Nonhlanhla R. Gwamanda
Senior Agricultural Economist And Secondment Position AAMP: Industry Transformation Coordinator
Pretoria
Summary
Results-driven professional with over 15 years of experience in agriculture and rural development, demonstrating a proven track record in managing complex projects. Expertise in collaborating with diverse stakeholders and commodity associations ensures seamless project implementation and alignment with strategic goals. Skilled in optimizing schedules, resources, and stakeholder engagement to drive project success effectively. Recognized for fostering teamwork and adaptability in dynamic environments, contributing significantly to organizational achievements.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
10
10
Certifications
6
6
Languages
Work History
Industry Transformation Coordinator (AAMP Project)
National Agricultural Marketing Council
03.2024 - Current
- Coordinate Transformation Initiatives: Oversee and facilitate the implementation of various transformation projects, such as Economic Development Initiatives (ESD), learning and development, and youth empowerment programs like Youth Employment Services (YES).
- Overall coordination and implementation of transformation programs related to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), employment equity (EE), and skills development.
- Managing projects: Support the management of transformation initiatives, track deliverables, and maintain project documentation.
- Track performance: Lead research, reporting, and data analysis on transformation performance and contributions against targets.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: Build and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government bodies, industry associations, and member companies.
- Facilitate collaboration: Drive collaboration among industry players, such as OEMs and suppliers, to advance transformation initiatives.
- Communicate strategies: Participate in and drive discussions, meetings, and sessions to highlight progress, challenges, and strategies related to transformation.
- Provide administrative support: research and report writing. Request and collect supporting documents for transformation activities, and help with the preparation of the report.
- Strategic Planning & Compliance: Support the development and implementation of the organization's transformation strategy and action plan.
- Ensure compliance: Guarantee the industries and stakeholders compliance with relevant legislation and codes of good practice, such as the B-BBEE Act and the NAMC Transformation Guidelines.
- Managed project timelines for successful completion, ensuring milestones were met and deadlines were adhered to.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams, resulting in seamless project execution and enhanced outcomes.
- Organized and maintained project documentation, enabling quick access to important information and facilitating smoother project transitions.
- Supported successful project completion by meticulously reviewing and updating project plans to reflect changing needs and objectives.
- Prioritized and managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all met their deadlines and objectives without compromising quality.
Senior Agricultultural Economist
National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Pretoria
06.2016 - Current
- Linking small holder farmers from all the nine provinces with the market
- Implementation of the Production Schemes of the AAMP
- Designing market access models for the smallholder farmers in South Africa
- Designing high impact technical support plans for the small holder farmers, to address their technical support challenges
- Compiling business plans
- Participation in the development of the Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan of the NAMC
- Management of the contracts for appointed service providers as per the requirements of Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA), Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA) and Treasury Regulations
- Monitoring and Evaluation for Project and Programmes
- Successfully facilitating technical support for the small holder farmers, on various commodities
- Compilation of business plans
- Linking smallholder farmers with their relevant industries for technical support.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address complex economic issues and drive impactful solutions.
- Incorporated strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills to develop corporate strategy.
- Worked effectively to influence key players across private and public sectors.
- Supported thought-leadership topics to facilitate dialogue with policymakers and shape outcomes.
Project Officer
Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA), KwaZulu Natal (KZN)province
01.2013 - 06.2016
- Performed overall project management in adherence to King IV principles
- Achieved project planning, implementation, and project management (Land Reform, Communal, Co-operatives and Privately owned) projects in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province
- Management of the contracts for appointed service providers as per the requirements of Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA), Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA) and Treasury Regulations
- Managed budget for the projects in adherence to PFMA and MFMA and providing expenditure reports
- Conducted Monitoring and Evaluation for Projects
- Training and Capacity Building of smallholder farmers
- Conducted social facilitation on projects.
Assistant Director - Land Use Advisor
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Pretoria
07.2010 - 12.2012
- Administered the Subdivision of Agricultural Land, Act 70 of 1970 and other Legislation's on Land Use Management
- Administered the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 43 of 1983
- Worked with the National Environment Management Act 107 of 1998
- Administered of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA) when performing the procurement of services
- Conducted site inspections on agricultural land identified for developments
- Provided technical support and advisory services to the Delegate of the Minister on Natural Resources Management
- Prepared and presented submissions on SALA applications for the developments proposed on Agricultural land to the SALA Committee
- Successful stakeholder engagement
- Supervised and managed staff and
- Conducted Employees Performance Management and Development System (EPDMS).
Project Assistant - Capacity Building Project
United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Pretoria
06.2009 - 06.2010
- Project planning, implementation, and management
- Community engagement and project development
- Capacity building and empowerment of the rural communities
- Identification of potential projects, appraisals, and assessments
- Providing general administration support to the project
- Marketing and communications support
- Budgeting and financial management of the project
- Taking part in the midterm review of the project and
- Performed Monitoring and evaluation in the project.
