Dr Nonhlanhla Myeni
Dr. Nonhlanhla Myeni, an accomplished specialist in her field, assumed the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer at the Agribusiness Development Agency, effective from the 1st of October, 2023. Her journey in agriculture began at a young age, fuelled by an unwavering passion for the sector. Dr Myeni holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, from the University of Zululand. Her academic pursuits continued with the attainment of a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and a PhD from the University of the Free State.
She possesses a rich and diverse career in the agricultural field, where she has consistently excelled in various roles within the private, public, and municipal sectors. Dr. Myeni’s journey into formal employment within the agricultural sector saw her serve as an Area Supervisor at Tongaat Hullet, where she managed extension officers. Her roles subsequently evolved as she served in different capacities in the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development where she served as an Agricultural Scientist, Assistant Manager, Land Use Specialist, Deputy Manager, Director, and Chief Director for Rural Enterprise and Industry Development.
In the year 2019, she undertook a pivotal role as the leader of the food and nutrition security strategy work team. Her outstanding efforts culminated in the creation of a government food model, with a vision to enhance market access opportunities, a milestone that was successfully achieved. One of Dr Myeni’s most noteworthy achievements was her secondment as a programs manager to the Radical Agrarian Socio-Economic Transformation (RASET) Programme. In this capacity, she led the comprehensive development and implementation of the RASET program from conceptualization to realization. RASET is a provincial initiative endorsed by the KwaZulu-Natal cabinet in 2016. Its primary objective is to foster the meaningful inclusion of previously disadvantaged individuals within the food value chain.
She is an individual with a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the agricultural landscape. Her unwavering commitment and outstanding achievements highlight her significance as a leading figure in agricultural and agribusiness development.