Amka Products is a fast-moving consumer goods business founded in the 1950’s. It specializes in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of Skin, Fragrance and Hair Care products, that are sold in 82 countries worldwide. Among its leading brands are Satiskin, Clere, Nimue, Sof n’Free, Everysun, Milton, Revlon Natural Honey, Mousson, Mum, Lipice and Shower to Shower. Its sustained growth over the years is attributed to continuous renewal of all aspects of the business, particularly by harnessing the collective genius of all its people and its deep understanding of the markets it serves. 

AVI LIMITED is home to many of South Africa’s leading and best-loved brands! Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and centered on the FMCG market, AVI’s extensive brand portfolio includes more than 50 brands.

Our brands span a range of categories including hot beverages, sweet and savory biscuits and snacks, frozen convenience foods, out-of-home ranges, personal care products, cosmetics, footwear, accessories and fashion apparel 

The Coca-Cola Company is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee, and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest, and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy, and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife, and AdeS. We're constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people's lives, communities, and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices, and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. 

The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud is an impartial, independent dispute resolution scheme established in 2013 in terms of section 82(6) of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The office of the Ombud is mandated to receive and mediate consumer complaints relating specifically to the consumer goods and services sector. We report to the National Consumer Commission, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and our board of directors. Our services are free of charge for consumers.

JDE Peet’s South Africa is the local South African operation of JDE Peet’s, the world’s leading pure-play coffee company, serving consumers in more than 100 markets globally. The company has a rich coffee heritage dating back to 1753 and is home to well-known brands such as Jacobs, Douwe Egberts, L’OR and Peet’s Coffee. In South Africa, JDE Peet’s is focused on delivering high-quality coffee experiences to consumers, while driving sustainable growth and responsible sourcing across its value chain. 

KFC has been part of Africa’s story since 1971, when the first restaurant opened in Johannesburg. Today, with 1,573 restaurants across 22 countries in Africa, it stands as the continent’s leading quick service restaurant brand and home of the Original Recipe® fried chicken that millions love.
At KFC Africa, we feed more than hunger, we feed potential. Every meal served is part of a bigger purpose: creating a seat at the table for everyone and ensuring that potential isn’t just seen, but nurtured. 

That commitment comes to life through initiatives that make a measurable difference. Our Streetwise Academy equips team members with skills to thrive across frontline leadership, HR, and operations. To date, we have celebrated 202 graduates across our seven accredited programmes from NQF Levels 3 to 7. In 2025, our Add Hope programme delivered over 35.5 million meals to vulnerable children. Meanwhile, KFC Mini-Cricket, South Africa’s largest grassroots cricket development programme, reached more than 120,000 young players guided by 13,000 coaches, with more than 2.5 million children reached since inception. Beyond food, initiatives such as the Ikusasa Lethu scholarships, whicih has supported 125 learners over the past five years, and youth empowerment programmes across Africa open pathways to education, livelihoods, and brighter futures.

 

Kit Kat Cash & Carry is a South African retail and wholesale company that traces its origins to Kit Kat Café, established in 1953 in the old Asiatic Bazaar in Pretoria. Founded by members of the Gani family, the business began as a small family-run café and gradually expanded into wholesale and retail operations.  

Over the decades, the company grew into one of the leading brands in South Africa's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. It operates large Cash & Carry stores across Gauteng, Mpumalanga & Limpopo offering groceries, household goods, appliances, and other consumer products.  

Today, under the leadership of the Gani Brothers, Kit Kat Cash & Carry is recognized for its customer-focused service, competitive pricing, and strong community involvement, while continuing to expand its retail footprint.  

Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. Based on combined Mars and Kellanova 2025 net sales, we are now a $65bn+ family-owned business, with a diverse portfolio of quality snacking and food products that delight millions of people every day, and leading pet care products and veterinary services that support pets all around the world. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, Pringles®, Cheez-It®, and BEN’S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles — Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom — inspire our approximately 170,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet.

For 110 years, Nestlé South Africa has delivered on its Good Food, Good Life promise to consumers, ensuring continued access to an ever growing range of established and well loved brands. Through a spirit of innovation, the company continues to deliver new and exciting products in response to the evolving needs of its customers. By building a solid reputation for quality, nutritious food and beverages, Nestlé South Africa has created a steady increase in demand for its products. 

