Christo van Der Rheerde - Former CEO of Agri SA
Entering the workforce as an educator in 1986, Van der Rheede has since served in various education, cultural, business, and agricultural positions. Among others, he served on the board of BUSA, was appointed by the Minister of Higher Education as the Chairperson of AgriSeta and represented the agricultural sector on the National Human Resources Council.
After eight years as Deputy CEO and CEO of Agri SA, Van der Rheede’s retirement leaves a legacy characterised by unwavering commitment and transformative leadership.
With a master’s in Public Policy Analysis, Administration and Public Leadership (MPA) from Stellenbosch University, Van der Rheede is convinced that policy can and should be applied positively. “I am in support of providing each citizen with affordable, nutritious, healthy, and sustainable food – all our policies should be measured against these outcomes. Food security is at the core of a peaceful and prosperous country. It is not possible to have progress and peace without access to food. A hungry nation is a desperate and dangerous nation,” he says.
Facilitation of research project:
Van der Rheede plans to use his new position at the UFS to facilitate research projects pertaining to policy and food security, food nutrition and entrepreneurship. “The university is well positioned to provide data-driven solutions for the challenge we are experiencing in South Africa,” he says.
“Van der Rheede’s focus on food security, nutritious and affordable food, and sound policy aligns with our vision and strategy to, among others, promote and practise sustainability, do innovative and impactful research, and participate in social justice.
Agri SA’s Editorial on Christo when he retired reads as follows:
Agri SA is very grateful for Christo’s contribution to the organisation and service to farmers. He has led both in the sector more broadly and at Agri SA in particular with skill and dignity, bringing innovative thinking to the pressing challenges facing the sector. He took the lead at a time of great uncertainty and was immediately able to reassure farmers and rebuild trust. His regular engagements with farmers’ associations and study groups were well received, enabling him to keep his finger on the pulse of the sector and to stay in touch with the issues that are important to farmers. His deft hand at maintaining relationships with the Presidency and the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, among other stakeholders, has benefited both farmers and agricultural value chain partners.
Christo’s career at Agri SA started in 2015 as Deputy Executive Director, where he was responsible for establishing and expanding various programmes in the organisation and broader agricultural environment, which included transformation, drought, Agri-Phakisa, AgriSEB and agri-development programmes. In 2020 he was appointed Executive Director of Agri SA. Under his leadership, Agri SA evolved from a voluntary organisation to a non-profit company in 2022.
Christo is recognised as an accessible industry expert and authoritative commentator on agricultural diseases. Through his continued engagement across media platforms, he has managed to favourably influence the public’s perception of the sector and reinforce the value of the sector as a pillar of the nation’s food security.
Christo’s passion for agriculture and the agricultural value chain has resulted in many interventions which, with hard work and perseverance, have led to positive outcomes. It was in part thanks to his tenacity and capable advocacy, for example, that the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which directly and negatively affected the agricultural sector, were reversed and the sector was recognised as an essential industry. Other notable achievements include the opening of the Chinese wool market; the spotlight on malfunctioning fresh produce markets, shortages in vaccines, and biosecurity gaps; as well as Agri SA’s representation in numerous important forums.