Project Manager
British Government - Development Partnership in Higher Education (DeLPHE) Project, Mpumalanga Province
05.2008 - 05.2009
- Worked in the revitalization of Hlulani Project in Mpumalanga Province, funded by the British Government
- Overall Project Management in adherence to King IV principles
- Conducted project research, planning implementation and management
- Conducted research and rural community surveys to identify the suitable beneficiaries
- Conducted baseline surveys and resource appraisals in the project
- Facilitated local and international stakeholders’ engagement
- Undertook feasibility studies in the project
- Budget planning and management of the project
- Drafted business plans and proposals to source extra funding for the project
- Conducting monitoring and evaluation and
- Performed administrative duties in the project
Land Use Technical Officer
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Pretoria
10.2006 - 04.2008
- Administration of Subdivision of Agricultural Land, Act 70 of 1970 (SALA) and other Legislation on Land Use Management
- Provision of Technical support on the SALA applications for proposed development on agricultural land
- Prepared and presented SALA applications to the Subdivision Agricultural Land Act Committee
- Researched and prepared Ministerial Submissions for Ministers approval on SALA
- Provide technical support to Municipalities on the development of the Spatial Development Frameworks, Land Use Management Schemes (LUMS) and on any proposed land use on agricultural land
- Promoted sustainable management of Agricultural Land to all land users
- Intergovernmental liaison with other stakeholders and co-regulation of concurrent/other relevant legislation.
- Successfully supervised staff members
- Implemented Part of Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA)
- Adherence to the Labour Relations Act of 1998 and
- Adherence to the Public Finance Management Act 1of 1999.
Senior Programme Assistant to the Director General (DG) - Intern
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Pretoria
02.2006 - 10.2006
- Provided administrative duties to the Director –General’s office
- Assisted in the preparation of the Departmental Executive Committee DEXCO meetings and took care of support administrative functions
- Review and analyzed the Departmental Annual Report and the Strategic Plan for the 2005/6
- Attended DEXCO Stakeholders workshop programmes on Contribution of the Department in the ASGI-SA programme
- Rendered Registry services: Data Capturing of incoming and outgoing documents in the DG’s office
- Conducted Research, Planning and Policy Development on the following key projects within the DG's office:
- Accelerated and Shared Growth in South Africa (ASGI-SA)
- Agriculture’s’ contribution to ASGI-SA
- Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP)
- Land Re-distribution Policy
- Corporate image audit conducted within the department
Student Affairs Administrator
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, George Campus
02.2004 - 02.2006
- Successfully managed the office of the Student Affairs
- Performing all the administrative duties in the student affairs office
- Managed the diary of the Student Councilor and Development Officer
- Scheduled and organized meetings for the Student Affairs office
- Participated in the Marketing and promotion of the University
- Performed all the front-line duties of the Student Affairs Office
- Budgeting and financial management of the Student Affairs Office
- Attended the workshops and meetings relating to Student Affairs issues and
- Liaison with the public regarding the NMMU student affairs.
Project Manager (Experiential Training)
Tebellong Agricultural Project, Lesotho, South Africa
06.2002 - 06.2003
- Project Management, Planning and implementation
- Worked with rural communities in Lesotho, Tebellong area
- Provided advisory and extension services to the project
- Performed community and stakeholder’s engagement
- Conducted Market research and development
- Packaging and marketing of the produce
- Assisted in financial management of the project; Record keeping and administration and
- Staff supervision on production on vegetable production and hydroponics.
Education
Ph.D. - Agricultural Economics
University of South Africa (Unisa)
Pretoria, South Africa 04.2001 -
Master of Science - International Rural Development: Sustainable Agric
Royal Agricultural University
United Kingdom 04.2001 -
B-Tech Degree - Agricultural Management
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
01.2008
3-year National Diploma - Agricultural Management
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
01.2005
Skills
- Sustainable agricultural practices
- Project Management
- Policy development expertise
- Commitment to organizational objectives
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Team engagement strategies
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic business oversight
- Proficient in financing development projects
- Professional communication skills
- Market analysis and implementation
- Research and report writing
- Employee development programs
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Problem-solving abilities
- Strategic issue analysis
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Adaptability to change
- Operational leadership in administration
- Workforce management
- Project coordination
- Effective multitasking
- Effective team engagement
- Research and analysis
- Strategic decision-making
- Effective relationship management
- Effective task prioritization
- Meeting facilitation
Certification
Certificate on MOS Excel 1,2,3 – 2016
References
Khumbuzile, Mosoma, Dr., Khumbuzile@namc.co.za, 012 - 341 115, 076 062 9528, National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)
Solly Molepo, Mr., SMolepo@namc.co.za, 012 - 341 1115, 071 680 0491, National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)
Xolani Qwabe, Mr., xolaniqwabe48@gmail.com, 082 908 4660, Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA)
Bonga Msomi, Mr., BongaM@daff.gov.za, 012 319 6521 / 6446 or 084 8455 118, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Sally Story, Ms., Sally.Story@rac.ac.uk, +44 (0) 01285) 652 531, Royal Agricultural University
Awards
Award for Top Student and Best Thesis prize for my MSc in 2009,, Dissertation Title: (Redefining Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) in the context of Sustainable Livelihoods): Designing sustainability indicators that will ensure Sustainability of CASP projects.