The company understands that customers, consumers and employees choose the Nestlé brand as one they can trust. Consumers can enjoy Nestlé products from early in the morning with a bowl of Nestlé cereal and coffee, to a mid-morning chocolate break, and ending off the day with a comforting hot beverage. The Nestlé brand is a promise that reflects the reliability and trustworthiness of quality products, great service and inspired people. Nestlé's efforts are aimed at achieving its corporate ambition of being recognised as the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company while Creating Shared Value in the communities where it operates. The company's core values of diversity, trust, integrity and quality continue to guide its commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the lives of employees, consumers and all its stakeholders. 

Good Food, Good Life

About the W&RSETA 

The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training (W&RSETA) is the skills authority in the South Africa’s fourth biggest economic contributor – wholesale and retail. Established in 2000, the W&RSETA facilitates education and training through implementation of learning programmes, disbursement of skills development grants, quality assurance of learning, SMME and entrepreneurship support and enabling access to higher education through bursaries. 

Vision 

To be the leader in skills development in the country.

Mission 

To develop a skilled, capable, competent and professional workforce to transform the Wholesale and Retail Sector.

Drs Alastair Tempest is the CEO of Ecommerce Forum Africa (EFA) since 2020 and CEO of the Ecommerce Forum South Africa (EFSA) since 2016. Previously, he has served as the President of the South African Institute of Interactive Marketing and COO of the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa. In Europe, he worked for the Confederation of British Business and Independent Television in London. He was the Director-General of the European Advertising Tripartite, Director of European Public Affairs for Reader’s Digest, and Director-General of the Federation of European Direct & Interactive Marketing in Brussels, Belgium. He chaired the Self-Regulatory and Consumer Protection working party of the Global Dialogue on Ecommerce and was a member of the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) Marketing and Telecoms commissions for over 30 years.

Alisdair joined CHEP as Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa in June 2023, bringing over 27 years of executive leadership experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry. His career includes high-impact roles such as Managing Director at Mondelez International, CEO of Vamara Group, Group CEO of Lion Match, and senior leadership positions at General Mills and Tiger Brands. A seasoned business leader, Alisdair is recognised for his strategic insight and growth-focused leadership. His people-first approach encourages innovation, boosts performance, and fosters a strong sense of belonging across the organisation. As an advocate of inclusive leadership, Alisdair is committed to developing a workplace culture where every employee feels empowered, valued, and motivated to contribute. He aims to unlock shareholder and stakeholder value through transformative strategies that enhance CHEP’s tradition of delivering top-quality products and sustainable solutions.

Andrea Slabber began her FMCG journey at Vital Health Foods as a training manager and brand ambassador. Her passion for knowledge sharing led her to Trade Intelligence (Ti), where she joined as a senior retail analyst, focussing on the health and wellness retail sector. In her current role, she oversees the delivery and activation of strategic retail insights, workshops and training programmes that help stakeholders in the FMCG industry make informed decisions to promote effective trading.

Andy has been involved in the social development sector for nearly 30 years. He is currently the managing director of FoodForward SA, which he joined in 2013. FoodForward SA’s core focus relates to the implementation of their FoodBanking model, which involves the recovery of quality edible surplus food from the supply chain to address food insecurity. Andy led significant innovative change in FoodForward SA when he joined by introducing good governance, operational efficiency, financial stability, and digital technology that allowed the organisation to scale up into all 9 provinces. Andy holds an Honours Degree in Public Administration and an MPhil in Theology. He previously served as managing director of the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) for 15 years (1994 – 2013), and started his career at the Department of Health (1994 – 1998). Andy is passionate about making a difference in the NPO sector, and seeks to find innovative and creative ways to improve the lives of vulnerable people and under-served communities. He has written several thought leadership articles which have been published in the Mail and Guardian, Daily Maverick, News24 etc.

Charles is currently the Enterprise and Supplier Development Manager at Heineken Beverages. He has previously worked as a Project Leader at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Business Development Manager at the CSIR, CEO of the GODISA Trust, and COO of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA). Charles has over 25 years’ experience in the enterprise and supplier development and innovation domain and has been part of the Sustainability Team at Heineken Beverages where he has led many small business development projects with the focus on turning short-term projects into longer-term sustainable small businesses. Charles is also currently responsible for management of the Heineken Beverages Ukukhula Fund aimed at the growth and development of small enterprises in the Heineken Beverages value chain.

