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SA/UK Agricultural Sector Focus Seminar Banner

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Join industry leaders, innovators, and experts as we explore the future of agricultural collaboration between South Africa and the UK. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to network and learn.

Sponsorships & Branding Packages

Platinum Sponsor: Cost of Sponsorship – R50 000.00

Benefits Included:

Mention as the Platinum Sponsor
10-minute speaker slot
Panel Session Moderator slots
Company profile on our website with your presentation
1-minute corporate video to be played
Logo on all marketing collateral
Interviews with Media during the event
Promotion on all social media platforms
Inclusion in the Event Public Relations Campaign (may include radio interviews, articles in newsletters, promotion via our strategic partner network)
Branding within the venue in conjunction with other Sponsors (competitors excluded)
Branding at the Registration area
Branding at the catering and networking area
Banners and branding to be placed within the venue (banners to be supplied by sponsor)
Website link to www.innovative.org.za
Logo and Paragraph (±300 words) in the delegate information packs
10 x company representatives to attend free of charge

Gold Sponsor: Cost of Sponsorship — R30 000.00

Benefits Included:

Mention as Gold Sponsor
1-minute corporate video presentation
Logo placement on all marketing collateral
Media interview opportunities during the event
Social media promotion across all platforms
Inclusion in PR Campaign (radio interviews, newsletter features, partner network promotion)
2 pull-up banners at Registration area (sponsor responsible for setup/removal)
2 pull-up banners at catering/networking area
Website link on www.innovative.org.za
Logo + 300-word profile in delegate materials
5 complimentary attendee passes

Silver Sponsor: Cost of Sponsorship – R15 000.00

Recognition as Silver Sponsor
Logo placement on all marketing materials
Social media promotion across all platforms
Two (2) pull-up banners at Registration area (sponsor-provided and installed)
Two (2) pull-up banners at catering/networking area
Website link on www.innovative.org.za
Logo and 300-word company profile in delegate materials
Three (3) complimentary event passes

Key Note Speakers

Dr. Maria Gonzalez speaking at agricultural conference

Programme Director: Rajen Pillay, CEO of Garuda Capital (Pty) Ltd & EXCO Member Prof SACC UK

Prof. Rajen Pillay is the CEO of Garuda Capital, a boutique Mergers & Acquisitions firm based in Sandton, South Africa, specializing in transactions exceeding $5 million, with some surpassing $700 million. The firm provides services such as deal structuring, corporate finance, capital raising, country entry strategies, distress funding, performance bonds, bank feasibility studies, JSE listings, and other complex transactions

James Chen demonstrating AI farming technology

Welcome Remarks

Svend Lattauer, Chief Executive Officer, SA Chamber of Commerce UK

CEO of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK and Founder of Entrepreneur Limited. With over 20 years of international business experience, he supports companies expanding between the UK, South Africa, and Ireland. His expertise spans governance, legal frameworks, and HR, with a strong focus on sustainable trade and cross-border collaboration. Known for his strategic leadership and multicultural insight, Svend is dedicated to building lasting partnerships and economic bridges across sectors and regions.

Dr. Amara Okafor examining soil samples in field research

Arlene Wilson-Max, Director, Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC & EXCO Member of SA Chamber UK

Arlene Wilson-Max is the Director of Innovative Entrepreneurs, a non-profit driving income-generating initiatives and market access for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities across 15 African countries.

With 23 years of experience in business development, trade facilitation, and cross-sector collaboration, she also serves on the Executive Committee of the SA Chamber UK, promoting trade between the UK and South Africa. A passionate advocate for inclusive economic growth, she was recently honoured with the SA Chamber UK’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award

Keynote Address His Majesty,

King Makhosoke II Mabhena Chairperson: The South Africa Majesties Forum

The King's special advisor

Mr Zakhele G. Mthethwa is the founder and Chief Enabler of Inceku Yenkosi, meaning “Steward of a King.” He currently serves as Economic Advisor to King Makhosoke II of the AmaNdebele nation and leads Agriculture and Economic Projects in the King’s office. A strong advocate for rural and township economic development, Mr Mthethwa promotes inclusive business collaboration. He holds a Chemical Engineering NDip from the University of Johannesburg and has over 15 years of experience in water treatment, having worked both in South Africa and the UK.

