RMIS Board
The board of directors consists of: 1 representative from each of the four cluster industry organisations, 2 independent directors,
an executive director and an independent non-voting chairperson
Directors
Armed with a wealth of industry knowledge and unwavering commitment, the RMIS Board stands as a well-equipped force dedicated to steering the South African Red Meat industry towards sustainable growth and excellence.
RMIS is governed according to its Memorandum of Incorporation. It has a board of directors consisting of four members nominated by the RMPC, two additional directors who are knowledgeable in industry and business, an executive director and an independent non-voting chairperson.
Koos Janse Van Rensburg
Chairman
Independent non-voting
Koos Janse van Rensburg chairs the RMIS Board as an independent, non-voting chairperson, bringing decades of senior agricultural leadership to the role. He is best known as the former Managing Director of the VKB Group, one of South Africa’s leading agribusinesses, where he built a reputation for visionary leadership and long-term industry investment. In 2023, he was honoured with a Food For Mzansi Mzansi Changemakers Award, recognising his transformative contribution to reshaping South African agriculture. As an independent chairperson, he provides impartial governance oversight and strategic direction.
Dewald Olivier
Executive Director
Dewald Olivier serves as Executive Director of RMIS, a position he has held since the organisation’s establishment under the new statutory levy in 2022. He holds an LLB, and an MBA (Cum Laude) from North-West University and practised as an admitted attorney before moving into the agricultural sector as a legal and compliance specialist. His career includes senior roles at Suidwes Agriculture and the South African Feedlot Association (SAFA), and he continues to serve as a Board Member of the International Meat Secretariat (IMS), giving RMIS strong governance, legal and international standing.
Estelle van Reenen
Director
Representing: Feedlot
Estelle van Reenen represents the feedlot sector on the RMIS Board through her position as Chairperson of the South African Feedlot Association (SAFA). She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sparta Beef Group, a family-owned feedlot that can trace its agricultural roots back more than a century. A qualified attorney who practised law for ten years, she brings rare, cross-cutting skills and extensive experience in feedlot operations to the Board.
Niel Venter
Director
Representing: Abattoir
Niel Venter represents the abattoir and meat-processing sector on the RMIS Board in his capacity as Chairman of the Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA). He is the Group Chief Operating Officer of Sparta Beef Abattoir, where he oversees beef-processing operations. With more than 20 years of experience across the value chain, from sales and operations through to full processing oversight, he brings deep, hands-on knowledge of meat safety, compliance and export readiness to the Board.
Frik Van Rooyen
Director
Representing: Commercial Farmer
Frik van Rooyen represents commercial producers on the RMIS Board and is the National Chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO), having previously chaired the Eastern Cape RPO. A practical, hands-on farmer, he is a strong advocate for sustainable farm management and has consistently championed the interests of primary red meat producers. His grassroots standing and national producer mandate ensure the commercial farming sector is strongly represented in RMIS governance.
Dr Kabols le Riche
Director
Independent
Dr Kabols le Riche is an independent director and a qualified veterinarian at the University of Pretoria (BVSc, BSc Hons in Veterinary Medicine and Wildlife Management) and has built a career spanning the full meat value chain — from farming and feeding through to slaughter and packing. He founded Just Lamb in 1998 and served as CEO of the Cavalier Group for over a decade. His scientific credibility and commercial experience add valuable depth to the Board’s oversight.
Jannie de Villiers
Director
Independent
Jannie de Villiers is an independent director with extensive experience in organised agriculture. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Grain SA for a decade (2011–2021) and holds a BCom Honours in Economics from the University of Pretoria. He began his career as an economist at the Department of Agriculture, and spent 24 years in the grain and food-processing sector before joining Grain SA. He served on numerous industry boards and trusts and adds institutional credibility to the RMIS Board.