Event Schedule
THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2026
NCM AGM
| 09:00 | NCM Board of Directors’ Meeting Board Members only |
| 12:30 | Lunch Board of Directors and Members only |
| 14:00 | NCM AGM (Closed Session) NCM Ordinary Members only |
| Sponsor’s Evening Function All Delegates & Partners Attire: Smart Casual | |
| 18:30 | Meet & Greet Cocktail |
| 19:30 | Barbecue / Braai |
FRIDAY, 13 MARCH 2026
NCM Congress / Open Session
| 09:00 | NCM Congress / Open Session All Delegates & Partners |
| 13:30 | Lunch All Delegates & Partners |
| 14:30 | Leisure All Delegates |
| Gala Dinner All Delegates & Partners Attire: Smart Formal | |
| 18:30 | Predrinks |
| 19:30 | Dinner |
NCM 90th Congress (Open Session) Draft Programme – Friday, 13 March 2026
Venue: PNR – North Room Conference
Time: 08h00 – 13h30
Chair: Peter Cook
Theme: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future”
| TIME | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Registration (All Delegates) |
| 08:30 – 08:35 | Opening & Welcome Boikanyo Mokgatle, NCM Executive Director |
| 08:35 – 08:40 | NCM 90th Anniversary Video |
| 08:40 – 08:55 | NCM 2025 Annual Report Peter Cook, NCM Board Chairperson |
| 08:55 – 09:15 | Grains Outlook: Maize and Wheat Japie Snyman, Olam Agri |
| 09:15 – 09:20 | Promotional Video Stern Ingredients, Gold Sponsor |
| 09:20 – 09:40 | The Future of Milling: The Path to the Smart Mill Fabio Curatolo, Bühler, Platinum Sponsor |
| 09:40 – 10:00 | Fortifying the Future: Financing Nutrition & Building Resilient Food System Monique Smorenburg, dsm-firmenich, Platinum Sponsor |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Key-note Address Minister John Steenhuisen, Guest Speaker, NDA |
| 10:30 – 10:35 | Promotional Video Sefar Filter Pure, Gold Sponsor |
| 10:35 – 11:00 | Cell Phone Break |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | The Food Value Chain System: A Pillar of South Africa’s Economy & Food Security Tjaart Kruger, CEO: Tiger Brands, Guest Speaker |
| 11:30 – 11:50 | A Quick Glance at Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow of Africa’s Various Bread Types & Processes Memetcan Kutlay, Pakmaya, Gold Sponsor |
| 11:50 – 11:55 | Promotional Video Novonesis, Gold Sponsor |
| 11:55 – 12:15 | Dust Explosion Protection and new generation of Milling Steve Bell, Milling Spares and Services (MSS), Platinum Sponsor |
| 12:15 – 12:45 | Policy Requirements for Enhancing Job Creation & Higher Growth Dr Roelof Botha, Ekonostrat, Guest Speaker |
| 12:45 – 12:50 | Promotional Video GGME Golden Grain Group, Gold Sponsor |
| 12:50 – 13:10 | The Past of Packaging & Future Product Protective Packaging Petereit Christian, Behn + Bates, Platinum Sponsor |
| 13:10 – 13:30 | From Grain to Crumb Gabrielle Chebou, Anton Paar, Platinum Sponsor |
| 13:30 – 13:50 | From experience to innovation: Shaping the Future of Packaging Caglar Aksu, ATARA Makine, Platinum Sponsor |
| 13:50 – 14:00 | Closure |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Lunch Venue: PNR – Outeniqua Ballroom |
Gala Dinner Programme – Friday, 13 March 2026
Venue: PNR – Outeniqua Ballroom
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Dress Code: Smart
Cash Bar available
| TIME | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 18:00 – 18:30 | Arrival of Guests |
| 18:30 – 19:00 | Pre-drinks & Networking |
| 19:00 – 19:05 | Opening & Welcome |
| 19:05 – 19:20 | Starter |
| 19:20 – 19:25 | SAGMA Best Student Award |
| 19:25 – 20:00 | David Molapo, Motivational Speaker |
| 20:00 – 20:40 | Main Course & Entertainment |
| 20:40 – 21:00 | Acknowledgement of NCM Leadership |
| 21:00 – 21:15 | Dessert |
| 21:15 – 23:00 | Networking |
Congress Guest Speakers
GUEST SPEAKER: MINISTER JOHN STEENHUISEN, MP
Topic: Key-note Address
John Steenhuisen, born in Durban on 25 March 1976, attended Northwood School and entered politics at a young age. At just 22, he became one of the youngest councillors elected to the Durban City Council in 1999, representing Durban North.
In 2006, he was elected Caucus Leader of the Democratic Alliance in the eThekwini Council and served on the Executive Committee, contributing to major projects including the 2010 World Cup preparations, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Broadway redevelopment, and securing Blue Flag status for Durban’s beaches.