Johann Kotzé, Chief Executive Officer, AgriSA

The State of Agriculture in South Africa

Johann Kotzé started his career as a farmer and thereafter, he became an agricultural banker at Absa Bank in the Western Cape. After working as a corporate banker in Mozambique, he became an independent business consultant operating across multiple provinces and agricultural value chains.

In 2013, Kotzé returned to banking and oversaw Africa Agriculture for FNB where he gained vast exposure to agriculture in Southern Africa. Since 2017, he has served as the Chief Executive Office of the South African Pig Producers Organisation (SAPPO). He was appointed as Chief Executive Director of Agri SA on 1 October 2023.

Theo Boshoff, the Chief Executive Officer, AgBiz

An Overview of the Investment Climate in South Africa’s Agricultural Sector

Theo Boshoff is the CEO of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), representing over 100leading companies in the agricultural value chain. He plays a key role in shaping policy between industry and government, with a focus on land reform, trade, logistics, and regulatory frameworks. Theo has served on several national platforms, including the AgriBEE Charter Council and the Agricultural Master Plan Oversight Committee. He holds multiple degrees with distinction, including an LLM in Constitutional Property Law and an MPhil in Wildlife Management.

Panel Session: Livestock | Aquaculture

Moderator: Christo Els, Webber Wentzel

Christo Els is the Senior Partner and Chair of Webber Wentzel (2015–2025), with over a decade of leadership advising multinationals, financial institutions, and investors across Sub-Saharan Africa. A specialist in strategic M&A and capital markets, he integrates legal, commercial, and regulatory insight to support market entry and high-impact investments. His experience spans sectors including finance, mining, telecoms, and retail, and he is widely respected for his commercial acumen, political foresight, and strong network across Africa. Christo also serves as a non-executive board member in the Financial Services, Telecommunications,

and Mining sectors.

LIVESTOCK
Dewald Olivier, CEO, Red Meat Industry Services

Dewald Olivieris the CEO of Red Meat Industry Services NPC (RMIS), leading the drive for sustainability, traceability, and

inclusive growth in South Africa’s red meat sector. With a background in law and agriculture, he has held senior roles including Group Risk Manager at Suidwes Agriculture and COO of the largest fencing company in the Southern Hemisphere. He founded a consulting firm focused on regulatory compliance and traceability systems and previously served as Executive Officer of the South African Feedlot Association. Dewald holds an LLB, a Diploma in Import & Export, and an MBA (Cum Laude) from NWU.

AQUACULTUR

Valdi Pereira, EXCO Member, Aqua SA

Valdi Pereira is a founding member and past chairperson of the Tilapia Aquaculture Association of South Africa (TAASA) which was established in 2012. He currently serves on the executive of Aquaculture South Africa,which is the representative body for all aquaculture producers in South Africa. He has been involved withaquaculture production on a small and medium scale since the early 2000s and is experienced in the breeding, growing and harvesting of a number freshwater species. Valdi has served on a number of committees promoting the development of aquaculture including the National Aquaculture Research Forum, the Technology Innovation Agency Biotechnology Fund, the South African National Biodiversity Institute Nile tilapia

mapping task team and the AgriSeta intensive farming production chamber.

AQUACULTURE

Lisa Mazaleni, Deputy Director: Investment Promotions, the DTIC

Lisa Mazaleni is the Deputy Director for Aquaculture Investment Promotions at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in South Africa. Her portfolio focusses on aquaculture sector development; investment promotion and facilitation, and supporting industry with access to local and international markets.

