After an intense day of culinary competition, the finalists for the 2024 RCL FOODS Young Chefs & Bakers Challenge have been announced. A total of 60 chefs competed simultaneously in three cities across the country, with 10 teams competing in both Johannesburg and Durban, and 10 teams in Cape Town. Each team brought passion, precision,
The excitement is building as RCL FOODS proudly announces the semi-finalists for the highly anticipated RCL FOODS Young Chefs & Bakers Challenge. In less than a week, the semi-finals will take place, showcasing the skills, creativity, and passion of the next generation of culinary talent from across South Africa. This year’s competition is fiercer than
At RCL FOODS, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is not just a strategy but a core value, and we are committed to bring it to life. We believe that by empowering women, We Grow What Matters for our employees, our business, and our communities. These initiatives are more than just programmes; they are pathways
Culinary enthusiasts across South Africa are gearing up for another exhilarating edition of the RCL FOODS Young Chefs & Bakers Challenge, set to discover and celebrate the nation’s brightest young culinary talents. Following the resounding success of last year’s competition, which crowned Catherine Sainsbury and Robert Zituta from Silwood School of Cookery as champions, this
Over the course of our careers, many of us will choose a profession based on our skills, talents and hopes for the future. But for Siwe Mamba, another remarkable human of RCL FOODS, it’s always been about chasing and, most importantly, choosing joy. With her purpose to be positive and share her positivity wherever she
Bread is one of South Africa’s staple foods, and despite a challenging market, RCL FOODS’ Baking business is on the rise. “The baking industry as a whole has faced a very difficult past three years, with the significant increase in commodity prices impacting the end-pricing for consumers who’re already financially challenged,” says Daryl Milne, Managing
Life Simplified. These are two words that come to mind when we think of Nomathamsanqa Mdlazi, Noma to her friends, a fellow Human of RCL FOODS. It’s also the name of her YouTube Channel that encourages her followers to live simply and meaningfully. As someone who embodies her “why” daily, we admire Noma for boldly
From overcoming loss to leading with purpose, Tshepo Monyitshwale’s story is one of remarkable resilience and accountability. Losing his father at a young age, Tshepo had to rebuild his confidence and learn valuable lessons about perseverance far beyond his years. After completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree at the University of Venda, Tshepo was
RCL FOODS is home to over 30 household brands, from Nola Mayonnaise to Yum Yum Peanut Butter and more. But while we have many market-leading brands, we’re not taking anything for granted – and we know that we’re operating in a tough business environment. “Consumers are struggling with high inflation, and they’re looking for products
Mlu is on a mission to support vulnerable children In the tropical town of Pongola lives a man with a heart of gold – Mlungisi Ntshangase, affectionately known as Mlu. You may recognise him as a driver from the Pongola Sugar Mill. However, to the children of his community, he is a beacon of hope.
RCL FOODS’ Sugar business is deeply rooted in South African soil. “A lot of our operations are in rural areas, where we support the livelihoods of over 1 200 small-scale growers,” says Michela Cutts, Managing Director: Sugar. “We’re often both the hub and the creator of economic activity in these areas. But while we are
Elani’s inspiring career shift is a lesson in the importance of embracing change to chase after one’s passions wholeheartedly. With a qualification in Chartered Accounting, Elani began her journey at RCL FOODS in May 2020. She started her career as a Management Accountant for Speciality Bread, focusing on numbers and finance. She was clearly very
As the dust settles on the 2023 academic year, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to last year’s 40 exceptional Star School matriculants – particularly the top 5 performers: Acron Mthembu, Siphosethu Lubisi, Portia Ntimba, Soft Chambale, and Frank Lubisi. Top student, Acron, is currently pursuing medicine at Sefako Makgatho. As our top
“Food safety is not just about meeting the minimum requirements of the law,” says Najib Salim, RCL FOODS’ Safety, Health, Environment, Risk & Quality (SHERQ) Director. “We want to be best-in-class. We adhere to the highest standards in terms of food safety, and we’re driving a company-wide culture of safety.” South Africa has multiple laws
In December 2023, 21 learners graduated from RCL FOODS’ Siyabhaka Academy, receiving NQF 2 and 3 qualifications. However, the skills they acquired during the program go beyond simple qualifications. The highly specialised syllabus aims to equip students with a balance of technical knowledge, practical hands-on skills and in-bakery experience – all to make graduates as
