Program Overview
MACDAY 2025 promises a rich, knowledge-packed experience with a carefully curated program designed to inspire, inform, and connect industry stakeholders. The day will open with high-impact keynote sessions exploring economic trends, policy insights, and technological transformation – essential themes for driving innovation and growth in the macadamia sector.
Delegates will then delve into the world of precision agriculture, with expert-led presentations on understanding water use in macadamias, updated crop removal values for South Africa, and modelling pest and disease risk. A strong scientific focus continues with engaging talks on carbohydrate reserves and root flushes, the critical role of biological control, and exciting developments in macadamia genomics and breeding.
Insightful panel discussions will bring diverse voices together to explore SAMAC Research and Developent’s vision for building a resilient industry and to share valuable lessons learned over decades in the macadamia space. The day will conclude with the Annual General Meeting, extended exhibition viewing, and a vibrant evening function – the perfect opportunity to network and unwind.
With so many forward-thinking topics and expert contributors, this is a day not to be missed. Early bird registration is still open until 30 June, so secure your place now and be part of shaping the future of macadamias!
MC AND KEYNOTES
SAMAC welcomes our MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Liezel van der Westhuizen
Liezel van der Westhuizen is a seasoned television and radio presenter, certified executive and mental fitness coach, and the founder of The Giraffe Brand—a consultancy dedicated to personal branding and mental resilience. As a trusted voice on KFM94.5, CapeTalk, and 702, she delivers daily wellness and mindset insights that inspire thousands. Backed by a Master’s in Business Communication and certifications in Positive Intelligence and Mindvalley Coaching, Liezel equips high-performing leaders to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and stand tall in their leadership presence.
An accomplished endurance athlete, Liezel has completed Ironman triathlons, swum 7.5km from Robben Island to Blouberg in icy waters, cycled tandem across the Himalayas with a blind athlete, and paddled the iconic Dusi Canoe Marathon. These extraordinary feats inform her bold coaching style—blending grit, clarity, and a long-view perspective. Whether on stage emceeing international events or coaching executives behind the scenes, Liezel helps others rise above the noise and lead with impact.
SAMAC welcomes our KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Rusty Labuschagne
Rusty Labuschagne is a unique premier speaker on the professional circuit. One is immediately struck by his sincerity and humility as he delivers a dramatic account of his transformational experience. Rusty has been through a trauma few have experienced. In 2003, the successful Zimbabwean businessman, who ran a safari outfit, flew his own aircraft, and had a fishing resort on Lake Kariba, was framed by a poacher, the police, and the courts, and wrongfully convicted of drowning a poacher.
He talks and writes about being subjected to conditions most people would find unbearable, having to draw on his inner resources and strengths to endure the unimaginable. In the process, he developed not only a life-saving resilience but also empathy and a keen desire to help his fellow inmates. His faith in God, positive mental attitude, leadership qualities, and lessons in forgiveness, gratitude, and humility bring a personal, transformative, and authentic message of hope and freedom.
In his book and to audiences, Rusty’s message is that everyone is faced with challenges, but it is who you are and the depth of your determination that will get you through life’s darkest moments. He shows how one can harness one’s inner strength and let go of what one cannot control. His talks have a broad audience appeal, from leadership lessons for CEOs and managers to inspiration and staff members’ motivation.
SAMAC Welcomes the Imbhewu Marimba Band
to Our 2025 Symposium
It is a true honour for SAMAC to be welcoming the IMBHEWU MARIMBA BAND to MacDay ’25, proudly supported by John Deere and Farmer’s Agricare. Their incredible story and soul-stirring performance deeply moved our leadership, and we are privileged to host them at this year’s event. More than just a musical group, the Imbhewu Marimba Band embodies inclusion, resilience, and the power of human connection. Through this platform, SAMAC is proud to support their mission and shine a light on the transformative role of music in empowering lives.
About the Imbhewu Marimba Band
Based at the foot of the Cape Winelands, the Imbhewu Marimba Band is an extraordinary ensemble made up of learners from Alta du Toit School and individuals from the wider community, with and without disabilities. Many of the band’s members face significant intellectual and physical challenges. And yet, when they come together on the marimba, those barriers dissolve. Their music becomes a universal language of inclusion, hope, and joy.
Partnering with Purpose
Supported by JOB-ABLED, the band is more than a performance group, it’s a movement toward sustainable, meaningful employment for people with disabilities. By showcasing their talents, they are rewriting outdated perceptions and proving that ability, not assumptions, is what truly matters.
Alta du Toit School: A Place of Transformation
Alta du Toit School provides a nurturing, inclusive environment where learners with special needs are equipped with the tools to grow into confident, engaged members of society. Music plays a central role in this journey, not just as an art form, but as a vehicle for personal development, independence, and dignity.
