The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has appointed Dr. Boitshoko Ntshabele as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Ntshabele’s appointment, effective from February, follows the retirement of outgoing CEO Justin Chadwick at the end of March.
According to ProAgri, Ntshabele will lead the association, which plays a key role in promoting the citrus industry’s vital contribution to South African agriculture and the broader economy.
The CGA represents over 1,560 citrus growers across South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia.
With extensive experience in academia, the private sector, and the public sector, Dr. Ntshabele brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.
For the past five years, he has served as the Director of Biosecurity at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DALRRD). He was originally trained as a veterinarian and has also held leadership positions at Onderstepoort Biological Products.
Additionally, Dr. Ntshabele served as the Minister Counsellor for Agriculture at the South African Embassy to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union from 2015 to 2019.
Dr. Ntshabele expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity to help shape the future of the citrus industry, especially during this pivotal time for the sector.
“We must ensure that the projected growth in citrus production is translated into greater economic opportunities. A key to achieving this is expanding market access for our growers,” he said.
Gerrit van der Merwe, the Chairperson of the CGA, expressed the association’s enthusiasm for this new chapter in its history, saying, “We are excited to begin this new chapter with Dr. Ntshabele, he has our full confidence and support.”
Outgoing CEO Justin Chadwick also welcomed the appointment, stating, “I have known Dr. Ntshabele for many years, and I am thrilled that he has accepted the post of CEO of the CGA.”
“His ability to calmly assess and reason, as well as his diplomacy, will be a huge asset to the CGA as the industry strives to continue its growth path during increasingly uncertain times. I wish Dr. Ntshabele well as he takes the organization forward.”
Chadwick reflected on his own tenure, saying, “I have been incredibly fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to be CEO for the past 25 years, and I have no doubt that Dr. Ntshabele will take the CGA from strength to strength.”
Main Image: Dr. Boitshoko Ntshabele via ProAfri
