Organic Expo Cape Town Conference Day 1: Friday, 28 March 2025

Conference lineup | Day 1: Friday, 28 March 2025

The Organic Expo Cape Town Conference opens on Friday, 28 March, with a compelling address by Ilze Van Skalkwyk from Western Cape Economic Development, setting the stage for a weekend of insight and innovation.

The day unfolds with Matt Purkis of SAOSO providing an overview of the Southern African organic sector, followed by an engaging SABPA panel discussion featuring industry leaders.

Attendees will also gain valuable knowledge on getting listed in SA retail with Food Lover’s Market and managing finances effectively with  Standard Bank.

The afternoon highlights include a deep dive into the Russian organic sector with Aleksandr Chumak of RussQuality and a second SABPA panel discussion, moderated by Avril Harvey, featuring insights from SAOSO and SA Honeybush Tea Association (SAHTA).

Conference programme:

10:45 – Conference opening

Conference opening address by Ilze Van Skalkwyk, Chief Director Economic Sector Support at the Western Cape Economic Development.

11:00 to 11:30 – Setting the Southern African Organic sector scene

Presentation by Matt Purkis, Joint Operations at South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO).

11:45 to 12:45 – SABPA panel discussion

Panel discussion by South African Botanical Products Association (SABPA) Board members Ulrich Feiter, Dr Thomas Brendler and Suzette Trevor. The session is moderated by Avril Harvey from Parceval.

13:00 – 13:30 – Getting listed in SA retail, the do’s and the don’ts

Presentation by Food Lover’s Market.

13:45 to 14:15 – Effective financial management at all stages of the journey

Presentation by Nokhanyo Ntshingila, Senior Manager Standard Bank Enterprise and Supplier Development Programmes and Partnerships.

14:30 to 15:30 – The Russian organic sector overview

Presentation by Aleksandr Chumak, Deputy Head at RussQuality.

15:45 to 16:45 – SABPA panel discussion 2

Panel discussion by Ulrich Feiter, Suzette Trevor and Jo-Anne Fourie, Director / Sales and Marketing Manager at SA Honeybush Tea Association (SAHTA)/The Honeybush Company. The session is moderated by Avril Harvey, Management Consultant at Parceval.  

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from top industry experts and network with key players in the organic and natural products sector. Get your tickets online today! Standard Bank cardholders enjoy 50% off at the gate—see you there!

Meet the experts – Day 1:

Avril Harvey

Avril Harvey began her career as a researcher in biotech start-ups in the UK and South Africa before shifting to technology commercialisation through public funding. As a project manager and consultant, she has advised multinationals on African growth strategies and helped social enterprises become investment-ready. Holding Master’s degrees in molecular microbiology and business administration, she joined Parceval in 2016, specialising in grant writing, project management, and supply chain consulting. A founding member of SABPA, she serves as Secretary and Treasurer, bringing expertise in NEMBA and bioprospecting legislation.

Ulrich Feiter

Ulrich Feiter, born in 1959 in Germany, trained as a horticulturist before moving to South Africa in 1982. His work with challenged adults led to a passion for medicinal plants. Trained at WALA and Weleda, he founded Parceval Pty in 1992, specialising in herbal pharmaceuticals and supply chains. Since 2002, he has worked with bioprospecting legislation, consulting on ABS compliance. He also contributes to revising South Africa’s bioprospecting laws, promoting ethical and sustainable plant use.

Dr Thomas Brendler

Dr. Thomas Brendler is a scientist and consultant with over 30 years of experience in natural product development, registration, and licensing for medicine, food, and cosmetics. An expert in botanical research and regulatory affairs, he has contributed to herbal pharmacopoeias and quality standards. He co-founded the Southern African Botanical Product Association in 2023 and has published over 50 papers. He is also Principal Scientist R&D at Traditional Medicinals and a US Pharmacopoeia expert.

Suzette Trevor

Suzette Trevor is the Lead Buyer at Döhler South Africa’s Botanical Extract Business Unit in Paarl. With over 25 years in supply chain management, she specialises in sourcing raw materials, procurement, sales, stock management, and production planning. She holds qualifications in HR, Supply Chain Management (UNISA), and CIPS. Her expertise includes supplier collaboration, negotiation, and global sourcing based on seasonal harvests, ensuring efficient procurement for the food and beverage industry.

Aleksandr Chumak

Aleksandr Chumak is an economist with a PhD in Economics from the State Academy of Professional Retraining. He has held key roles in economic development, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, primarily within the Moscow Region’s Ministry of Economy and the Russian Chamber of Commerce. He later served as Director of International Projects and Sustainable Development at RusQuality. Since 2024, he has been Deputy Head of RusQuality, focusing on sustainable development and international projects.

Jo-Anne Fourie

Jo-Anne Fourie is a dynamic Sales and Marketing professional with experience in the food and beverage industry. As the Sales and Marketing Manager of The Honeybush and a Director of SAHTA, she is dedicated to promoting sustainable, high-quality Honeybush. Her expertise spans sales, business development, and product marketing. Jo-Anne is passionate about growing the industry, fostering innovation, and connecting with like-minded partners to expand the reach of South Africa’s unique herbal infusion.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from top industry experts and network with key players in the organic and natural products sector. Get your tickets online today! Standard Bank cardholders enjoy 50% off at the gate—see you there!