Darren Hele is the Chief Executive Officer of Famous Brands, Africa's leading branded food services franchisor, with an extensive career spanning more than three decades in the quick service restaurant, franchising and consumer sectors. He began his career with Pleasure Foods while completing his Bachelor of Commerce degree and was part of the management buyout team that acquired the business in 1996. He subsequently held executive leadership roles at Whistle Stop and Wimpy before joining Famous Brands in 2003. Over the years, Darren has held several senior leadership positions within the Group, including Managing Director of Wimpy South Africa and Wimpy UK, Chief Operating Officer of the franchising division, Group Chief Operating Officer and CEO of Food Services, before being appointed Group CEO in 2016. Under his leadership, Famous Brands has continued to strengthen its position as one of South Africa's most recognised and influential consumer brands businesses, overseeing a portfolio of leading restaurant brands and a broad integrated supply chain network. Darren brings deep expertise in general management, franchising, marketing, strategy and stakeholder engagement. He is widely recognised for his collaborative leadership style and passion for building sustainable businesses that contribute to economic growth, entrepreneurship, and job creation. As Chairman of the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Forum of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), Darren plays an active role in advancing industry collaboration and championing initiatives that support a more resilient and competitive South African economy. His experience in leading large-scale franchise networks and navigating complex business environments makes him a valuable voice on the opportunities and challenges shaping South Africa's future.

Dr Maanda Tshifularo is a seasoned strategist, leadership coach, author, and advocate for leadership excellence. He is a Leadership Circle Profile™ 360° Coach, Integral Coach® (UCT GSB), Certified Gallup Strengths Coach, Accredited Insights Discovery, and Integrative Enneagram practitioner. He is also the author of Lead with Super Clarity. He is the Founding Director of SuperLead Advisory, a consultancy specialising in strategy, operations, and leadership. He also serves as a Director of the GIBS Centre for Leadership and Dialogue at the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), where he is an adjunct faculty member. Previously, Maanda served as Head of Dialdirect Insurance, where he successfully led a business turnaround that resulted in the company receiving the South African Product Innovation of the Year Award in the financial services category. His career also includes management and executive roles at MTN SA, Discovery Health, and 1Life Insurance, as well as strategy consulting experience with Deloitte Consulting and McKinsey & Company. Maanda holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Finance from the University of Johannesburg and completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School. He is the host of the SuperLead Podcast and an experienced summit moderator, facilitator, and speaker, with a strong passion for developing leaders and advancing leadership excellence.

Dylan Piatti is Managing Director at Advantage Group International in Africa, working with leading suppliers, distributors, and retailers to drive competitive advantage through stronger partnerships. Ex-Vice President of a European Chamber of Commerce, former Chair of the Ecommerce Forum Africa, experience working with Government and private sector, a B20 Task Force member shaping global digital policy - Dylan brings startup agility and a decade at Deloitte to explore digital transformation, human-centric engagement, and how African businesses can grow through data-driven insights.

Ebrahim has 7 years’ experience in management and executive roles in the Consumer Goods industry, combined with 16 years of consulting experience with global consulting firms. He has consulted on strategy, transformation, digital, growth and business improvement challenges for clients in the Consumer Goods, Manufacturing and Public sectors, working extensively across the African continent, and also in Europe, Latin America and the US.​

Kgomotso “KG” Malatse is the Digital Director for KFC Africa, leading the digital strategy across 22 markets and shaping how one of Africa’s most recognized brands uses technology, data and customer experience to drive growth. Her portfolio spans digital commerce, loyalty, customer data, kiosks, aggregators and emerging channels, with a focus on creating connected experiences that make it easier and more rewarding for customers to engage with KFC. KG brings extensive experience across digital, payments and financial services, having held leadership roles at Woolworths Financial Services, Standard Bank, Nedbank and Engen before joining KFC. She is passionate about the intersection of technology, customer behavior and commercial growth, and how brands can use digital to build deeper customer relationships while creating measurable value for both customers and businesses.

