She says her parents were strict and taught her the value of hard work. 

Even during school holidays they were expected to do schoolwork and were only allowed to watch TV for 30 minutes once a week. It was only during the December holidays that they could actually unwind and have fun. 

Currently completing her B. Com Honours degree in Economics at the University of South Africa, Ratshitanga also holds a master’s degree in agriculture (MInstAgrar) specialising in plant protection from the University of Pretoria.  

The start of her career in the fruit business 

ADVERTISEMENT

In her 3rd year, the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) came to the university offering bursaries. It is an independent quality certification and cold chain management services company for producers and exporters of perishable food products.  

The bursary she got from PPECB not only paid for the rest of her studies, it also landed her a job as a food inspector. While inspecting fresh produce for exports she developed an interest in quality assurance and food safety and was compelled towards the field of international trade. 

After three years she moved to the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development (DALRRD) and was positioned in plant production where she did policy work. 

She says she could not shake off her interest in international trade and fortunately she got an opportunity at the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU). She worked as standard regional coordinator for three years getting excellent exposure to international trade aspects of agriculture before moving to other roles. Overall Ratshitanga worked a total of twelve years in the company working on agri development projects that support farmer organisations in Southern Africa.She joined Fruit SA as industry affairs manager in July 2019. 

“I didn’t know when I started that I would end up where I am today. Just seeing that evolution in myself and my progression in terms of my career as well as my studies – particularly my part time studies which I did while working – makes me proud,” she says. 

Ratshitanga was appointed CEO of Fruit SA on 1 June 2020 following her appointment to the role of acting CEO on 1 April. 

She says her vision for the future is to see the fruit industry continuously growing and achieving its objectives while it evolves and continues to contribute socially and economically to our country.   

 

Tags: CEOCitrus Growers' Association of Southern AfricaFhumulani RatshitangaFresh Produce Exporters’ ForumFruit South AfricaHortgroLimpopoSouth African Subtropical Growers’ AssociationSouth African Table Grape Industry
Previous Post

Dairy company celebrates renewable energy achievement

Next Post

Liewe Lulu: Am I ready to move in with him?

Sinesipho Tom

Sinesipho Tom

Sinesipho Tom is an audience engagement journalist at Food for Mzansi. Before joining the team, she worked in financial and business news at Media24. She has an appetite for news reporting and has written articles for Business Insider, Fin24 and Parent 24. If you could describe Sinesipho in a sentence you would say that she is a small-town girl with big, big dreams.

Related Posts

FMD: Farmers who notice symptoms of foot and mouth disease in their livestock should report it to local veterinarians as soon as possible. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

FMD outbreaks in Free State, Gauteng contained

by Duncan Masiwa
23rd Jun 2022
0

The fight against FMD is showing positive results in some parts of Mzansi. The spread of foot-and-mouth disease from three...

Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

by Nicole Ludolph
21st Jun 2022
0

INSPIRATION: Who says agriculture is just for old folks? These four young people from different provinces and walks of life...

Unati Speirs has vast experience in agri-business strategy and business funding and was recently appointed as a new board director for Hortgro. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Youngest Hortgro hotshot takes transformation to heart

by Duncan Masiwa
21st Jun 2022
0

She has worked for the European Union and United Nations and has built an impressive CV working across the globe....

Christo van der Rheede of Agri SA and Patrice Motsepe of the Motsepe Foundation. The two organisations have joined forces in a pioneering new financing venture. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Motsepe, Agri SA set up R70m boost for black farmers

by Staff Reporter
16th Jun 2022
0

In a bold move to enhance access to finance for new farmers, Agri SA and the Motsepe Foundation unveiled a...

Next Post
Pexels Image Lulu

Liewe Lulu: Am I ready to move in with him?

Leave your comfort zone and make money, says foodie
Catering Company

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

by Vateka Halile
1st Jul 2022
0

MZANSI FLAVOUR: With a hustle and a bustle, Eastern Cape foodie Vuyelwa Makile found ways to alleviate her financial stress....

Read more
Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

1st Jul 2022
Experts have warned farmers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase this month. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

1st Jul 2022
Parts of the Western Cape, such as the Central Karoo, are still experiencing drought. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

1st Jul 2022
Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

30th Jun 2022

Beef up your understanding of SA’s red meat industry

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

ICYMI: Historic kickstart for Engcobo livestock economy

Rural Safety Summit ‘will fail without action plan’

SAAGA on a mission to speak for exploitable graduates

This week’s agriculture events: 27 June to 01 July 2022

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 11 global awards in the first three years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

SA forestry: Dynamite on a small patch of land

War on veggie meat names ‘to protect consumers’

What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
WhatsApp line: +27 81 889 9032
Marketing: +27 71 147 0388
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2021 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version