Food Safety: it’s more than a protocol…it’s a promise.

Rooted in science. Driven by purpose. Growing what matters.

Every day at RCL FOODS, science moves quietly behind the scenes – measured in microns, monitored in real time, and translated into the kind of decisions that protect millions of South Africans, every single day. But science doesn’t act alone. It needs minds that question, hands that steady, and hearts that care enough to turn information into impact.

Food safety lives in this space – where numbers meet intuition, and where protocols are brought to life by people who understand their power. In our plants, mills, labs, and packing lines, food safety isn’t a task. It’s a shared responsibility. A daily discipline. A quiet act of integrity that begins long before the product reaches a shelf.

For Julia, Azwindini, and Agreeneth, food safety goes beyond being a task on a checklist. It’s a responsibility rooted in science and driven by purpose – carried out with precision, guided by data, and shaped by a deep belief in doing what’s right, even when no one’s watching.

Julia Mokhitli
Senior QAT Supplier and Co-Manufactures | RCL Grocery | 17 years with RCL FOODS
“Food safety, to me, means implementing rigorous, science-based controls and verification systems across the supply chain to ensure all materials and finished products consistently meet regulatory standards and pose no risk to consumer health.”

With 17 years at RCL FOODS, Julia has become an expert guardian of quality in the grocery supply chain. Her fascination with microbiology and chemistry was the foundation of a career dedicated to protecting public health through food science. Julia’s work focuses on the quality and safety of raw materials and packaging, ensuring that every component meets stringent standards before it reaches the production line. She is proud of RCL FOODS’s proactive approach to supplier verification, leveraging systems such as HACCP, VACCP, and compliance with FSSC 22000 (food safety management system) and meeting agreed specifications.

“Science underpins every decision we make – from risk assessments to shelf-life testing,” Julia explains, underscoring her commitment to applying evidence-based controls that safeguard consumers every step of the way.

Azwindini Nevhorwa

Quality Assurance Technologist | Sunbake Polokwane | Since 2017

“Food safety is ensuring that the product is produced safely in a manner that will not cause contamination that may lead to foodborne illnesses.”

Azwindini’s journey into food science began at an agricultural high school where he discovered his passion for biotechnology and food technology. Since joining Sunbake in 2017, he has focused on hazard identification and risk control – critical pillars of food safety. One of his proudest achievements is helping to implement Sunbake’s sourdough bread innovation, where he developed HACCP plans and control measures that guaranteed safety from trial phases through full-scale production.

Beyond technical tasks, Azwindini champions a culture of safety through active employee engagement, conducting plant walks and toolbox talks to raise awareness and embed safe practices on the ground. His hands-on approach ensures food safety is a shared responsibility among all team members.

Agreeneth Malesa
Day Shift Foreman | Malelane Mill Packing Department | Since 2018

“Food safety means taking measures to ensure that our product is safe for human consumption.”

Agreeneth’s passion for giving back to the community inspired her path into food technology, which she pursued through a national diploma at Tshwane University of Technology. Joining RCL FOODS in 2018 as a shift control at Molatek, she was promoted to Day Shift Foreman in 2023, now leading the packing team at Malelane Mill. She views science as essential for safety, quality, and sustainability in food production – applying principles that reduce waste, optimise processes, and protect consumers. In her role, Agreeneth ensures packaging materials are stored under ideal conditions to preserve their barrier properties, preventing moisture or light damage that could affect sugar quality.

She actively promotes sanitation and hygiene among his team through toolbox talks and quality control measures that keep products safe and compliant with industry standards. She also highlights the complex sugar extraction and refining process – where careful chemical monitoring ensures purity and excellence. Agreeneth is diligent in applying scientific protocols daily, such as enforcing the use of food safety PPE at all plant entrances, keeping contamination risks at bay.

People-powered food safety, science-driven excellence
Across RCL FOODS, many paths lead to one shared mission: to safeguard every product with unwavering dedication. From different backgrounds and roles, we unite through the appreciation of science and turning knowledge into action. It’s this collective spirit – rooted in our belief in growing what matters – that transforms everyday work into a powerful promise to every South African table.