PMA's Centre for Growing Talent is committed to developing the fresh produce industry

©William Perugini via 123RF

Empowering women

At the Women’s Fresh Perspectives session, talent experts Annelize van Rensburg and Michelle Moss from Signium Africa will help attendees understand where they are focusing their energy, and how to seek balance and success in life while maintaining productivity and effectiveness.

In times where lack of leadership impacts severely on one’s personal and professional life, the words of Advocate Thuli Madonsela comes to mind.

At times we to have to stand alone with only hope as our companion. If you stand for the truth and do so long enough hope does eventually pay.

At the Women’s Fresh Perspectives luncheon, men and woman will be inspired to always stand for what’s right, with Madonsela as the keynote speaker.

"Women across the world face the exact same underlining challenges, in all levels of operation. It is vital to have a platform for women by women. CGT’s Women’s Fresh Perspectives events locally and in the USA provide exactly that in all its aspects. It is the value-add we all need to realise that women are good for business, where they are empowered to speak their truth and own it," says Princess Mogale, ZZ2 project coordinator.

The Fruit Farm Group South Africa, senior commercial manager: subtropicals, Alta van Eeden, who attended a number of Women’s Fresh Perspectives events, obtains the opportunity to network with women working in the fruit industry, sharing ideas and creating new opportunities. "The 2017 Fresh Perspective Women’s Conference in Miami, USA sharpened participants’ business acumen and further developed leadership potential. It definitely helped to advance in my career and bring additional value to our company."

Inspiring young professionals

The Center for Growing Talent’s Young Professionals Breakfast session will provide opportunities for career-minded young professionals to network with peers and learn from leaders in the sector. Attendees will learn about how PMA’s dynamic industry grows a strong peer and professional network of colleagues who are employed across the entire supply chain.

Brian Coppin, Food Lover's Market co-founder and chief executive officer of is the keynote speaker at this breakfast. He will share his success story of building a single fruit and vegetable store into the largest privately owned independent food retail group in Africa.

Women’s Fresh Perspectives Session

Date: 15 August 2018
Time: 8.30am-1pm
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre
Session and luncheon fee: R1,000
Luncheon only fee: R550
Luncheon starts at 11.15am

Young Professionals Breakfast

Date: 16 August 2018
Time: 6.30am-8am
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre
Fee: R250

The Produce Marketing Association's (PMA's) Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show takes place between 15-16 August 2018 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.