|
|
Henri Smit │ CEO
|
After completing his degree and post-certificate in education at the University of Stellenbosch, Henri Smit began his career as a teacher. However, in 1994, he shifted his focus to table grapes when he accepted the position of Production Manager at a farm near the Orange River. Four years later, the Namibian native turned his attention to fresh produce marketing, achieving significant success in the field.
Today, nearly three decades later, after mastering marketing and procurement, Henri has returned to his roots on the farm and love for the vineyards, aligning with Rainbow's transition to becoming a grower-exporter with its own production units. Henri’s responsibility now includes the overall management of all the production units.
In his spare time, he indulges in his passion for cattle farming, while evenings are dedicated to family and his enthusiasm for rugby coaching. |
|
|
Mario Grobler │ COO & CMO
|
Mario Grobler serves as the Chief Operations and Marketing Officer of the Rainbow Group. With 25 years of senior-level corporate and legal experience, he has proven to be an invaluable asset to Rainbow Export. Additionally, Mario has been an avid table grape and citrus grower since 2009. He holds both an MBA and an LLB degree, among other qualifications. His extensive knowledge has enabled him to lead various companies to achieve remarkable success.
In his current role, Mario oversees all operations at the Rainbow Group, focusing on marketing, corporate governance, finance, human resources, and strategic growth. He is dedicated to leading the staff and providing exceptional service to clients and growers alike. Known for his honesty, diligence, transparency, and fairness, Mario is a steadfast leader you can trust. |
|
|
Henco Brundyn │ Manager: Procurement & Marketing
|
Henco Brundyn started his journey in the fresh produce industry in 2016 as a packhouse quality controller, where he played a key role in maintaining high-quality standards for fresh produce exports. His diligence and technical proficiency quickly earned him additional responsibilities, including managing the company’s accreditations and advancing to the role of Procurement Officer.
Over time, he expanded his focus to marketing, representing Rainbow Export abroad during the season in the EU and UK, where he helped strengthen the company’s presence in international markets. Today, as the Manager of Marketing and Procurement, Henco leverages his expertise in quality control, procurement, and marketing to drive Rainbow Export’s continued success both locally and globally. |
|
|
Nico Roode │ Financial Manager
|
|
After completing his accounting degree through UNISA, his career started at an accounting firm in Caledon. His focus turned towards financial management when he was offered the position at a local internet company. Still eager to learn, he completed a certificate in logistics and is currently studying to become a CGMA and ACMA.
Having a passion for maritime rescue and safety, he volunteers as a Class 3 Coxswain at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
He regards himself as a family man, a team player, a problem solver, and a lifelong learner who strives to make a positive impact in his field and community.
|
|
|
Jason Africa │ Financial Officer
|
|
Jason grew up on the West Coast in the rural area of Atlantis, raised by widowed mom in tough circumstances.
He like to refer to himself as a cactus plant who can thrive in the most challenging surroundings.
After he matriculated, he studied Cost and Management Accounting at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). On Completion of his studies he worked as an intern at a large well-known fruit grower/exporter where his career in finance grew momentum.
|
|
|
Vincent Bruwer │ QC & Procurement Officer
|
|
Vincent grew up on his family's table grape farm in Paarl, and from a young age, agriculture became his passion.
Deeply connected to the agricultural community, Vincent's hands-on experience working in vineyards during school holidays gave him first-hand knowledge and practical know-how on the meticulous process of growing high-quality table grapes for the domestic and international markets.
Graduated from Paarl Gymnasium in 2017 and completing his BCom in Marketing and Business Management, Vincent is continuously refining his knowledge with a wide-lens approach to the production, marketing and end consumer behaviours of table grape production.
Vincent joined our team in 2024 as a QC & Procurement officer. While he ensures our grapes are of the best quality, he also goes out to meet new potential producers.
When not making sure the "best of the best" table grapes are leaving our warehouses, Vincent enjoys the company of his friends and family.
|
|
|
Hendré Fraser │ Procurement Officer
|
|
Hendré Fraser has been a trailblazer in agriculture, specializing in crocodile farming since 2017. His journey, which started with various farming ventures in 2015, led him to Marble Hall.
In December 2023, Hendré joined Rainbow Export in a pivotal role as a Procurement Officer, tasked with sourcing top-quality citrus and grapes. His dedication to cutting-edge farming practices, refined through diverse experiences, establishes him as a key player in both crocodile farming and agricultural procurement.
Beyond the farms and orchards, Hendré Fraser has a passion for rock and sea fishing.
|
|
|
Les Williams │ Procurement Officer
|
|
It all started for the Rondebosch Boys High graduate back in 1980, when he joined Pick n Pay. Les Williams worked himself up to Head Buyer of Fresh Produce for the Western and Eastern Cape, a position he held between 1983 and 1996. During this period, the born and bred Capetonian also took the time to complete his mini MBA at the Graduate School of Business. He was the proud recipient of both the Executive of the Year Award in 1989 and the General Managers Award in 1990.
After deregulation in 1996, Les joined the export business. He has spent the last 10 years dutifully working in procurement, together with his fellow team members Alita and Henri, as well as the last 3 years with his QC colleague, Henco.
He is a family man through and through, with a son in his final year of study as a civil engineer at Stellenbosch University, as well as a stepson still in high school. Les enjoys spending time with his sons and better half, Lucija.
|
|
|
Aimee Etson │ Logistics Officer
|
|
Aimee Etson started her career back in 2007 as a quality controller in the dried fruit industry. She got the opportunity to start in the fresh fruit industry in 2009 as technical co-ordinator where she worked for just over 2 years. While being pregnant with her first born in 2011, she decided to make a career change and started in the logistics department.
Aimee worked in different departments of the export chain, but her love for logistics won and that is where her knowledge, experience and passion lies.
When not on the phone sorting out logistics, you’ll find her next to the rugby field cheering for her son and spending quality time with her daughter.
|
|
|
Kola Oerson │ Quality Controller
|
|
After 27 years as educator and principal of a primary school, Kola took a different career path. He started working as packhouse manager on a table grape export farm in the Orange River. Six years after entering the table grape export industry he decided to move his focus and started as a Quality Controller. Now, 17 years later, he is still the best teacher in every packhouse he visits.
|
|
|
Tiaan Kriel │ Quality Control & Technical Officer
|
|
Born and raised in the Hexriver Valley, De Doorns, Tiaan grew up with a strong agricultural background. He went to Boland Agricultural High School and matriculated in 2018. After school Tiaan completed his B. Agric degree in Viticulture and Horticulture at Elsenburg. For the past three years he worked on farms during his vacation time, where he learned a lot about the quality of table grapes and the importance of the system behind the export of the fruit. Now that he’s done with his studies, he decided to join the Rainbow Export team.
Tiaan enjoys pursuing time with friends and family and his love for sociability and the outdoors shines in his personality.
|
|
|
|