Mario I Garcia, is the Vice President and Managing Director of Coca-Cola South Africa. He previously served as Vice President, Customer & Commercial Leadership, Coca-Cola Africa Operating Unit and brings more than 23 years of a strong career building Franchise and Commercial capabilities across the Coca-Cola System in Latin America. He carries extensive experience from a range of senior operational and commercial roles across the Coca-Cola Company, where he has led complex businesses, advanced route-to-market capabilities, and delivered sustained performance in multiple markets. His career started in Mexico in Finance in 2001, and he continued to gain responsibilities in Market Development and RGM Execution & Segmentation for different markets in the country. He has also held roles in Route-to-Market, Commercial and Consumer Strategy, New Revenue Streams and Market Development, and also served as a General Manager in Brazil and other regions. Most importantly, Mario is highly focused on people – he has a strong track record of building high levels of engagement in his teams, continuously inspiring them during these dynamic times.

Nyala Moyo, who studied Commerce and Management at Nelson Mandela University and earned an MBA from Warwick Business School, is a respected FMCG leader with extensive experience driving sustainable growth, building high-performing teams, and leading transformation across complex consumer goods markets. As General Manager of Danone Southern Africa, Nyala leads the company's growth strategy, operations, and sustainability agenda, guided by the Danone Impact Journey, which integrates business performance with positive societal and environmental impact. Through this approach, Danone strives to bring health through food to as many people as possible while advancing progress across key pillars, including Health, Nature, People, and Inclusive Growth. Passionate about collaboration, people development, and creating shared value, Nyala believes that business growth and sustainability are mutually reinforcing. He is a strong advocate for partnerships that address social and environmental challenges while delivering meaningful business outcomes. Today, Nyala will share insights on how businesses can turn waste into value and measurable impact through collaboration, innovation, and circular economy thinking. Drawing on Danone's Impact Journey, he will highlight how initiatives such as Danone’s Tubs2Classrooms project reduced packaging waste while creating learning opportunities for children in under-resourced communities. He will also explore the role of industry collaboration in addressing food waste through partnerships such as FoodForward SA, the CGCSA Food Donation Guidelines, and consumer education on food date labelling. His inputs demonstrate how businesses can create measurable environmental, social, and economic impact while contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future for South Africa

LIB Foods (Pty) Ltd is a South African food and beverage manufacturing company founded by two entrepreneurs who turned a retrenchment setback into an R800 start up story of resilience. Built on passion, grit, and a deep love for the beverage and food industry, LIB Foods produces locally crafted food and drink brands designed to serve diverse consumer markets across the FMCG sector. At the heart of LIB Foods is Loxion Fruits Beverages, a flagship 100% fruit juice blend born in the streets of Dobsi and now supplied in over 16 stores – from Meat Express outlets in the CBD to independent SPARs, wholesalers, and supermarkets. Loxion Fruits delivers high quality, vitamin rich, enzyme preserving juice with real fruit taste and seven unapologetically delicious flavours. More than a beverage, Loxion Fruits represents Kasi drinking culture – the hustler at the car wash, the mama selling veggies in the heat, the taxi driver on the move, the student chasing dreams. It’s a brand built for everyday South Africans who embody possibility and ambition. LIB Foods is scaling toward becoming a preferred supplier of quality food and beverage products across grocery groups, retail chains, and national FMCG markets, with a vision to take iJuice Ya Se Kasi from township roots to national shelves and global markets.

P’s Potato Chips is a South African premium snack brand rooted in kasi culture and built for national scale. The company blends bold township flavour with modern luxury packaging, offering a lineup that includes Sour Cream, Salt & Vinegar, Chutney, Pepper, and Paprika. Its resealable, high-end packaging and strong cultural identity has set it apart in a market dominated by large FMCG players, meeting rising demand for authentic, locally inspired brands. Aimed at young professionals, and lifestyle-driven consumers, P’s Potato Chips is designed for both retail shelves and influencer appeal. The brand’s growth strategy focuses on partnering with established manufacturers, expanding into national retailers, and scaling distribution across spaza shops, supermarkets, and hospitality venues. With revenue streams spanning retail, wholesale, events, and private-label collaborations, the business is positioned for strong scalability. P’s Potato Chips represents a culturally influential, premium kasi brand ready for national and future SADC expansion.

