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A businessman with twenty years of agricultural leadership experience, Sibusiso Mabuza, has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP), Grain SA’s dedicated farmer development arm.
PGP is the farmer development division of Grain SA, delivering tailored support to over 5 800 emerging grain producers across South Africa.
Mabuza’s experience includes leadership roles in agriculture, finance, and infrastructure development. His new role will see him scaling transformation, empowering black grain producers, and securing food systems for future generations.
Dr Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA, said this appointment signals a powerful new phase for PGP. “He is a results-driven leader with the proven ability to raise capital, build partnerships, and deliver scalable development programmes. His track record aligns strongly with our mission to drive inclusive growth, food security, and economic resilience.”
According to Mabuza the aim was not merely to develop farmers, but to build a future of dignified participation, economic growth, and inclusive prosperity. “PGP has a solid foundation. Now, we’re ready to grow our footprint, sharpen our strategy, and deepen our partnerships. My vision is clear: To turn potential into prosperity and participation into power.”
Strong development credentials
Mabuza’s experience includes senior roles at Super Grand Agric, Numolux Group, and the National Empowerment Fund. He has secured over R50 million in project funding, led the construction and revival of agricultural infrastructure, raised capital for vaccine trials, and designed finance strategies for feed mills, abattoirs, and grain production.
A vision for inclusive growth and food security
PGP is the largest structured farmer development programme in the grain sector, supporting over 18 000 producer beneficiaries ranging from subsistence to new era commercial farmers.
Under Mabuza’s leadership, the programme will pursue a bold new vision:
- Catalyse inclusive growth: Shift emerging farmers from survival to scale, ensuring they become recognised, competitive contributors across the grain value chain.
- Promote sustainability and resilience: Train farmers in climate-smart techniques, optimise yields, and protect environmental resources.
- Expand partnerships: Mobilise support from government, agribusiness, financiers, and commercial producers to co-create a thriving, inclusive sector.
- Drive transformation: Position PGP-developed farmers to participate in policy platforms and high-value markets.
“Transformation is not just about representation – it’s about access, participation, and influence,” Mabuza says. “PGP must ensure emerging farmers are integrated into decisions that shape the grain industry. From policy to profitability, they must have a voice.”
Meeting farmers where they are, then taking them further
PGP’s development model is built on holistic support – offering mentorship, market access, financing assistance, and technical training. Its presence spans eight provinces, serving both food-insecure households and large-scale developing farms. In 2023/24, PGP supported the planting of 23 611 hectares and the harvesting of over 37 000 tonnes of grain. By 2025/26, that figure is projected to exceed 79 000 tonnes.
Empowering the backbone of rural economies
Mabuza emphasises that smallholder and developing farmers are not marginal participants; they are central to solving South Africa’s food security crisis and rural economic challenges.
“With proper integration into value chains, these farmers can drive job creation, boost food self-sufficiency, and ignite growth in neglected rural areas,” he says. “We must give them access to funding, modern tools, and markets, so they can move from surviving to thriving.”
Taking PGP further
Mabuza is committed to building on the strong foundation laid by his predecessors while introducing innovation to enhance efficiency and scalability.
His strategic priorities include:
- Leveraging digital tools to improve farmer support and decision-making.
- Expanding blended financing instruments with partners like PepsiCo, Sacta, and Kgodiso.
- Strengthening government alignment to ensure practical, farmer-centric policies.
- Driving visibility and advocacy for black farmers in all spaces of influence.
“This moment calls for urgency, creativity, and courage. The challenges are real – climate change, access to finance, market exclusion – but so is the opportunity. Through unity and innovation, we will meet it head-on.” – Grain SA Press release reworked by Plaas Media
