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Humans of RCL FOODS: Stella Mthembu
Stella Mthembu: Growing What Matters, across generations
Before Stella Mthembu ever led within the business, RCL FOODS was already part of her family’s journey.
From her father working in the animal feed division, to her schooling being supported through industry initiatives linked to our Sugar business, and even the community she grew up in being connected to the land and partnerships around her, the business formed part of the world that raised her. Long before Stella carried the title of JV CEO, the connection was already there. Today, that journey has come full circle.
Stella now works in our Sugar business as the Chief Executive Officer of our three joint venture companies established in partnership with land reform communities in Nkomazi. She is also a member of the AgriSETA board and, until recently, served as its Interim Chairperson.
These partnerships form part of RCL FOODS’ involvement in community-based cane joint ventures established through land reform. Each joint venture is structured as an equal partnership between RCL FOODS and the respective community, ensuring shared ownership and mutual benefit. Together these joint ventures support 23 communities and around 3 678 households through sustainable agricultural participation, skills development and economic inclusion
For Stella, this work carries personal meaning. “This (Nkomazi) is home,” she says.
Her role brings together communities, business and government. A big part of what she does is making sure expectations are aligned and that the partnerships remain sustainable over time. “It is not always an easy journey.” Business or work decisions often carry through into the communities where she lives and moves each day. That responsibility stays with her.
Outside of work, life is centred around family. Stella is a mother of two, and like many working parents, her time is shared between work, school, sport and home. She also enjoys spending time in her garden. It is something simple, but it gives her space to slow down and switch off from the pace of work. Every so often, she laces up for marathons ranging between 5 and 10 kms.
Her path into agriculture started with a genuine love for the field. She studied agriculture and built her career around it, later spending time in government before returning to RCL FOODS with a strong focus on development and long-term impact. That impact is often most visible during difficult times.
In the face of severe climatic shifts, from droughts to recent floods, farming communities in the region have endured, sustaining both their work and the livelihoods they support. One moment that stands out for Stella was seeing different groups of people come together after severe flooding.
Teams from government, the business and farming communities spent time working through both immediate recovery and longer-term solutions for climate resilience.
For Stella, it reinforced a belief she holds deeply.
“We have skilled people in this country. When we come together, we can build solutions that last.”
That belief carries into her role as a board member at AgriSETA, where she actively contributes to skills development in the agricultural sector, work that is continually bolstered by her passion for people and their development.
At home, that same sense of responsibility shows up in a different way. After noticing a group feeding homeless people in their community, Stella’s son asked if they could get involved. That conversation led to a family decision to start contributing their time and resources to the initiative. Since then, it has become something they do together.
For Stella, it is a reminder that making a difference does not always have to be big or complicated.
From growing up connected to the business to today helping lead partnerships that support communities, the business sector and other role players, her journey reflects the value of consistency and care over time.
At RCL FOODS, what matters isn’t just what we produce but who we impact. And for Stella that truth is something she carries into both her work and her life. “Everything starts with people and ends with people – umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” she says.