Philip Nieman is the General Manager for Mars Snacking South Africa, leading one of the country's most iconic snacking portfolios. Previously serving as General Manager and Executive Director of Kellogg’s South Africa since December 2021, Philip successfully led the business through a period of significant transformation, while maintaining strong commercial performance, customer partnerships and operational excellence. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, Philip has built an impressive career across some of South Africa's leading consumer businesses, including SABMiller, Coca-Cola, McCain Foods, Kingsley Beverage, Coega Food Group and Tiger Brands. His expertise spans commercial, strategy, sales, marketing, exports, business transformation, and leading high-performing teams through periods of growth and change. During his tenure at Kellogg’s, Philip championed sustainable business growth, strengthened strategic customer relationships, and advanced the company's purpose-led agenda through initiatives such as the Better Days Promise. He also oversaw the South African business through major transformations, ensuring business continuity, employee engagement, and positioning the combined organisation for long-term success. Today, Philip leads Mars Snacking South Africa with a focus on driving sustainable growth, accelerating innovation, strengthening customer partnerships, and creating meaningful value for consumers, associates and communities in which the business operates.

Priyan has spent close to two decades in South African consumer goods and retail, across Unilever, Kimberly-Clark, Danone and now Smollan. His career has run from the shelf to the boardroom. He started in category and key account roles, learning first-hand how shoppers buy and how retailers decide. From there he rose to lead commercial strategy on executive committees of multinationals. Along the way he has introduced new brands into the market and defended established ones against aggressive competitors. He has built revenue management and insights capability where none existed, and turned support functions into ones that shape the business's decisions. The landscape that Priyan see's as the one with the most opportunity is where complexity hinders: where teams work apart, where process hasn't kept pace, or where the strategy itself isn't yet clear. He brings clarity, and not only enough to fix today's problem. He sets the business up for where it needs to go, in a way that others can repeat. Priyan lives and thrives with the Client at the heart of what we do - as simple as it is, its still the one fundamental truth that needs to continuously ground us amidst the challenging landscape and economically challenging playground

Queen Vhulahani-Munyai is the Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO), where she leads initiatives to advance consumer protection, strengthen alternative dispute resolution, and promote fair and ethical business practices across South Africa's consumer goods and services sector. A strategic and values-driven leader, she brings extensive expertise in financial management, corporate governance, consumer affairs, dispute resolution and institutional leadership. She holds an MBA from the University of South Wales and a BCom in Financial Accounting from the University of Pretoria, complemented by postgraduate qualifications in Taxation, Forensic Auditing and Commercial and Contract Law. A respected speaker on consumer rights, ombudship, and alternative dispute resolution. Queen contributes to academic, industry, and leadership platforms. She is actively involved in governance and mentorship and supports the development of young people, particularly girls, through the Vhaswa Mentorship Foundation.

Richard brings more than 25 years of commercial leadership in the FMCG and retail sector across South Africa and Namibia. He has held senior leadership roles at a large global multinational, a leading local manufacturer and major national distribution businesses. Along the way he has built and led high-performing sales teams, opened significant retail partnerships and designed route-to-market models that deliver measurable results. An entrepreneurial flair has run through Richard's whole career, and he has now put it to work as co-founder of Refreshi Exchange, a business he has built from the ground up. Richard is passionate about practical, collaborative solutions that strengthen South Africa's consumer goods value chain.

Siv Ngesi is one of South Africa's most recognisable entertainers — actor, TV host, comedian and competitive pole-dancer — who built a second, very different career out of a problem he refused to call "someone else's issue": period poverty. What began roughly a decade ago as a sanitary pad drive is now one of Africa's largest menstrual health operations, distributing an estimated 1.6 million pads a month to around 120,000 girls. Unwilling to keep depending on other manufacturers, Ngesi personally saved close to R10 million over four years and opened his own factory in Paarl — reportedly the largest privately-owned sanitary pad facility in Africa, producing 450–650 pads a minute and employing around 20 women. The MENstruation Foundation, co-founded with Marius Basson, recently received a R13 million donation to scale further. Ngesi is known for his directness on why a man leads this fight: "if men bled once a month, sanitary products would be free" — and for being equally candid about grief, masculinity and what he calls the responsibility that comes with belief in yourself.

