Meet the Farmer-Member Board
Nick Reitz — President
Nick is a Bergville-based farmer with 26 years’ experience in a diverse family farming operation, which he has grown and managed in partnership with his father. The business spans crop production — including maize, soya beans, wheat and canola — alongside a beef cow-calf enterprise and poultry production.
His agricultural experience extends beyond South Africa. Earlier in his career, Nick gained international exposure working in agriculture in the United States, followed by three years farming in Zambia. This experience, combined with more than two decades of running a diversified farming business in KwaZulu-Natal, has given him a broad understanding of both agricultural production and the realities of operating a farming enterprise.
Nick has also been actively involved in organised agriculture at local level and served a two-year term as Chairperson of the Bergville Farmers Association.
As President of Kwanalu, Nick is focused on ensuring that the organisation’s priorities remain grounded in the realities members face on their farms. He has identified strong two-way communication between Kwanalu, Farmers’ Associations and members as critical to effective representation, together with constructive collaboration across commodity organisations and the wider agricultural sector.
His objective is clear: to work with the Kwanalu Board, team, associations and members towards an environment in which farming in KwaZulu-Natal can be safer, easier and more profitable.
Rustin Shawe — Vice President
Rustin is the owner of Grassfields Beef in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where he and his family farm beef cattle. Farming has always been a passion for Rustin, and his approach combines commercial performance with a strong commitment to responsible land stewardship and the long-term sustainability of agriculture.
At Grassfields Beef, the focus is on breeding productive, hardy cattle that are profitable for commercial farmers while building a farming operation that remains sustainable for future generations. Rustin believes successful farming requires a balance between productivity, caring for the land and recognising the contribution of the people who make an agricultural business possible.
He also has a strong interest in new ideas and technologies that can improve the efficiency and sustainability of farming operations.
Rustin sees his role within Kwanalu as an opportunity to give back to an industry that has played an important part in his life. He believes agriculture remains one of South Africa’s great strengths and is passionate about creating an environment in which farmers can continue producing food, growing viable businesses and contributing to strong rural communities.
Central to his outlook is the value of organised agriculture and farmers working together to build a stronger agricultural sector for the next generation.
Richard Nicholson
Richard is an agricultural economist and Director of Brigadoon Farm (Pty) Ltd, a KwaZulu-Natal blueberry growing, packing and export business, where his responsibilities include financial administration, budgeting and strategic development. He is also developing a new farm-based distillery venture in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Richard holds an MSc (Agric) in Agricultural Economics from the University of Pretoria, where his research examined Foreign Direct Investment in South African agriculture. He also holds a BInst Agrar (Hons) in Extension and a BSc in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management.
He spent more than a decade as Manager: Economic Research at the South African Canegrowers Association. In this role, Richard led economic and statistical analysis for the sugarcane industry, managed research funding, provided financial oversight to industry committees and represented growers in engagements with government departments, financial institutions and agricultural organisations.
His research has been presented at agricultural forums in South Africa and internationally, including the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, the South African Sugar Technologists Association Congress and International Agribenchmark Network conferences.
Earlier in his career, Richard worked in agricultural investment research at EmVest Asset Management and developed a training and consulting division at NOSA Agricultural Services. He also provides independent economic consulting to the Sugar Cane Growers of Mazabuka in Zambia.
Based in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Richard brings extensive economic, financial, research and agribusiness expertise to the Kwanalu Board.
Jenni Robinson-Rosewall
Jenni is a hands-on commercial livestock farmer based just outside Dundee, with more than three decades of practical farming experience.
Her agricultural career began in 1994 when, immediately after matriculating, she joined her father on the family farm. She later gained international farming experience in Australia before returning to South Africa, where she farmed alongside her father for 17 years. Following his passing in 2021, Jenni assumed full responsibility for running the farming operation.
Today, she manages a substantial commercial livestock enterprise comprising approximately 1,200 predominantly Beefmaster cattle, 100 pure Afrikaner cows and a flock of approximately 450 Dormer ewes.
Committed to continually developing her agricultural knowledge, Jenni has completed a number of specialised short courses through Cedara College.
Her commitment extends beyond her own farming operation. Jenni has been actively involved with the Dundee Farmers Association since 2018, as well as the Dundee Farmers Union, and is currently serving her second tenure as Chairperson of the Farmers Association.
Jenni brings extensive practical livestock experience, first-hand knowledge of managing a commercial farming operation and strong grassroots agricultural leadership to the Kwanalu Board.
Robert Gurney
Robert has spent more than three decades building a diverse career in agriculture. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Natal in 1988, he began farming sugar cane in the Eston area the following year.
Over time, Robert expanded the farming business through the acquisition of his own farm and neighbouring properties. His agricultural interests today span sugar cane, beef and timber. He has also supported local land reform initiatives through the sale of farmland to Community Trusts, continuing to manage and farm this land under lease agreements.
Robert’s agribusiness interests extend beyond primary production. In 2003, he expanded into agricultural logistics and today operates a fleet of ten haulage vehicles transporting sugar cane to mills including Eston, Noodsberg and Sezela. His agricultural experience also extends beyond South Africa through his involvement as a partner in a macadamia farming venture in northern Mozambique.
Robert has a long history of service to organised agriculture. His leadership experience includes serving on the Kwanalu Board and the Agricultural Employers Organisation, as well as the executive of the Beaumont Eston Farmers Association, including a term as Chairman.
He has also held leadership roles within the Illovo Planters Group, Eston Local Grower Council and Beaumont Eston Farmers Club.
