Paarl, 5 November 2024 – SATI is pleased to announce new appointments to its board of directors.
During a board meeting on 28 October 2024, Alwyn Dippenaar from the Orange River Region was elected as the new chair. Dippenaar has served on the board since 2014, most recently as vice chair. He is taking over from Anton Viljoen Jnr. who is stepping down after holding the position for 4 years.
Dippenaar has extensive experience in the table grape industry, and he will continue to apply his practical knowledge to guide SATI’s strategic direction across all portfolios, including research, market access and market development.
“As we continue advancing strategic projects set in motion by the previous board, maintaining SA’s position as a preferred supplier in our existing markets remains a priority. Parallel to this, we also focus on market access and development. We are positive about the opportunity to expand SA table grape exports to North America,” said Dippenaar.
Reflecting on his time as chairperson, Viljoen thanked the industry for its support and emphasised the importance of collaboration in achieving objectives that can benefit SA in the international marketplace. Dynamic shifts in the global logistics landscape and evolving socio-political factors have been top of mind for the SATI board. The Predictive Logistics Model project is an example of the industry body’s response to evolving market requirements.
“We also placed a lot of emphasis on working more closely with external industry role-players, such as Transnet and Eskom, to address challenges faced,” he said.
Viljoen said the new board of directors will continue to drive and improve the projects initiated to address these and other challenges confronting the industry.
In response to logistics challenges the board supported the continued development of a predictive logistics model which factors in data points from across the value chain to provide the most optimal logistics solution during the table grape export season. Phase 2 of this project, which will be implemented in the 2024/25 export season, will be a tactical application of the strategic model built during phase 1 and will deliver regular scenario updates during the table grape season that can inform on-farm and commercial decisions.
Michael Vorster from the Hex River Valley Region was elected vice chairperson.
“Serving on the SATI board provides an opportunity to provide input on important matters that impact the industry. I look forward to continuing my contribution and am especially excited about the value research and development offers producers,” said Vorster.
Newly elected board member Reynecke Viljoen from the Hex River Valley Region will join re-elected directors; Brett Gosling (Northern Provinces), Morné Paxton (Olifants River Region), Gabriel Viljoen (Orange River Region), Niel Kirsten (Berg River Region), and Carel van der Merwe (Berg River Region). Mecia Petersen, appointed as CEO of SATI in July 2024, will also serve on the board of directors.
The new leadership expressed their appreciation for outgoing board members and their valuable contributions over many years to solidify the SA table grape industry’s reputation as a trusted and preferred global supplier of quality produce.
The new board of directors step into their roles at a pivotal time as the SA table grape industry explores new opportunities while responding to emerging challenges.
“The SATI team will continue to work with the board to advance the interest of all members and to ensure the industry can respond proactively as new opportunities and challenges arise,” said Petersen.
[ENDS]
ISSUED BY SATI
Media Enquiries:
Ms. Denene Erasmus
Market Development & Communications Manager
denene@satgi.co.za
+2784 548 4606
Ms. Mecia Petersen
CEO
mecia@satgi.co.za
+2721 863 0366
About SATI
SATI is the unified South African Table Grape Industry Association. All table grape producers are required to register with SATI, which is mandated by law as the industry’s official levy administrator. The levy is required to fund and facilitate market access and development, research and technology, information provision, transformation, and training. SATI is dedicated to operating a partnership that strives to maintain South Africa’s position as the preferred country of origin for retailers around the world.