With 15 years’ combined experience from the public and private sector, Lisa has worked at all levels of government including municipal and provincial.

Panel Session: Green Energy | Water

Moderator: Hein Rust, Senior Audit, Forvis Mazars

Hein Rust is a Senior in the Financial Services Audit division at Forvis Mazars, with extensive experience in asset management, insurance, micro-lending, and private equity. His strong understanding of financial systems and regulatory frameworks is complemented by his entrepreneurial role as the owner of a mutton farm in the Northern Cape, allowing him to approach challenges with both analytical expertise and practical insight.

GREEN ENERGY

Chris Heinermann, Chief Commercial Officer, GeFP Holdings

Christoph Heinermann, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Green eFuels Producers (GeFP), has over 25 years’ experience in IT/telecoms and energy across Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa. After early roles at Deutsche Telekom, IBM and Alcatel, he drove broadband and mobile adaption in Indonesia and the Philippines. Thirteen years ago he pivoted to renewables, leading KACO new energy’s regional market entry, later absorbed by Siemens. Today, as co-founder of Libalele Energy and GeFP, he spearheads renewable energy, green-hydrogen and green-methanol project developments powering South Africa’s just energy transition and sustainable economic growth.

WATER

Ashwin Seetal, Specialist: Strategic Water Management, CSIR

Ashwin is a multi-disciplinary specialist with over 45 years of experience in water, natural resources, and socio-economic development sectors. Holding an MSc in Microbiology, BSc (Hons) in Botany, and BCom (Hons) in Business, he blends technical expertise with strong business acumen. Ashwin is a strategic communicator, negotiator, and facilitator, specializing in systems analysis, policy formulation, and implementation. His work spans regulatory reforms, water management, and integrated sustainability

projects, focusing on climate change, ecosystem restoration, and water security. He shares his expertise globally to drive sustainable development and socio-political stability.

Keynote Address – An Overview of the UK Agriculture Sector

John Humphrey, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, UK Department of Business & Trade

John Humphrey is His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, appointed in June 2022. Prior to this, he was Group CEO of Kent HoldCo Limited, overseeing five companies with 1,500 employees. From 2012 to 2019, he served in leadership roles at the UK Hydrographic Office, including Chief Executive and Accounting Officer. With a background in commercial and executive roles in the technology sector both in the UK and abroad, he also holds affiliations with Trinity House and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy.

Export Credit Agency Funding, an alternative funding solution: UK Export Finance

Dirk van den Berg, Country Head for Southern Africa, UKEF.

Dirk has extensive experience in finance and business which he largely gained in investment and corporate banking, over nearly four decades. He has exposure across multiple disciplines including credit, corporate sales, business development and relationship management and also has extensive experience in the financing of trade and working capital, as well as structured and corporate finance. He has held various leadership positions in leading international and South African banks. Before joining UKEF in 2020, as Head for Southern Africa, he also consulted for freight and logistic providers as well as some B-BBEE entities. He holds B.Com, MBA and LLB (Cum Laude) degrees.

Panel Session: Animal Tags & Data Solutions | Disease Surveillance | Atmospheric Hydroxyls

Moderator: Dr. Langa Simela, New Business Development, ABSA

Dr Langelihle Simela (Langa) is an Agribusiness Development Specialist at Absa, where she has championed inclusive agricultural finance since 2015. With a PhD in Animal Science, MSc in Veterinary Tropical Diseases, and an MPhil in Development Finance, she brings deep expertise to policy engagement and sector transformation. Langa has supported emerging farmers through roles at NERPO and AFASA, and has held positions with the FAO and on several industry boards, including Vice-Chairperson of Agbiz and member of the SAMIC Board.