Thando Ntshinga brings almost two decades of expertise in strategic research, analysis, operations, and project management across the Financial Services and FMCG sectors. Her career is defined by a strong ability to translate complex insights into actionable strategies that drive business impact. Currently serving as Director of Market Enablement at Advantage Group International (AGI), with a presence in over 45 countries, Thando leads initiatives that empower market teams with the tools, training, and frameworks needed to scale operational excellence. Her work bridges global strategy with local execution, focusing on optimising operations, building capability, and driving adoption of best practices and technologies. Prior to this, Thando spent 7 years in Program Management at AGI’s South African office, where she successfully translated client needs into tailored program designs. She led the launch and execution of programs across Grocery, Liquor, General Merchandise, and Private Label sectors, earning a promotion to Director within three years. Thando is also the founder of e-Volving, a boutique consultancy that delivers strategic research, operational, and project management services to both local and international clients in Financial Services and FMCG sectors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management, an MDP from Wits Business School along with several certifications including Media Skills (ABN) and Television Presenting (SABC/Media Concepts). A passionate communicator and performer since her school days, Thando is a seasoned MC who regularly hosts corporate and social events. She is deeply committed to mentoring young adults and intrapreneurs. Thando’s facilitation style is engaging, insightful, and people-centred—driven by her belief in leaving the world better than she found i

Mama Tee’s Beverages (Pty) Ltd is a South African, female owned company that produces authentic, ginger based drinks inspired by indigenous traditions. The business is committed to quality, natural ingredients, and community empowerment, as reflected in the line: “Every product we create is carefully developed using natural ingredients, free from artificial enhancers.” The company is innovating traditional ginger beer into a modern, ready to drink range with multiple flavours while working towards full value chain ownership – from growing ginger to brewing and distribution. It also aims to expand into new products such as ginger based sports drinks and iced teas, aligning with its goal to “cultivate and harvest our own ginger”. Driven by excellence, authenticity, and social impact, Mama Tee’s Beverages strives to become a trusted African brand rooted in culture, wellness, and sustainability.

Tom Mkhwanazi has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Wholesale & Retail SETA (W&RSETA) since February 2019. His career began as an educator in Durban and he has since held a wide range of positions across various organisations and has served on various boards and councils. He has a wealth of experience in the Public Sector, having held various positions in different levels for over 33 years and more than 16 years in strategic leadership roles. Mkhwanazi’s academic achievements include a BA honours and an HDE from the University of Durban Westville, as well as various post-graduate diplomas in Public Management, Labour Law, Interpreting and Drafting of Contracts and Corporate Law and certificates in Monitoring and Evaluation and Pension Fund Law through various institutions.

Tshego Modise is a Retail Analyst at Trade Intelligence, where she specialises in providing insights into South Africa's corporate FMCG retailers, as well as the dynamic independent grocery sector. Tshego holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours degree in International Relations and has extensive research experience, serving as a Research Team Lead at Woodbridge International and a Research Analyst at Deal Leaders before joining the Trade Intelligence team.

Zanele Morrison is a true hyphenate experienced in corporate across various industries, as an executive, board member, broadcaster, fundraising director and expert conversationalist. Her fascinating journey thus far has taken her into boardrooms across the spectrum and helped develop Zanele’s trademark insights, industry expertise and skill in extracting the right conversations. With wit, warmth and a winning personality, she is the perfect person to host conversations with leading figures in the social, developmental and corporate environments. This adds a wealth of experience to her ability to moderate business and social issue conversations whilst sharing her vast expertise. Her current role as a Fundraising Director for the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital, Board Member for CII Africa and Business Anchor on CNBC Africa. Zanele is passionate about always adding value, making a difference, and striving for world class standards in collaboration with others. The first decade of her career, while studying, she chose the entrepreneurial path, consulting across various industries. These include Media and Management, Television, Facilitation, Leadership, Change and Transformation. The second part goes into local and global companies, starting with Vodacom, Accenture, EY, Mindcor Consulting and ultimately with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) as the Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs. As a true hyphenate she has the unique ability to participate in various business pursuits, thus, there is plenty to talk about. The continent of Africa belongs to its people, who know what it needs, and can solve for themselves. Her Purpose and Dream is to give Hope, to Share Africa’s narrative and help inspire those who must grow the continent, In Conversation with Zanele Morrison.

