Humans of RCL FOODS: Phillip Ngomane

One man, many missions: The story of Phillip Ngomane

If you ask Phillip Ngomane what drives him, he won’t say success, recognition, or rewards. He’ll say “mandate.”

“Once you give me a mandate,” he says, “you’ve trusted me to make it happen. No excuses.”

It’s this deep sense of duty to his family, his team, and his community that shapes every part of Phillip’s life. A Logistics Operator within the Sugar business in Malelane, he’s been with RCL FOODS for over a decade. But his title barely scratches the surface of who he is.

Phillip is a firefighter, a Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Rep, and a trustee on the TSB Provident Fund board. He’s also a father of three, a passionate rugby player, a passionate astrologer, and even an ordained priest. If there’s one thing Phillip doesn’t do, it’s stay in one lane.

A journey fuelled by family

Born in the village of Matsulu, Phillip was raised by a single mother after his father passed away when he was just a child. She worked on local farms, doing everything she could to keep food on the table and dreams alive for her children.

From a young age, Phillip knew the value of hard work and perseverance. Despite not having much, his mom inspired him to fight for what matters. That same determination carried him through school, where he fell in love with rugby, a passion that’s stayed with him ever since. Though he’s since stepped back due to injury when he last played as a ‘legend’ , Phillip still keeps his rugby boots nearby.

From Kruger to the warehouse

Before joining RCL FOODS, Phillip worked in the Kruger National Park, where a deep appreciation for nature and the night sky began to form. It was here that his passion for astrology and stargazing took root. A rare and poetic pursuit for someone so grounded in the physical world.

“I met a guy named Nick who gave me books and introduced me to the southern sky, the constellations, and stories from Aboriginal astronomy. It opened a whole new world,” Phillip recalls. “Now, when I take my family camping, I teach them about the stars.”

His career with RCL FOODS began in 2013 as a fixed-term worker in the Packaging Department. By 2015, he’d earned a permanent position in the warehouse and the opportunity to keep growing.

A guardian on site

What makes Phillip truly stand out is his unwavering commitment to safety. What started as curiosity quickly became a calling. “At first, I didn’t even know what a SHE Rep was. I just wanted to help,” he laughs.

Soon, he was completing training as both a SHE Representative and a site firefighter. Two roles that gave him purpose and aligned perfectly with his natural instinct to protect.

“I care about people. When I see a hazard, I speak up. I’ve been involved in incidents myself and made sure to report them. That’s how we learn and keep each other safe.”

Phillip has since received several safety awards, including recognition for Uncompromising Integrity, a firefighting award in the firefighter’s competition, and a finalist spot in the SHERQ Champion programme.

Wearing many hats, with purpose

Alongside his operational duties, Phillip serves as a trustee on the TSB Provident Fund board and was once part of the Employment Equity Committee. He’s also newly ordained as a priest in his church, a role he sees as an extension of his passion for helping others.

He manages all this while raising three children – six-year-old twin daughters and a three-year-old son. He always makes time for his family.

“I take leave when they need me. We go out, we look at the stars, we learn new things together. That’s important to me.”

A message to others

Phillip’s story is one of many layers, none more important than the other. From logistics to leadership, safety to stargazing, he is someone who fully commits to whatever he takes on.

His message to young people is simple: “Try different things. Even if it doesn’t pay, be there for people. One day they’ll appreciate it and even if they don’t, you’ll know you did the right thing.”