ROFHIWA MAKUYA
Tenure
Summary
Dedicated Agricultural Food and Quarantine Technician with extensive experience in plant import inspection, successfully preventing the introduction of foreign quarantine pests and diseases into South Africa. Ensured compliance with National Legislation and International Standards while facilitating safe trade and protecting consumers from unsafe products. Demonstrated strong communication skills and stakeholder engagement in policy implementation and program coordination.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
PLANT IMPORT INSPECTOR
BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
04.2023 - Current
- Enforced the agricultural pest act of 1983 (Act 36 Of 1983) and provisions of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
- Enforced Section 4 - Prohibition of introduction of exotic pests and diseases into RSA and Section 5 – Control measures for importation of controlled goods to safeguard agricultural health.
- Perform phytosanitary inspection of all imported regulated articles such as fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, nursery stock, cut flowers, timber and growing mediums.
- Conduct detailed visual inspection with naked eye and hand lens (10 x40x) for symptoms of pests, webbing, lesions, holes, frass, cankers, galls, rot and wilting.
- Issue Detention Orders for non-compliant consignments (Regulation R.111 of Act 36)
- Issue Destruction Orders for consignments infested with quarantine pests listed in Table 3 of Regulations.
- Confiscate and dispose of all illegal plant imports without permits at ports of entry.
- Verify validity of Import Permits issued under Agricultural Pest Act 36 of 1983, Section 6.
- Scrutinized commercial invoices, packing lists, and Bill of Entry to identify misdeclarations and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Facilitated communication with SARS Customs, PPECB, Port Health, and SAPS Border Policing to coordinate efforts for regulatory compliance and enhance enforcement effectiveness.
PLANT IMPORT INSPECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
06.2013 - 03.2023
- Enforced the agricultural pest act of 1983 (Act 36 Of 1983) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
- Enforce Section 4 - Prohibition of introduction of exotic pests and diseases into RSA and Section 5 – Control measures for importation of controlled goods.
- Verify validity of Import Permits issued under Agricultural Pest Act 36 of 1983, Section 6
- Performed inspections to verify compliance of regulated articles, plants, and plant products with phytosanitary requirements.
- Conducted inspections that included sampling and testing of regulated articles., testing and conducting surveys.
- Issue Destruction Orders for consignments infested with quarantine pests listed in Table 3 of Regulations.
- Implement ISPM 23 – Guidelines for Inspection and ISPM 20 – Import Regulatory System.
- Collaborated with SARS Customs and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with import regulations.
- Advise clearing agents and importers on Act 36 requirements
- Removed and properly disposed of illegal plant imports lacking permits at ports of entry.
Perishable Product Export Control Board (PPECB)
04.2013 - 05.2013
- Quality inspection of various agricultural products according to Agricultural Products Standard Act No 119 of 1990 - Inspections of vegetables, Subtropical and tropical fruits, grains (e.g. maize, sunflower, maize products, dry beans, soybeans and groundnuts) and flowers.
- Perishable Products Control Board Act of 1983 (Logistics) - Inspections of containers and truck loading.
- Administration work such as, weekly report and monthly for export statistics.
- Daily communication with clients (e.g. farmers and exporters).
- Advising farmers and exporters on quality and food safety standards pertaining to fresh fruits and flowers.
Internship
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
02.2012 - 01.2013
- Liaison with customs, Importers, Exporters and Agents.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to streamline processes and improve communication.
- Enforce the agricultural pest act of 1983 (Act 36 Of 1983), as well as provisions of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
- Enforced the agricultural pest act of 1983 (Act 36 Of 1983) and provisions of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
- Inspection of wood packaging material (ISPM NO. 15).
- Managed daily, weekly, and monthly reports on inspections and export certification to ensure compliance and transparency.
- Engaged in daily communication with clients to address inquiries and provide updates. (Importers and Exporters
- Conducted inspections, including sampling and testing, to enforce control measures and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
Education
Masters - Agricultural Science
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Honours Degree - Agricultural Management
University of Limpopo
Bachelor - Agricultural Science
University of Venda
National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) -
Sasa Combined Independed School
Skills
- Imported plant inspection
- Phytosanitary inspection
- Agricultural pest act enforcement
- Plant quarantine expertise
- Knowledge of pest and disease identification
- Physical inspection for quarantine pests (frass, lesions, galls webbing)
- Regulatory enforcement
- Document scrutiny
- Ability to interpret and communicate the provisions of relevant legislation, policies, standards and international agreements
- International phytosanitary standards
- WTO-SPS agreement
- Practical experience in border operations, inspection and compliance
- Stakeholder engagement and agricultural awareness facilitation
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Customer service skills
- Report writing skills
- Pressure management skills
- Computer literacy: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Local governments and its relationship with national and provincial government
- Pest identification
- Quarantine control
Personal Information
- Title: PLANT INSPECTOR | AGRICULTURAL FOOD AND QUARANTINE TECHNICIAN (AFQT)
- Driving License: C1 Driver's Licence
Certification
SACNASP (South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions). Registration NO. 300013/14
LANGUAGES
English - Fluent, Tshivenda – Fluent
Languages
English
First Language
Timeline
PLANT IMPORT INSPECTOR
BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
04.2023 - Current
PLANT IMPORT INSPECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
06.2013 - 03.2023
Perishable Product Export Control Board (PPECB)
04.2013 - 05.2013
Internship
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
02.2012 - 01.2013
Masters - Agricultural Science
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Honours Degree - Agricultural Management
University of Limpopo
Bachelor - Agricultural Science
University of Venda
National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) -
Sasa Combined Independed School