Zanele is the Chief Legal Counsel for Sub-Saharan Africa at Mondelēz International. With over 20 years of post-qualification experience, she provides strategic legal leadership to the Sub-Saharan Africa business unit. She oversees all legal matters for the region, including mergers and acquisitions, commercial deals, joint ventures, corporate governance, board advisory, company secretarial functions, regulatory compliance, litigation management, intellectual property protection, and enterprise risk management. Her career spans some of the most respected multinational organizations operating in Africa, including The Walt Disney Company, MultiChoice, Anglo American, BP Southern Africa, and Sasol. She has held progressively senior legal roles across media, entertainment, mining, energy, and FMCG sectors, building deep expertise in regulatory compliance, litigation management, intellectual property, technology law, and cross-border transactions. Zanele is recognized for her ability to navigate complex and evolving regulatory environments across the African continent. At Disney, she led the legal and regulatory workstreams to prepare for the implementation of the Disney+ launch across Sub-Saharan Africa. At Anglo American, she co-managed the landmark Silicosis Class Action Litigation that resulted in an industry-wide settlement. At MultiChoice, she independently finalized technology transactions valued at over $30 million annually and transitioned into leading a 73-person technology shared services division. She holds an LLM from the University of Michigan (USA), an LLM from the University of Natal, and an LLB from the University of Natal. Her executive development includes programmes at INSEAD (France) and the Gordon Institute of Business Science. She is an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, a Franklin Thomas Fellow, and currently serves as a Director of Mondelēz South Africa (Pty) Limited and Trustee of the Mondelēz South Africa Retirement Fund.

Zinhle Tyikwe is the Chief Executive Officer of GS1 South Africa, where she leads with strategic clarity, institutional integrity, and a deep commitment to inclusive advancement. Her career spans more than two decades in human resources and executive management, marked by a consistent focus on unlocking potential, driving transformation, and elevating women within the consumer goods sector and beyond. Since joining GS1 South Africa in 2013, Zinhle has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s culture and strategic direction—first as Executive for Human Resources and Communications, and now as its CEO. Her leadership is grounded in academic excellence, holding two honours degrees in Human Resources Development and Industrial Psychology & Organisational Development from UNISA, and an MBA from the University of South Wales. Zinhle’s influence has extended across sectors through her previous board roles with the Wholesale and Retail SETA and the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, where she contributed to national skills development and healthcare governance. She continues to lend her voice to strategic transformation as a member of the SAB Sharp Advisory Board, helping guide responsible industry practices and community impact. As we honour the theme Empowering Women, Empowering the Future in this year’s Women Colloquy, Zinhle embodies the principle that empowered women are architects of progress. Her leadership is not only institutional—it is generational. And at the heart of her journey is her role as a mother to Wongalamasengwa and Zimkitha, where her passion for growth, development, and nurturing the future finds its most personal and profound expression.

AssureCloud, a member of CTI Group, is a Testing, Inspection, Certification and Training partner to the food and agriculture sector. We work with organisations across the value chain, from primary production and processing to manufacturing, distribution, retail and hospitality. Our work helps our clients protect consumers, safeguard their brands and access local and international markets with confidence.

BDO South Africa is one of the country’s leading professional services firms, providing Audit, Tax, Advisory and Business Services & Outsourcing solutions to organisations across the consumer markets, retail and FMCG sectors. We work with manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and consumer brands to help them navigate a rapidly evolving operating environment shaped by changing consumer behaviour, supply chain disruption, digital transformation, regulatory complexity and cost pressures.

Our multidisciplinary team combines deep industry knowledge with practical, commercially focused solutions that support growth, resilience and long-term value creation. From financial reporting, governance and risk management to transaction support, technology enablement, ESG considerations and operational improvement, we help businesses make informed decisions with confidence.

As trusted advisers to some of South Africa’s most recognised consumer-facing businesses, BDO is committed to delivering insight-driven solutions that help organisations stay competitive, sustainable and future-ready in a dynamic market. 

Deposita empowers businesses to digitise payments and operations with tailored hardware, software, and integrated technology solutions. Our connected infrastructure provides complete visibility and control over payment acceptance, transaction reconciliation, reporting, and physical cash management – giving you total clarity from the moment cash enters your business until it clears in your account. 

