Lukhanyo Nkombisa appointed as a Director on the SIZA Board, representing smallholder producers
Lukhanyo’s career kicked off at DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), where he gained invaluable experience in terms of transformation – its significance, as well as critical stakeholder management tactics, to support smallholder producers.
Lukhanyo received a Human Resource Management qualification at the CPUT. He then further broadened his knowledge base by studying Project Management at NWU; Agricultural Leadership Development and Land Reform at UP; and African and International Trade at the Thabo Mbeki Institute for African Leadership. He also joined an SA contingent to study Agri-Business at the University of Missouri in the USA and participated in an exchange extension program in Kenya.
He’s held the position of Transformation Manager for the past five years within the CGA. The role includes co-ordinating extension services amongst citrus growers, co-ordinating mentorship programmes, lobbying for farmer support, engaging with government departments (national, provisional for enterprise development, district and local municipalities), as well as other development agencies countrywide to seek support for smallholders in the citrus industry.
Lukhanyo was also instrumental in the establishment of the Citrus Growers Development Chamber (a platform to amplify the needs of black citrus producers within the CGA), and later the Citrus Growers Development Company (a company that drives transformation and enterprise development in the citrus industry). He’s served as the first General Manager of the company since its inception in 2016. Lukhanyo is also participated in Operation Phakisa for agriculture and rural development; and serves on the Marketing Forum, Small Holder Support and Fruit Roundtable at DAFF.
This extensive experience and knowledge can only stand Lukhanyo in good stead when he steps into his new role as director on the SIZA board, representing the smallholder producers.