Highland Elite Seed Potatoes — Ownership, Governance & Management
The Company has been structured to balance technical agricultural expertise, operational management capability, strategic investment capacity, and transformation objectives in line with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act.
Section 4 · Business Plan
Ownership, Governance & Management
The Company has been structured to balance technical agricultural expertise, operational management capability, strategic investment capacity, and transformation objectives in line with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act.
4.1 Shareholding Structure
The Company has been structured to balance technical agricultural expertise, operational management capability, strategic investment capacity, and transformation objectives in line with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act.
| Shareholder | Role | Ownership % | B-BBEE Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pieter van der Merwe | Founder & Managing Director | 45% | Non-designated |
| Thabo Maseko | Operations Director | 25% | Black Male |
| AgriCapital Growth Fund | Strategic Investor | 20% | 51% Black-owned |
| Free State Rural Dev. Trust | Community Shareholding | 10% | 100% Black beneficiaries |
The effective black ownership percentage is calculated at 45.2%, which positions the Company well for B-BBEE Level 2 certification under the Agri-BEE Sector Codes.
4.2 Board of Directors
The Company will appoint a Board of Directors comprising four Executive Directors and two Independent Non-Executive Directors. The Board will be responsible for strategic oversight, corporate governance, risk management, and fiduciary duties.
4.3 Management Team
The management team brings a combined 65+ years of relevant agricultural, operational, and financial management experience:
| Name | Position | Experience | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pieter van der Merwe | Chief Executive Officer | 25 years in commercial potato farming and seed production | B.Agric (UP), MBA (Stellenbosch) |
| Thabo Maseko | Operations Director | 18 years in large-scale agricultural operations | B.Sc. Agriculture (UKZN), PMP |
| Dr. Lerato Khumalo | Agronomy Director | 12 years in plant pathology and seed systems | Ph.D. Plant Pathology (UP) |
| Johan Botha | Finance Director | 15 years in agricultural finance | CA(SA), CFA Charterholder |
| Naledi Dlamini | Sales & Distribution Manager | 10 years in agricultural input sales | B.Com Marketing (Wits) |
4.4 Corporate Governance Framework
Highland Elite is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance, aligned with the King IV Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa. The Company will establish the following governance committees: Audit and Risk Committee (chaired by an Independent Non-Executive Director), Remuneration and Nominations Committee, and Social and Ethics Committee as required by Section 72 of the Companies Act.
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