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Thabang Rampa has recently been appointed as manager: Regulatory Affairs and project manager of the Milk SA regulations and standards project at the Dairy Standard Agency (DSA). She will fill this seat on 10 February 2025.
Rampa brings with her a deep understanding of food production, safety, and laboratory practices, alongside extensive experience in the interpretation and application of South Africa’s complex food legislation. As she joins DSA, her mission is to contribute her skills, expand her knowledge, and become a valuable asset to the agency.
Rampa holds a Bachelor of Technology: Food Technology from Tshwane University of Technology, a National Diploma in Food Technology from Durban University of Technology as well as a Bachelor of Law from UNISA.
Food safety is her game
Rampa’s career trajectory includes significant roles in food safety, including chief food safety and quality assurance officer at the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development since June 2016. In this capacity, she was responsible for compiling, administering, and interpreting regulations under the Agricultural Product Standards Act. She has worked on matters related to dairy products, geographical indications, edible ices, rooibos, tea, and coffee. Her experience also includes engaging with stakeholders, both locally and internationally on technical matters related to food safety and quality.
Before joining the Department of Agriculture, she was medical biological scientist at the National Department of Health from March 2015 to April 2016, where she worked on food contaminants and additives under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Additives Act. She also filled the position of QC lab technician at RCL Foods Milling Division from 2006 to 2015, where she was responsible for laboratory analysis and ensuring the quality of maize and wheat. Her experience in conducting a wide range of analytical tests, as well as managing quality control processes, has further solidified her knowledge of the food safety landscape.
Rampa is passionate about leveraging her expertise to enhance the food industry’s regulatory framework. With a unique blend of scientific knowledge and regulatory experience, she is committed to ensuring that South Africa’s food legislation remains strong, clear, and adaptable to changing needs.
Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for DSA, where she will work to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulation in South Africa’s dairy sector. – Elmarie Smit, Plaas Media