Affiliations
- Registered Agricultural Scientist (Reg No: 200048/13) South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) from 2013 to date
- Royal Agricultural University (Former Royal College) Cirencester, England 2009
COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION/LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
- Existing Chairperson of the European Union Support Programme to the Transformation Of the Wines and Spirits Sector in South Africa (EU Fund)
- Existing Chairperson of the Staff Representative Committee at the NAMC
- Member of the Project management steering committee within the NAMC
- Chairperson of the Women Diversity Forum at the NAMC in 2019
- Member of the NAMC Extended Management Committee from 2017 to date
- Member of the NAMC Transformation Review Committee from 2016 to date
- Member of the Staff Representative Committee at the NAMC in 2019
- Member of the National Policy on Comprehensive Producer Development Support (NPCPDS) Task Team from 2020 to date
- Member of the Bid Specifications Committee at the NAMC from 2020 to date
- Member of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Technology acquisition and Deployment Fund Evaluation Committee in 2019
- Member of the CSIR Biotrade Stakeholders Forum from 2018 to date
- Member of the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development DALRRD Market Access Working Group from 2019 to date
- Member of the Stakeholders forum for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) FAO/ Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) TCP/SAF/3701 Project “Supporting the Development and Implementation of the Food Security and Nutrition Plan for South Africa”) from 2019 to date
- Member of the AgriBEE Provincial Representatives Forum Meeting from 2017 to date
- Member of the Supply Chain and Logistics Programme (SCLP) Committee - 2016 – to date
- Member of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality Essential Oils Cluster Committee – 2017 – to date
- Member of the Agriparks Committee in Amajuba District at ADA from 2015 to June 2016
- Member of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform Business Assessment Committee in 2016
- Member of the Kwa - Zulu Natal Provincial Task Team on Rural Development (OUTCOME 7) with the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Land Reform: February 2016 – 03 June 2016
- Member of the Bid Evaluation Committee at the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA) in 2013 and 2015
- Member of the Bid Specifications Committee at ADA in 2014 and 2016
- Member of the Project Management Committee at ADA from 2013 to 05 June 2016
- Member of the Development Facilitation Act 67 of 1995 (DFA) committees in all the 9 Provincial Tribunals regarding the assessments of applications for the proposed and existing developments on agricultural land at DAFF from 2010 to 2012
- Member of the OUTCOME 7 National Committee “Vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all” with the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform from 2010 to 2012
- Member of the Policy Review Committee with the National Planning Commission in the office of the President: June 2010 – December 2012
- Member of the Zero Hunger Campaign Task Team (Conceptualization and Development of the ZHC framework) at DAFF from 2010 to 2012
- Member of the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act Committee at DAFF from 2010 to 2012
- Member of the Municipalities Spatial Development Frameworks (SDF's) committee from all the nine provinces at DAFF from 2010 to 2012
- Member of the Municipalities Land Use Management Schemes (LUMS) Committee from all the nine provinces at DAFF from 2010 to 2012
- Member of the KwaZulu Natal Planning and Development Act No. 6 of 2008 review committee from 2010-2012
- Member of the Departmental Executive Committee (DEXCO) in the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries: February 2006 – September 2006
- International Society at Royal Agricultural College from 2007 to 2009 and
- Chairperson of the Christian Centre at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, George Campus from 2001 to 2003.
Timeline
Industry Transformation Coordinator (AAMP Project)
National Agricultural Marketing Council
03.2024 - Current
Senior Agricultultural Economist
National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Pretoria
06.2016 - Current
Project Officer
Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA), KwaZulu Natal (KZN)province
01.2013 - 06.2016
Assistant Director - Land Use Advisor
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Pretoria
07.2010 - 12.2012
Project Assistant - Capacity Building Project
United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Pretoria
06.2009 - 06.2010
Project Manager
British Government - Development Partnership in Higher Education (DeLPHE) Project, Mpumalanga Province
05.2008 - 05.2009
Land Use Technical Officer
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Pretoria
10.2006 - 04.2008
Senior Programme Assistant to the Director General (DG) - Intern
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Pretoria
02.2006 - 10.2006
Student Affairs Administrator
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, George Campus
02.2004 - 02.2006
Project Manager (Experiential Training)
Tebellong Agricultural Project, Lesotho, South Africa
06.2002 - 06.2003
Ph.D. - Agricultural Economics
University of South Africa (Unisa)
04.2001 -
Master of Science - International Rural Development: Sustainable Agric
Royal Agricultural University
04.2001 -
B-Tech Degree - Agricultural Management
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
3-year National Diploma - Agricultural Management
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
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