Fruit South Africa (FSA), the umbrella body for the country’s fruit industry, has marked a new chapter with key leadership appointments and a strengthened commitment to industry-wide collaboration. The organisation recently announced a new board chairperson, vice-chairperson, and several new directors, as it continues to play a central role in representing the sector both locally and internationally.
Effective 1 April 2025, Anton Rabe of Hortgro was appointed as Chairperson, taking over from Anton Kruger of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF), who remains on the board. Derek Donkin of Subtrop was named Vice-Chairperson. The board also welcomed new directors including Boitshoko Ntshabele, the new CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA), along with Jacqueline Maisela and Jenetha Mahlangu. These appointments are part of a broader strategy to refresh governance and strengthen the organisation’s ability to represent the collective interests of a diverse and growing industry.
The executive leadership remains under CEO Fhumulani Ratshitanga, who took up the role in June 2020. Her tenure has been marked by a strong focus on transformation, sustainability, and unity within the fruit industry’s value chain.
“Fruit South Africa maintains a sharp focus on collaboration to ensure the viability and effectiveness of the South African fruit industry. This 10-year milestone reinforces our view that by working together, more can be achieved for the benefit of our industry, rural communities, and our country at large,” explained Ratshitanga.
From Modest Beginnings to National Voice
Fruit South Africa was originally formed in the early 2000s as an informal alliance of fruit industry bodies. It became a registered non-profit company in 2013, following a wave of labour unrest in 2012 and 2013 that highlighted the need for structured collaboration between government, labour, and agriculture stakeholders. These events served as a catalyst for the industry to consolidate its efforts under a single, unified body.
Today, Fruit SA’s membership includes the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum, the Citrus Growers’ Association, Hortgro (representing the deciduous fruit sector), the South African Table Grape Industry, Subtrop, and Berries ZA. Together, these organisations represent a significant portion of South Africa’s fresh produce exports and domestic fruit economy.
The organisation’s strategic focus is guided by four core pillars: market access, transformation, government and stakeholder relations, and information management and communication.
Growing Together Through Shared Challenges
Fruit South Africa’s evolution has coincided with mounting logistical and trade challenges, particularly in recent years. Exporters have faced port delays, rail inefficiencies, and ageing infrastructure. These issues represent a serious threat to the industry’s competitiveness in key global markets. In response, the organisation has intensified its engagement with Transnet and government partners to improve the reliability and efficiency of export logistics.
At the same time, Fruit SA has played a leading role in representing South African fruit at international events like Fruit Logistica Berlin, Fruit Attraction Madrid, and Asia Fruit Logistica. These efforts aim to secure new trade opportunities and deepen existing market ties as the demand for high-quality, ethically sourced fruit continues to grow.
Transformation and Sustainability remain key areas of focus
Fruit South Africa is equally focused on transformation within the industry. In the 2021/22 season, the country’s fruit industry recorded a 12% year-on-year growth rate, producing over 6.3 million tonnes of fruit. During the same period, black growers increased their production area by 575 hectares, an important indicator of progress toward economic inclusivity.
Sustainability has also remained a key focus. One of Fruit SA’s earliest initiatives, the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA), was launched in 2008 and has since grown into an independent body. SIZA provides a unified framework for ethical trade and environmental stewardship, reducing duplication in audit systems and helping the industry meet international compliance expectations.
Looking Ahead
As it has entered its second decade as a formalised organisation, Fruit South Africa continues to act as a stabilising and strategic force for the country’s fruit producers and exporters. With renewed leadership and clear direction, Fruit South Africa remains committed to building a more inclusive, efficient, and globally competitive fruit sector.
For international partners and stakeholders, Fruit South Africa represents a unified, progressive industry, one that is steadily expanding its global footprint while remaining grounded in local development and long-term sustainability.