Robert brings extensive practical farming, agribusiness, logistics and organised agriculture experience to Kwanalu.
Tim Lee
Tim is a lifelong agriculturalist who has spent his farming career in the Bergville area, working alongside his family and contributing to the development of both their farming operation and the wider agricultural community.
His practical farming experience has covered several sectors. Tim initially helped develop the family dairy operation into a more diversified agricultural business and was also involved in co-founding Farm Save, a prominent local agricultural co-operative in Bergville.
Following the successful sale of the co-operative, Tim transitioned away from dairy production to focus his attention on a farming operation encompassing beef cattle, maize and sheep.
His practical agricultural experience is supported by formal training. After attending Michaelhouse, Tim completed an agricultural diploma at Cedara College of Agriculture.
Tim has also played an active role in organised agriculture and community leadership. He served for several years as Chairperson of the Bergville Farmers Association and continues to contribute to the association through responsibility for its security portfolio.
His combination of practical production experience, agricultural business development and longstanding involvement in his local Farmers Association brings a strong grassroots perspective to the Kwanalu Board.
Angus Williamson
Angus is a Mooi River farmer with extensive experience in livestock production, the animal feed industry and organised agriculture.
He farms Brangus cattle in the Mooi River area and has spent 35 years working in the animal feed business. His specialist knowledge of the livestock sector also includes serving as a Brangus cattle breed inspector and judge.
Angus has a substantial record of leadership and representation within agriculture. He has served three terms as Chairperson of the Mooi Mpofana Farmers Association and has held senior leadership roles within the red meat sector at both provincial and national level.
He serves as Chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Red Meat Producers Organisation and as Vice Chairman of the National Red Meat Producers Organisation.
Through these roles, Angus brings together first-hand farming experience, specialist livestock knowledge, commercial agricultural experience and many years of involvement in organised agriculture.
His depth of experience in farmer representation and agricultural leadership provides valuable continuity and industry knowledge to the Kwanalu Board.
Peter-John Hassard
Peter-John is a fourth-generation farmer based in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, where his farming operation includes beef cattle, game, pineapples and row crops.
Since returning to the family farm in 1994, he has combined farming with a longstanding commitment to organised agriculture and rural leadership. He has been involved with the Hluhluwe Farmers’ Association since 1994, including serving ten years as Chairman.
In 2012, Peter-John joined the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, where he went on to serve as Vice Chairman for ten years. During this period, he also represented producers on the National RPO Council.
His involvement with Kwanalu spans a decade of service on the Board, including five years as President. During his presidency, he also represented Kwanalu at Agri SA.
Peter-John currently serves as a Director of the Zululand Conservation Fund, reflecting his commitment to conservation, responsible land stewardship and the long-term sustainability of agriculture.
With more than three decades of involvement in organised agriculture, Peter-John believes meaningful change requires farmers to participate, speak up and work collectively towards practical solutions. He remains committed to ensuring farmers of all sizes have a voice in shaping the future of agriculture.
Dr Kathy Hurly
Dr Kathy Hurly brings more than 30 years of agricultural experience spanning rural development, agricultural extension, transformation, institutional support and governance.
She is a director and co-founder of Gene-Smart, a consulting firm focused on developing sustainable solutions to complex rural challenges. Its work focuses particularly on effective resource utilisation and economic viability, with an emphasis on developing agri-entrepreneurs who can contribute to stronger rural economies. Gene-Smart also places particular emphasis on opportunities for women and youth through collaboration with organised agriculture, private-sector funders and agricultural value-chain partners.
Much of Kathy’s career has been within the sugar industry, where she managed agronomic and economic extension services and worked across land reform, rural development, institutional support and knowledge management.
Her experience also extends to senior agricultural governance. Kathy serves on the Board of Agri SA, where she leads the Ethics and Transformation Committee, and on the Board of AGDA Future Farming NPC, which focuses on agricultural training and development in Africa.
In December 2025, she was appointed to the Accounting Authority of AgriSETA, serving on its Finance and Remuneration and Governance and Strategy committees. In March 2026, she was appointed to the Council of the National Agricultural Marketing Council, where she serves on the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
Kathy brings extensive expertise in agricultural development, transformation, governance and rural economic sustainability to Kwanalu.
Sandy La Marque — Chief Executive Officer
Sandy is the Chief Executive Officer of Kwanalu and brings more than two decades of experience leading and managing organised agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal.
As CEO, Sandy is responsible for the strategic implementation, organisational management and day-to-day operations of Kwanalu, with a focus on strengthening the environment in which members and the wider rural economy operate.
A significant part of her role involves representing the interests of Kwanalu members and developing the relationships required for effective agricultural advocacy. Over the course of her tenure, Sandy has built extensive experience working across government and non-governmental structures, agricultural organisations, rural stakeholders and industry networks.
Her work requires navigating the economic, policy and social issues affecting agriculture while ensuring that Kwanalu members remain informed, represented and able to contribute to the organisation’s advocacy.
Sandy is passionate about adding value across the agricultural sector and has been particularly involved in initiatives supporting the development and participation of women in agriculture. She was instrumental in Kwanalu’s Women in Agriculture initiative, aimed at connecting, collaborating with and showcasing women across the sector.
Her long tenure at Kwanalu gives Sandy substantial institutional knowledge of both the organisation and the changing agricultural environment in KwaZulu-Natal. She brings strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, advocacy experience and organisational continuity to the Kwanalu Board.
