The research that we fund focuses on generating new knowledge, technologies or practices that are required to mitigate, avoid or overcome threats and risks and to leverage opportunities.
Our primary objective is to keep South African pome and stone fruit growers internationally competitive and economically sustainable.
Science Team
Prof Wiehann Steyn
General Manager: Hortgro Science
Dr Mariana Jooste
Postharvest Programme Manager
Dr. Minette Karsten
Crop Protection programme manager
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Elise-Marie Steenkamp
Group Communications Manager
Marno van der Westhuizen
Research Implementation Manager
Anita van Staden
Research Administrator
Dr Nanike Esterhuizen
Entomology Technician (positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Matthew Addison
Researcher in Applied Entomology
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Dr Renate Smit
Phytosanitary facility manager and researcher
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Daleen Stenekamp
Insectary Manager (positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Terence Asia
Crop Protection Technical Assistant
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Emilia Arendse
Crop Protection Technical Assistant
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Lee-Zaan Scheepers
Crop Protection Technical Assistant
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Simonay Claasen
Crop Protection Technical Assistant
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Sarane’ Henniker
Crop Protection Technical Assistant
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Steph Peterson
Crop Protection Technical Assistant
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Meagan Hendrikz
Crop Protection Technical Assistant (positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Alyssa Hoe
Crop Protection Technical Assistant
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University, PHYLA)
Hortgro Science Advisory Council
Objectives of the Hortgro Science Advisory Council
- Assist programme with formulation of strategic research planning in defined areas of research
- Identify new technologies of relevance
- Seek collaborative research opportunities across local and international research/technical organisations
- Seek funding opportunities to ensure inputs into targeted research focus areas
- Meetings as required
- Advisory to programme manager
- Stephen Rabe – Chair
- Grant Smuts – Vice-Chair
- Linde du Toit
- Frikkie Jacobs
- Raymond Koopstad
- Charl Stander
- Prof Karen Theron
- Dr Ilse Trautmann
- James Hutton-Squire
- Gerrit van der Merwe
- Graeme Krige
- Anton Rabe (observer)
- Cynthia Mahlathi (observer)