ANIMAL TAGS & DATA SOLUTIONS

Wiekus Pretorius, International Sales Manager, Shearwell Data Limited

Wiekus Pretorius is the International Sales Manager at Shearwell Data, where he drives global business development in Livestock Management Technology. With over 15 years of experience in agriculture, he has led market expansion and innovation across regions including the USA, UK, Asia, and Europe. He is also a Director at Trofast Business Development Consulting Group, supporting businesses in scaling internationally. Holding qualifications in Sales, Business Management, and PC Engineering, Wiekus combines technical expertise with strategic insight, making him a key player in agricultural innovation and AgriTech growth

DISEASE SURVEILLANCE

Mubien Nakhooda, Livetec Systems Limited

Mubien is a Senior Developer at Livetec Systems Ltd, leading and mentoring a growing team. He specializes in translating customer needs into technical solutions, focusing on the Livestock Protect platform and data-driven solutions. His work ensures scalable, robust systems that support customers in managing biosecurity risks and enhancing farm operations.

Atmospheric Hydroxyls

Stuart Elson, Global Development Partnership

Stuart is the Owner of Global Development Partnership, a global manufacturing and distribution company operating in over 50 countries. Through its Radical Clean Solutions brand, the company develops patented Hydroxyl Radical generators that replicate a natural atmospheric process to eliminate pathogens and odours from air and surfaces. This advanced technology, backed by scientific research and international recognition, is used in healthcare, education, and agriculture—helping to prevent post-harvest spoilage, reduce livestock disease, and improve indoor environmental safety to standards beyond traditional methods.

Panel Session: Agritech, Cold Storage, Renewable Energy & Water in Agriculture

Moderator: Kaluba Chikonde, Livetec Systems

Kaluba Chikonde, known as the “Queen of Data,” is a recognised leader in Data Engineering and AI, currently serving as Data Lead at Livetec Systems, a global biosecurity authority in the livestock industry. Named a Next Generation Woman Leader by McKinsey & Company, she spearheads data-driven innovation for disease surveillance and biosecurity infrastructure across the UK and Europe. With experience across sectors including biosecurity, banking, aviation, and health, Kaluba is passionate about using data and AI to drive sustainable innovation and smarter decision-making in agriculture and beyond.

AGRITECH

Danie Swart, Aspia Space

Danie Swart is a senior agribusiness leader with deep roots in African agriculture and a strong track record in agri-tech, operations, and strategic leadership. Based in Zimbabwe, he leads African market growth at UK- based Aspia Space, delivering satellite-powered insights for agriculture and finance. With a background

spanning commercial farming, digital agriculture, and AI-driven precision tools, Danie bridges global innovation with local impact. His work is grounded in trust, simplicity, and a commitment to empowering Africa’s agricultural ecosystems

POST HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY

David Perry, CEO, Perry Engineering Limited

David Perry is the Managing Director of Perry Engineering and has over 35 years of experience in the grain processing and storage industry. He has been instrumental in growing the company into a global leader with over 80 staff across seven countries, including subsidiaries in Johannesburg and Kampala. A specialist in the mechanical design of grain conveying equipment, cleaners, and dryers, David also led the expansion of export sales to 40% of annual turnover. His deep involvement in hundreds of grain storage and milling projects across Africa gives him unique user-based insights into the industry.

Speaker Presentations

SA UK Agricultural Focus Seminar Programme

Water

Speaker: Ashwin R Seetal

Specialist: Strategic Water Management, CSIR

Moderator: Hein Rust, Senior Audit, Forvis Mazars

Green Energy

Speaker: Chris Heinermann

CEO, GeFP Holdings

Moderator: Hein Rust, Senior Audit, Forvis Mazars

Investment Climate in South Africa’s Agricultural Sector

Speaker: Theo Boshoff

The Chief Executive Officer, AgBiz

UK SA Trade and Investment Strategy

Speaker: Arlene Wilson-Max

Director , Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC

Agriculture - Our Responsibility

Speaker: Johann Kotzé

Chief Executive Officer, AgriSA

For additional information, please contact:

Arlene Wilson-Max, Director, Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC on Cell: 079 108 0316 or Email: arlene@innovative.org.za