After ten years in local government, Steenhuisen was elected to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in 2009 as DA caucus leader and later served as Provincial Leader. In 2010, he entered the National Assembly, serving as Shadow Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs.
He was appointed Chief Whip of the Official Opposition in 2014, a role he held until 2019. Elected Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance in 2020 and re-elected in 2023, Steenhuisen led the party to growth in the 2024 General Election. He currently serves as Minister of Agriculture in South Africa’s Government of National Unity.
GUEST SPEAKER: TJAART KRUGER, CEO: TIGER BRANDS
Topic: The Food Value Chain System: A Pillar of South Africa’s Economy & Food Security
Tjaart is a CA (SA) with a PMD from Harvard Business School and has more than 30 years of leadership experience at multiple leading South African fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies.
He sharpened his career through previous experience as Divisional Managing Director at ICS Foods Ltd (today Astral Foods), CEO of Country Bird (Pty) Ltd, and at Tiger Brands as the Managing Executive for the pharmaceuticals and grains divisions over the period 2001 – 2007. In 2007, Tjaart was appointed as CEO of Afrox Limited where he gained experience in managing a global company with responsibility for operations in six countries. Prior to rejoining Tiger Brands in 2023, Tjaart served as CEO of Premier Foods over the period 2011 – 2021.
GUEST SPEAKER: DR ROELOF BOTHA
Topic: Policy Requirements for Enhancing Job Creation & Higher Growth
Dr Roelof Botha is a previous winner of the prestigious Finmedia Economist of the Year award and has shared a platform with two Nobel Peace Prize winners. Professional experience (spanning more than 50 years) includes the following: economic policy advisor at National Treasury; financial editor of a daily newspaper; senior lecturer in economics at various Universities (including GIBS) and chief economist of the SA Federated Chamber of Industries.
He is the economic advisor to the Optimum Investment Group and has published more than 2,000 articles and research reports. More than 1,000 companies and other organisations have utilised his experience in analysing key macroeconomic and socio-political trends in the Southern African region. He is also author of regular columns in national and regional publications, including Media24, Die Burger, BetterBond Property Brief, Business Maverick and The Bright Side, published by Currencies Direct.
Recent accurate predictions include the GDP growth rate for 2024, the recent sharp decline in the consumer price index and the Springboks’ World Cup Victories in 2019 and 2023! He has participated in various competitive sports, including soccer, cricket and parachuting. He is also a member of the Gideons.
GUEST SPEAKER: DAVID MOLAPO, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
Topic: Leading Effectively Even in Tough Times
Dr David Molapo is the Founder of the I Can Group International and CEO of the I CAN Leadership Institute Africa, as well as International Director, Professor and Dean of the Logos University Business School. A renowned leadership consultant, educator and inspirational speaker, he reaches more than 8 million people across Africa each year through media, seminars and workshops. With an extraordinary personal journey that began with imprisonment at age 13 and a life-changing faith experience, Dr Molapo is widely respected for his message of hope, transformation and purpose-driven leadership. He has worked extensively with governments, corporates and institutions across Africa, authored over 50 books, and continues to empower communities through leadership development and financial fitness initiatives.
Venue
Pezula Nature Retreat is a luxury, nature-based resort and golf estate located in Knysna on South Africa’s Garden Route.
Set within an indigenous forest and overlooking the Indian Ocean, it offers high-end accommodation, a championship golf course, spa and conference facilities, making it a popular destination for leisure, corporate retreats and conferences in a tranquil, scenic setting.
Travel and Accommodation
Pezula Nature Retreat is about 77–80 km from George Airport (GRJ) along the N2 Garden Route. The drive typically takes around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic and conditions. The Chamber secured a special airport transfer rate of R600 per delegate attending the conference. The booking reference code is: NCM-Congress.
Airport Transfers / Shuttle Services
Tours for South Africa
Contact: Mario Febbraio
Tel: (044) 302 3478
Mobile: 082 498 4027
E-mail: info@tours4sa.com / mario@tours4sa.com
Website: www.ezshuttle.co.za
Accommodation Rates
The NCM negotiated special discounted rates for the delegates attending the Congress. The rooms are limited and will be allocated on a first-booked, first-served basis – early booking is highly recommended.
Pezula Nature Retreat accommodation combines high-end comfort with natural surroundings, catering to guests seeking relaxation, golf, or conference stays. It emphasises privacy, natural beauty, and top-tier service, making it popular for leisure, golf trips, and corporate retreats.
Single Room (B&B): R3 950.00 per night (VAT incl.)
Sharing Room (B&B): R4 245.00 per night (VAT incl.)
Sponsors
The NCM extends its sincere appreciation to our valued sponsors for the support of the forthcoming AGM & Congress. Your partnership and commitment play a vital role in the success of this milestone event. We are truly grateful for your continued support.
Visit the SAGMA Website
