Janse van Rensburg will join Eskort’s management team on 1 January 2027. The two-month induction period will allow him to work alongside Prinsloo before the latter retires at the end of February.
The appointment was announced by First Food Brands, which owns and operates Eskort.
Janse van Rensburg has spent 16 years at Lactalis South Africa, progressing from financial manager through senior roles in management control, business unit leadership and operations before becoming general manager in July 2023.
Lactalis operates a national dairy manufacturing and distribution network employing approximately 2,700 people. His experience spans the financial, operational and commercial aspects of a large food business.
Eskort’s board chair, Gerard Braak, says Janse van Rensburg’s experience will support the company’s manufacturing, retail and product development plans.
Prinsloo joined Eskort as chief operating officer before becoming CEO on 1 July 2007. During his tenure, the business expanded its manufacturing capacity, developed a range of more than 300 antibiotic-free pork products and grew its branded retail network to 31 stores across eight provinces.
Eskort operates two factories, in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, and Heidelberg, Gauteng. The business has a history spanning 109 years and is a major player in South Africa’s pork sector.
Braak credits Prinsloo with steering the company through periods of growth and change, and says the board is grateful for his contribution.
Janse van Rensburg says he plans to build on Eskort’s established position while continuing to adapt to changing consumer needs.
The transition comes as food manufacturers navigate shifting purchasing habits, competition for retail shelf space and the need to maintain product relevance. For Eskort, the incoming CEO will be responsible for leading the next stage of development across its manufacturing operations, product range and retail network.
Janse van Rensburg officially assumes the Group CEO role on 1 March 2027, while Prinsloo’s final day is 28 February.