Embracing Neurodiversity: A Parent’s Journey with Autism. Tamara Dickson, our Assistant Talent Acquisition Manager’s story goes beyond her professional role. It’s a story of love, challenges, and profound lessons learned through parenting her non-speaking autistic son, Jaxyn. As April, Autism Awareness Month, unfolds, her story is not just personal but a beacon for RCL FOODS’
RCL FOODS’ purpose is “We Grow What Matters” – and what matters to us are the communities in which we operate. Caeser Kenny, Corporate Affairs Director, RCL FOODS, is acutely aware of the role the business plays in the lives of its communities. “In areas like Nkomazi, for example, if our sugar mills weren’t there,
Born and raised – in the humble surroundings of Kamaqhekeza in Nkomazi in Mpumalanga province, Edgar Mkhatshwa’s journey reflects the resilience and determination that define his character. As the eldest among his four siblings, he carried early responsibilities, navigating the challenging landscape of rural education, often with empty stomachs and makeshift book bags. Yet, these
As a purpose-led business, we believe in seeing and doing things differently – particularly when it comes to our people. It’s why we partnered with the Nelson Mandela University to invest in the Emerging Leaders Development Programme. This programme is not simply a training initiative. Rather, it is a transitional leadership development programme curated to
At RCL FOODS, We Grow What Matters together, through our people and our unique culture, which we call Our Way. Our Way is shaped by our values, but even more so by our people actively living our values. Those values describe how we act and behave every day – with our customers, clients, co-workers and
In October 2023, amidst the grandeur of an ICC Durban event, Richelle celebrated a significant milestone: the attainment of her BCOM Degree in HR Management. On the surface, this achievement may seem ordinary, but delving into Richelle’s story unveils a story of resilience, tenacity, and unwavering determination — shaped by a remarkable individual fueled by
As a large, listed company, RCL FOODS has the reach and the resources to make a considerable impact when it comes to corporate social investment (CSI). But we wanted to achieve more than that – which is why, in 2017, we established our DO MORE FOUNDATION. “There was a strategic intention to position our CSI
A trip down memory lane with our longest-serving employee There are not many people these days who can say that they’ve worked for the same company for 50 years; Jayce Naicker, our Group Payroll Manager is one of them. Jayce is a hard worker, a solution finder, a team player and a lover of people.
At Sunbake, we’re just as passionate about freshness as we are about growing what matters. It’s why we’re invested in education and the role it plays in shaping lives and strengthening communities. Last year, the Sunbake Back-to-School campaign allowed shoppers who purchased Sunbake to vote for a school of their choice to receive a brand-new
RCL FOODS has deliberately positioned itself as a Purpose-led business to make a more meaningful impact. What does it mean to be Purpose-led, and how do we make an impact that matters?
Israel lives to make an impact Israel Ngobeni is a man on a mission. He wants to change lives for the better, both at work and in his community. It’s his way of leaving a legacy that matters. Israel grew up on a farm near Komatipoort. Money was scarce and he only started school
Stephinah is changing the narrative for girls. Stephinah Fisha started at RCL FOODS in September 2020 as a Packaging Technician Intern for our Milling site in Pretoria West. In less than a year, she achieved the position of Process Controller – and she’s living proof that young women from disadvantaged backgrounds can succeed. In fact,
Nokukhanya stands in the gap to help young people succeed Nokukhanya Ngcobo, a Pricing and Rebates Clerk at RCL FOODS’ National Office, is smart and ambitious. She completed her tertiary education, despite coming from a poor background, she’s providing for her young son, and she’s working hard to build a successful career. But Nokukhanya isn’t
Gabriel Mokgalabone is one of our incredible Humans of RCL FOODS, a man with great dreams and even greater determination. In one year, he went from being a general worker to an intern and then a Research and Development (R&D) Assistant in Pet Food. We asked him to tell us about his journey. Gabriel was
As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” We want to make a positive impact on local communities. Enter the Selati Sugar Incubator Program ‘Star Schools’. Launched in 2006 and still going strong, the Incubator Program is sponsored by RCL FOODS in partnership with