Dr Ivan Meyer, provincial minister of agriculture in the Western Cape, has announced Dr Mogale Sebopetsa as the head of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA)
Dr Sebopetsa currently holds the post of chief director: farmer support and development at the WCDoA. He started working at the Department in 2006 and has been working in the agricultural sector for more than 20 years.
Previously, he worked for the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and lectured at the University of Limpopo for some time.
He has played a pivotal role in establishing various policies to the benefit of farmer development - for which he has a great passion - and used this deep interest in improving the lives of farmers as the backbone for his PhD; his research focused on the developing an extension framework for smallholder farming.
Dr Sebopetsa has a clear vision for the Department and has hopes to improve farmer development and food security for the Province in his five-year contract period.
“The Western Cape Government has a clear vision when it comes to its citizens, with a focus on bettering lives, this is further emphasised in the five important priority areas as set out by minister Meyer. This can be achievable through the continued goodwill between the Department and the industry. I hope to strengthen and deepen these already existing partnerships and collaborations,” said Dr Sebopetsa.
“I would like to thank the outgoing HoD Ms Joyene Isaacs for her continued guidance and support since 2006. She has done a sterling job in ensuring that the foundations are laid, making it easier for me to expand and build on this legacy,” Dr Sebopetsa noted.
Joyene Isaacs, the outgoing HoD, commented, “Mogale has been a stalwart in the Department and I hand over the reins with confidence knowing he can and will take this Department to new heights.”
Dr Sebopetsa will assume his duties as new HoD for agriculture in the Western Cape from 1 April 2020.
