Agri SA is pleased to announce the appointment of Johann Kotzé as its new Chief Executive Officer. Jaco Minnaar, Agri SA President, congratulated Kotzé and expressed his excitement over the new phase ahead.
“Kotzé’s appointment comes at a critical point in South Africa’s trajectory. We need leadership across so many spheres of both the larger South African society and the agricultural industry. In the coming years, agriculture will have to navigate the combined impact of challenges such as climate change, deteriorating infrastructure, decaying service delivery, rural safety, shifts in global markets and policy uncertainty.”
Kotzé grew up in a farming family in the North West province and went on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economy at the University of Pretoria, a Master’s Degree in Business Management and Administration as well as an Executive Development Programme at the Stellenbosch Business School.
“Kotzé is a creative leader with a passion for farming and the sustainability of the food system. He brings a wealth of experience as a former agricultural banker and a renowned leader in organised agriculture,” says Minnaar.
Kotzé started his career as a farmer and thereafter, he became an agricultural banker at Absa Bank. After working as a corporate banker in Mozambique, he became an independent business consultant. Kotzé returned to banking and oversaw Africa Agriculture for FNB. Since 2017, he has served as the Chief Executive Office of the South African Pig Producers Organisation (SAPPO).
“Over the course of my career, I have learned that South African agriculture commands global respect for its efficient farming practices. As an agricultural community, we need to match the natural hope that South African farmers embody with pragmatic solutions to the complex challenges we face. Looking ahead, we will have to challenge our thinking on what is realistically possible in the current business environment and position agriculture to leverage partnerships in the broader business and international community.”
“In the current conditions, we should not be tempted by frustration but collectively facilitate innovative solutions. The ethos and integrity of our structures need to create the necessary conditions and a culture receptive to change.”
“I am confident that as an industry we can collaboratively author a new narrative and unlock the growth potential of agriculture in Africa. Future sustainability is fundamentally a question of leadership.”
Kotzé will commence his tenure at Agri SA on 1 October 2023.
Source: Agri SA