SAMAC is proud to support this initiative and contribute to their ongoing impact. We look forward to sharing their story, and their rhythm, with all our delegates.
SAMAC Welcomes Marciel Hopkins
to Our Women’s Morning
Marciel Hopkins is a South African TV presenter, international model, actress, life coach, motivational speaker and social media influencer. After graduating with a degree in BA Drama from the University of Stellenbosch she completed her Honours degree in Psychology. From a very young age she knew that she wanted to live an inspiring life and her big break came in 2015 when she was chosen as a top 12 Miss South Africa finalist. Her transformative weightloss journey led her to become a motivational speaker that is passionate about self-love, body acceptance and personal growth. Marciel is well known for inspiring women from all across the world to love and embrace themselves. Life coaching is a big passion for Marciel, as building connections and relationships with people from all spheres of life are important to her.
Marciel’s television presence took off in 2020 when she was chosen to be the presenter of Boer Soek ‘n Vrou – a popular Afrikaans dating show that helps South African farmers from all across the country to find love. She has been the longest reigning presenter to date with 15 marriages that resulted from her 4 seasons on air. In addition to her love for presenting and life coaching, Marciel fills up her freelancing time with modelling, acting and being a presenter of the well loved lifestyle show, Bravo. She has had a highly successful curve modelling career, flying to many exotic locations with clients from all over the world. Being spurred on by starring in her first two feature films, she is now focused on building her acting career.
SAMAC Welcomes Dr Judey
to Our Women’s Morning
Our skin tells our story — of beauty, age, resilience, and sometimes, survival. In this heartfelt and empowering talk, Dr Judey will go beyond just the cosmetic, she will be sharing a journey through the incredible world of skin, from helping women feel confident in their appearance, to growing lab-cultured skin that gives burn survivors a second chance at healing. An inspiring and science-backed voyage through the world of skin — where beauty meets healing. In this powerful talk, Dr Judey explores skin from every angle: We’ll talk openly about what so many of us face, from the aesthetics of aging, pigmentation, acne, scars, stretch marks, hair loss, and the changes brought on to our skin by conditions and disease such menopause and diabetes.
Whether you’re passionate about skincare, fascinated by medical innovation, or simply want to feel good in your own skin, this session is for you.
This is for every woman who’s ever looked in the mirror and wanted answers, healing, or simply to feel comfortable in their own skin again.
Speakers
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Lambert Botha provides trade law and policy advice to South African corporate entities and represents the interest of South African business on various national and international trade fora, including the WTO Doha Ministerial and Mini-ministerial Meetings held in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013. Lambert continues to service the needs of several agricultural associations and food companies within his client portfolio. He is intimately involved in the representation of business interests including representing certain agro-processing sectors on the Agricultural Trade Forum, which is the Minister of Agriculture’s trade advisory body. He also serves on the Trade, Transport and Logistics Sub-committee of Business Unity South Africa.
Lambert has been involved in various teaching programmes with universities in South Africa and has provided training to South African and African government officials in the areas of trade dispute settlement, trade in services, trade in agriculture; trade and intellectual property rights and trade facilitation.
Lambert is a graduate of the World Trade Institute, Berne, Switzerland where he obtained his Master’s Degree in International Law and Economics.
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Adéle McLeod obtained her BSc (Agric) degree and BSc Hons in Plant Pathology from the University of Pretoria. She completed her MSc in Plant Pathology at Stellenbosch University, followed by her PhD at Cornell University, USA, in 2003. Before embarking on her postgraduate studies, she spent five years at the Agricultural Research Council’s Vegetable and Ornamental Institute, working in Pretoria and Elsenburg in the Western Cape.
In 2004, she joined Stellenbosch University as a Senior Lecturer, where she began her teaching and research career. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015. Between 2010 and 2013, she undertook a sabbatical at ZZ2 in Mooketsi, Limpopo, which gave her valuable insight into the realities and challenges of commercial agriculture.
Her research at Stellenbosch University focuses on soilborne plant diseases of tree crops, with a particular interest in sustainable management of soilborne diseases and soil health. Based in the Western Cape, much of her work has been centred on apple replant disease and Phytophthora root rot in apples. In collaboration with ZZ2, she began investigating Phytophthora root rot in avocados in 2013, with an emphasis on phosphonate-based management strategies. This research was expanded to include macadamias in 2019.
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Alwyn du Preez a private macadamia consultant. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and completed a M.Sc. on Studies on Macadamia nut quality during 2015. I. began my professional journey as a farm manager and then as a Technical advisor for 12 years at Golden Macadamias. Currently a member of the SAMAC R & D committee.
