Tshililo Ronald Ramabulana appointed board chair of SA Wine Industry Transformation Unit

The South African Wine Industry Transformation NPC (SAWITU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tshililo Ronald Ramabulana as board chairman with immediate effect. Ramabulana brings to the position more than two decades of expertise in the agricultural sector.

With a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, Ramabulana previously served as CEO of the National Agricultural Marketing Council, in which capacity he worked closely with the Ministry on aspects including marketing, exports, competitiveness and transformation. In this capacity he was instrumental in setting up various industry-related organisations.

He is currently the CEO of a subtropical fruit and vegetables drying company based in the Limpopo Province. He also serves on numerous sector specific boards, and chairs the Onderstepoort Biological Products Limited and Hortfin Boards. He also serves on the Boards of Citrus Growers Development Company, Terrasan Group and Montagu Droogbane (Pty) Ltd.

“I am humbled at the opportunity to Chair this dynamic and diverse Board at this juncture, where I can pursue my passion for both agriculture and transformation. Especially during these challenging times, the call of the hour for SAWITU has become increasingly acute. We have our work cut out for us,” said Ramabulana.

In welcoming Ramabulana to the position, the SAWITU’s Transformation Operations Manager Wendy Petersen said, “We are excited at working with Ramabulana in the pursuit of our objectives. Aside from his very valuable knowledge and experience of the agricultural sector and of the transformation landscape, he also brings to the Board his expertise in governance and the regulatory framework.”

Outgoing chair of the SA Wine Industry Transformation Unit Board, Joyene Isaacs added, “We are delighted that Ramabulana will now head up the board, and are confident that he will further our objectives vigorously, inheriting as he has, a well-run, well-governed industry organisation.”

As an independent chairperson, Ramabulana will be responsible for managing the various stakeholder representatives that comprise the Board and working toward a combined objective.