The directors of TopFruit all share the common bond of a love for the land, and the business of farming. Their years of experience, personal understanding of the environment and conditions, and the respect they have earned within the industry come together in the services and products available to all clients of TopFruit.
Roy Jeffery - Chairman
Qualification:
B.Sc (majoring in horticulture) Stellenbosch University, 1969
Roy’s farming interests include his family farm and packing facility which he has managed for over 40 years, the successful Bokkeveld Nursery and the formation of TopFruit in 1983, in partnership with Richard Hill and Jim Button. The Bokkeveld Nursery interests include fruit growing and packing facilities in Stellenbosch currently supplying customers in SA as well as markets in UK, Europe and USA.
Gys du Toit
Qualification:
B.Agric, Stellenbosch University,1973
After his studies Gys joined the family business, Dutoit Group, a leading South African producer and distributor of fruit and vegetables covering 4000 hectares in Ceres. He serves on numerous boards of directors and industry organizations, sharing his passion for the fruit industry and innovative thinking, especially with the new and improved cultivars. He joined TopFuit’s board of directors in June 2007.
Robert Graaff
Qualification:
Honours degree in Economics, University of Stellenbosch
Robert, a director of Graaff Fruit, has an honours degree in Economics from the University of Stellenbosch and was the Toyota/Agri SA Young Farmer of the year for 2007. Based in Ceres, Graaff Fruit is a 3rd generation family business. Graaff Fruit is known for their top quality standards and produces some of the best deciduous fruit, including peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, plums, apples and pears, in South Africa. Graaff Fruit aims to grow the best quality fruit in harmony with nature.
Dr James Button
Qualification:
Natal University with B.Sc. (Agric) 1963; M. Sc. (Agric) 1967;
Ph.D. (Sci) 1972
After lecturing in Plant Physiology at the University of Natal for six years, Jim became the first General Manager of SAPO where he was responsible for getting the production and use of certified deciduous fruit plant material under way. Thereafter he began Rosenhof Nursery in Ceres as the sole proprietor, growing stone and pome fruit trees. In 2004 he transformed the nursery into a company with Wim and Teresa van Rijswijk and together they have built the nursery into one of the largest, producing some 600 000 trees per year. Although retired he remains a director on the Boards of both Topfruit and Rosenhof Nursery.
Rob Meihuizen
Qualification:
BSc Chemical Engineering (UCT) 1988
After completing his military service Rob worked as process Engineer and export administrator for SA Nylon Spinners (SANS). Thereafter he set up and managed Coastal Liquor Distributors, Rostem International and Cape Natural Tea Products (Pty) Ltd as part of the Ashwood Group of companies. Today Rob holds investments in agriculture, including fruit growing, wine making and Topfruit. Rob has been the Managing Director of TopFruit since 2000.