Founded in 2025 and housed in a modern campus in Parktown North, Johannesburg,
Flintwood Academy was built on a single conviction: South African youth deserve
education that works. We blend classroom instruction with real-world simulated
environments — commercial kitchens, computer labs, nail studios — so every graduate
emerges job-ready, not just qualified.
Our motto, Scientia Et Virtus — Knowledge and Virtue — guides everything we do. We
believe that deep competence and strong character are inseparable, and we build both
in every student who walks through our doors.

Foundation FSSC is a leading global non-profit and independent Certification Scheme owner. Since 2009, we have been dedicated to continuous improvement of global food safety with our FSSC 22000 Scheme, and in 2022, we expanded our scope to social responsibility with FSSC 24000 certification.

 

We support the consumer goods industry and related supply chains in implementing ISO-aligned management systems, reaching their certification objectives, and helping to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through a robust integrity program and an advanced assurance platform, we provide trust and impact to our licensed partners.

IZI is a leading security and cash management solutions provider, delivering integrated services across the full cash cycle and broader risk environment. With a national footprint of 44 facilities, IZI combines cash-in-transit, cash processing, on-site cash solutions, guarding, and advanced security technology to help businesses operate safely and efficiently.

 

Built on decades of industry expertise, IZI partners with retailers, financial institutions, and commercial clients to provide tailored solutions that improve visibility, reduce risk, and optimise cash flow. Through innovation, operational excellence, and a customer-centric approach, IZI is redefining security and cash management.

LTL Group & Associates is a trusted South African partner in food safety, compliance, auditing, inspection and laboratory testing, supporting businesses across the food, hospitality, manufacturing, agricultural and retail sectors.

Through LTL Audit & Inspection, we provide independent audits, inspections and compliance assurance to help businesses identify risks, strengthen processes and maintain industry standards.

MLS Labs, our national laboratory division, is ISO 17025 accredited through SANAS and A2LA, with laboratories in Midrand, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal. We provide reliable microbiological and chemical testing, supported by independent sampling and sample collection. Our focus is on accurate results, advanced technology and efficient turnaround times, including preliminary findings within 48 hours where applicable.

Together, LTL Group & Associates provides a farm-to-fork approach to food safety, helping businesses protect their products, customers and brands through practical, reliable and cost-effective solutions.

Sedibe Mabele a Ting is a proudly South African, women-owned food business specialising in fermented sorghum. Founded by two sisters, Sedibe combines traditional African food heritage with modern convenience, producing dry and liquid fermented sorghum for consumers who love the taste and tradition of ting but want an easier way to enjoy it.  

TracePack, a proud division of Mitas Corporation, stands at the forefront of innovation in marking, identification, traceability, automation, and authentication systems. Specialising in the FMCG, packaging, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and related industries, TracePack offers a comprehensive range of solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses.

From continuous and thermal inkjet printers to laser coding solutions and large-character printing, TracePack provides the right tools for every application. Our expertise extends to designing and supplying robust rejection and quality control systems, including x-ray inspection, metal detectors, and checkweighers. With a focus on proven performance, easy maintainability, and low cost of ownership, our modular systems can combine multiple inspection elements into one seamless solution.

At TracePack, we understand the importance of end-to-end marking, identification, and coding. Our wide range of labellers and print-and-apply systems ensures that we can handle all your needs, from the exit of the filler to palletisation. Our in-house automation solutions allow us to manufacture custom-built conveyors and effortlessly integrate marking, coding, and labelling systems into your production lines.

Our commitment to quality and innovation is reflected in our partnerships with international labelling, laser, and printing equipment leaders. These collaborations enable us to deliver high-quality solutions and roll out your business's ultimate rejection and quality control systems.

 

Finding the right funder can be time-consuming and confusing, with differing requirements, unclear eligibility and repeated applications. Women Scaling Africa makes this process quicker and easier by matching businesses with funders suited to their needs and growth stage. Our Funding Fit Check identifies relevant financing options for working capital, equipment or expansion. We streamline the journey through targeted funder matching, clear document requirements and focused application guidance. Businesses use us to save time, reduce guesswork and access suitable funding opportunities with prompt feedback and efficient turnaround. Finance that fits where you are.