Lorraine Makhura
Head of R&D
Lorraine has almost two decades’ experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG sector and is responsible for creating a healthy portfolio, and facilitating profitable and sustainable growth through relevant innovation and competitive advantage. In this role, she focuses specifically on stakeholder engagement, project and people management and incremental portfolio growth. Lorraine was previously the New Product Development Manager at Tiger Brands, driving new projects and products, implementing and applying food regulations into development pipelines, optimising processing technologies and enhancing quality support. Before this, as Senior Product Developer at Irvin & Johnson, Lorraine optimised recipes, developed ongoing pipelines and reviewed product and process regulations and legislation.
Lorraine holds a higher national diploma in food sciences and technology from the University and Johannesburg (UJ) and a packaging science diploma from the Institute of Packaging SA (IPSA).
Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn.
Monako Dibetle
Head of Sustainability and Communications
Monako is currently responsible for managing the communications and stakeholder engagement portfolios, leading McCain’s community development programmes and ensuring that the company’s sustainability reporting is in line with global company standards and targets. He also previously served an eight-year tenure at Nestle in various roles, focusing on private-public partnerships, government relations, stakeholder management, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, issues management and water stewardship. He is a journalist by trade and has worked in print journalism, parastatals and the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), pharmaceutical and mining sectors, spanning two decades.
Monako holds a Master of Philosophy in integrated water management from IIE MSA, an MDP in management and transformation from the University of Witwatersrand and a Bachelor of Technology from the Vaal University of Technology.
Connect with Monako on LinkedIn.
Kgaugelo Mokoka
Commercial Director
In her current role, Kgaugelo identifies and develops better business opportunities for improved growth. She is also responsible for maintaining client relationships, analysing current strategies, and developing improved action plans. Kgaugelo has fulfilled various marketing roles through her career, with a 23-year tenure at SC Johnson as Brand and Marketing Manager, Business Account Manager (SPAR National) and Global and Commercialisation Director. She has extensive experience in providing vision and direction in marketing and customer marketing, having worked across Africa and Europe. She is proficient in developing and leading teams to ensure growth through relevant strategy, innovation, portfolio management, consumer insights and demand management.
Kgaugelo holds a master’s degree in organisational leadership from the University of South Africa (UNISA), a certificate in advertising from AAA, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pretoria (UP).
Connect with Kgaugelo LinkedIn.
Aveshni Naicker
HR Director
Aveshni was previously HR Business Executive at RCL Foods, where she focused on sustainable profitability and the achievement of holistic business and people cohesion. As Group Human Capital Executive at the same company, she formulated and led the human capital and social development agenda, entrenching transactional processes and building transformational capability. Aveshni started her career at Pioneer Foods as Divisional HR Manager: Africa and UK Business, driving sustainable stakeholder business results, building employer brands internally and externally and facilitating appropriate organisational career progression.
Aveshni has an executive leadership development qualification from the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB).
Connect with Aveshni on LinkedIn.
Roger Naidoo
IT Business Partner
Roger is an experienced, performance-driven IT leader, possessing extensive general and information technology management skills. He currently focuses on delivering value through business partnerships as well as the creation of collaborative work environments . Roger has more than two decade’s experience within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, fulfilling roles ranging from business analyst and project manager, to team leader and head of IT. His specialties comprise operations, portfolio and programme management and strategic development and execution.
Hannelie Becker
Procurement Lead
In her current position, Hannelie is responsible for the design, implementation and management of the commercial procurement function of McCain South Africa’s inbound supply chain. Her focus also includes developing standardised procurement policies and procedures and contracts for all materials and services to realise business value and mitigate business risk. Prior to joining McCain, Hannelie fulfilled various roles at Sasol Synfuels/Secunda Shared Services, including Procurement Manager and Advisor and Business Intelligence Manager; developing and implementing supply chain intelligence strategies, visions and benchmarking and supporting BBBEE policies. Hannelie specialises in vendor optimisation, supply chain technologies, trends and best practices, contract drafting and the integration of systems, people and processes.
Hannelie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (commercial law and entrepreneurship, BBA) from the North-west University and an advanced diploma in sourcing and supply management from the Unisa Centre for Business Management.
Connect with Hannelie on LinkedIn.
Robert Mckenna
Integrated Supply Chain Director
Robert is currently responsible for purchasing, inbound supply chain, manufacturing, capital projects, environmental management, safety, quality, warehousing, logistics, customer service and supply chain planning. He is a seasoned senior executive within the supply chain field, having worked as general manager, operational executive and subject matter expert across a spectrum of roles and business functions, spanning global blue-chip companies, ranging from high-tech aviation engineering, to production, transportation and warehousing, procurement. Prior to joining McCain, he was the Planning Director for Africa at Anheuser-Busch InBev, where he managed all supply chain functions across 14 countries, and also fulfilled the role of Supply Chain Operations Manager for SABMiller’s African division.
Robert holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in industrial engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS).
Connect with Robert on LinkedIn.
IB Oosthuizen
Agriculture Director
As Agriculture Director, IB leads McCain Foods' strategic partnerships with research collaborators, positioning the company at the forefront of new variety selection and commercial adoption. His role is pivotal in identifying opportunities for enhanced potato varieties, driving differentiation, sustainability, and innovative solutions for both McCain and its valued customers.
