Strategic Support Executive

Governance, risk and compliance – ensuring that Association structures that constitute SAFDA are properly set up, well capacitated and have good governance with compliance matters taken care of to ensure good standing. The Unit also provides a secretariat support to the Executive Committee, the Board and the Central Executive Committee of the Association. The Unit advises the organisation about risk and mitigation strategies.

Industry administration: SAFDA operates within a regulated environment and as such, it is part of the South African Sugar Association (SASA), an administrative body that governs the South African sugar industry. SASA is established in terms of section 2 of the Sugar Act 9 of 1978. SASA is made up of sugarcane farmers, processors and refiners. SAFDA was formally recognised in with the amended Sugar Act Regulations that were published in October 2018. As a member of the industry we have to provide oversight and participate effectively in decision-making.

Stakeholder relations and media: the function engages in strategic stakeholder engagement, ensuring that SAFDA is well represented within the industry, co-ordinating interactions with stakeholders at various levels including liaison with government ministries and parliament. The key stakeholder for the Association are farmers on the ground that make up the Association. Communication and media liaison is part of our stakeholder relations strategy.

Economic and market analysis: involves understanding the economic and financial dynamics of farming, analysis cost and price trends, advising the organisation about the economic and financial implications of decisions and participating in price determination and creation of value for farmers at an industry level.