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
Nerina Singh is one of the many amazing Humans of RCL FOODS. By day she’s our Beverages Brand Manager and her team has just introduced an exciting new brand offering: Number 1 Boost Energy Drink. But ‘Number One’ is not all she cares about. She’s also dedicated mom and selfless servant to those around her
Living on purpose – How Sohail (aged 23) beat cancer through early detection and maintaining a positive mindset. Meet Sohail Abdoola, a 27-year-old who embodies resilience and purpose amidst life’s challenges. A devoted Muslim, father, husband, avid sneaker collector, valued employee at RCL FOODS… and cancer survivor. With men’s health and wellbeing in the spotlight
We’re thrilled to share that RCL FOODS’ Sugar team won first place in the “Best Project Targeting Youth” category at the esteemed AgriSETA Excellence Awards Gala Event held on 2 November 2023. These prestigious awards celebrate the extraordinary efforts of employers within the agricultural sector who are committed to nurturing the potential of our youth
Compassion & Community Upliftment Meet Keneilwe Thabethe, who has been uplifting her community in Stinkwater, Hammanskraal for the past 8 months. Keneilwe and her mother, Rebecca began giving out clothes to teens in their community, becoming beacons of light in the midst of trying times. The overwhelming gratitude they received saw them expand into providing
RCL FOODS’ Siyabhaka Academy: Baking a Brighter Future In a high-unemployment environment, the Siyabhaka Academy offers unemployed learners the potential to secure their own futures. In July 2023, 11 learners did just that, graduating from the Academy with NQF 2 and 3 qualifications. This achievement is not just about receiving certificates. It’s about the accumulation
Meet Sbu Khumalo, a Senior Graphic Designer for the Do More Foundation. Since joining RCL FOODS in 2022, Sbu has made an impact in both the office and beyond, having recently illustrated a children’s book for underprivileged Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. In 2022, non-profit organisation, Book Dash, came to Durban, seeking local artists to
At RCL Foods, we take immense pride in fostering an environment where diversity and inclusivity are not just words but values that are woven into the very DNA of our company. These values are not just a part of our corporate culture; they are exemplified by individuals like Ruth Grantham, who recently received the Inclusive
We are pleased to announce that, earlier this year RCL FOODS’s Learning and Development Function successfully rolled out 828 employed and unemployed registered Learnership and Apprenticeships to employees and to unemployed youth in South Africa. This investment in the number of learnerships as rolled out was a 20% increase from the prior year. What’s more,
This is the story of Gloria Kgagabi, whose grit and determination took her from General Worker to Production Manager at RCL FOODS. Gloria began her journey at RCL FOODS in 1999 as a General Worker at Pies. Her career saw several transformative roles: from Production Clerk, Supervisor, and ultimately promoted to Shift Manger, where she