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I am an entomologist trained at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. I did my masters thesis on the effects of temperature on the biological control of water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes, and its biocontrol agents. Since 2008, I have been based at the Agricultural Research Council – Plant Health and Protection (Pretoria, South Africa), specialising in weed biological control. I have worked on projects to control the invasive plants Dolichandra ungis-cati (cat’s claw creeper), Biancaea decapetala (Mauritius thorn) and Solanum elaeagnifolium (satansbos), incorporating pre-release studies through to post-release evaluation and implementation. I also manage the maintenance, day-to-day activities and compliance of the Weeds Research and Plant Microbiology Division quarantine facilities. My research focus widened in 2021 to include studies towards the initiation of a biological control programme on the macadamia felted coccid, Acanthococcus ironsidei, in South Africa through the introduction of host-specific parasitoids such as Metaphycus macadamiae.
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Achieving her MSc in Plant Pathology, Debbie entered the agricultural industry as a field trials officer giving her hands on exposure to pesticide application and biological control in field and glasshouse settings in the United Kingdom. She then returned back to South Africa where worked for 10 years at generic crop protection companies focusing on regulatory and product development of Fungicides, Nematicides and Biological Control products. In 2024 she started her own Consulting Company, Ag Matters (Pty) Ltd providing regulatory and product development support for all natural and synthetic pesticides. She is a study director for GLP residue studies and serves on the Plant Science Consultants Association Exco. She was appointed as Chairperson of the South African BioProducts Organisation (SABO) in September 2024 and has since focused her efforts to raising awareness of Biological products across the value chain and supporting their uptake into South African agriculture.
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I am Prof. Gerda Fourie, and since 2017 I have been conducting research on macadamia pests and diseases of economic importance to the South African industry. With a strong focus on sustainable agriculture, the Macadamia Protection Programme at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, provides growers with science-based strategies for effective pest and disease management. The programme also provides extension as well as pest and disease diagnostic services to the macadamia industry. Finally, as an academic, I am also committed to mentoring the next generation of plant health professionals.
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Mark Penter completed his MSc studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 1997. He was appointed in the same year as a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council – Tropical and Subtropical Crops in Nelspruit.
Mark has worked on various sub-tropical crops including macadamia, litchi, avocado, coffee, mango and pineapple, but has focussed on macadamia research since 2001. His research interests are primarily in post-harvest science and plant physiology, with an emphasis on the effect of growth regulators and nutrients on plant growth and crop quality. More recently, his interests have expanded to include macadamia cultivar assessments and maintenance of the ARC’s macadamia germplasm collection.
Mark is currently a Council member of the Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences and is the South African voting representative on the Council of the International Society for Horticultural Science.
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I am a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria specializing in fruit tree water use. We aim to interpret water use data into water us models that can be practically used by growers to improve water management in orchards.
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Philip Lee is sole proprietor of CompleteLee Nuts Consulting, providing consultancy services to a broad spectrum of macadamia producers worldwide. He draws on 45 years of experience in the horticulture sector in Southern Africa in a range of crops including tea, coffee and macadamias. His previous positions include Horticultural / Technical Manager and General Manager (Technical Services) at Green Farms Nut Company as well as CEO of Royal Macadamia (Pty) Ltd.
He was awarded honorary life membership of the Southern African Macadamia Growers Association (SAMAC) in 2009 in recognition of service excellence to the SA macadamia industry including board member of SAMAC (1991 to 2008), Chairman of SAMAC (1994 to 1996) and Executive Director of SAMAC (1997 to 2002). He chaired the organising committee for the first International Macadamia Symposium held in Nelspruit in 1999 and presented papers at subsequent symposia in Australia, 2003, Brazil, 2006 and China, 2018, where he was also appointed honorary adviser of International Macadamia Research and Development Center, Lincang, China.
As South African ambassador to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) from 2001 to 2007 he often presented the global macadamia report at INC Congress and chaired the organising committee for the first INC Congress ever held in Africa, Cape Town, 2002. Philip has built an extensive network of friends and associates in the global macadamia and broader tree nut industries and has seen over 3 million macadamia trees on more than 1000 properties on four continents.
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Stephan Schoeman is an independent horticultural advisor loving macadamia nuts, avocadoes and litchis.
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Mansi Ahuja is a marketing professional with over two decades of experience in promoting high-value imported food products across India and the subcontinent. She has an in-depth understanding and knowledge on global policies & practices, marketing programs, and funding sources for both Indian and foreign markets for marketing support. As the founder of AMPRO MARKETING, a specialized food marketing consultancy, she has been instrumental in shaping market strategies for international fresh and dried fruit boards.
Her company represents prestigious global organizations, including the World Macadamia Organisation, Turkish Hazelnuts, Turkish Dried Fruits & Pistachios, and Avocados Australia, with a strong focus on market development, consumer awareness, and increasing category demand in India. With deep industry insights and a robust network with key industry stakeholders, Mansi has been at the forefront of driving growth in the imported foods sector in India.