Extension and Biosecurity
THE EXTENSION SERVICE
One of the main strengths of SASRI is our in-house extension service. A group of around 20 individual Extension Specialists are located throughout the South African sugar industry, offering advice, support and research outcomes to growers.
The SASRI Extension Service plays an integral part in the SASRI Research Programmes by communicating stakeholder needs to SASRI so that an appropriate research programme can be developed. They facilitate effective technology exchange and enable growers to access a wide range of relevant support services.
THE BIOSECURITY SERVICE
The Biosecurity Inspectorate acts together with Local Pest, Disease and Variety Control Committees to prevent or minimise loss and damage caused by pests and diseases by identifying biosecurity hazards and implementing the required procedures to mitigate damage and loss. They ensure that varieties planted in each control area conform to the annual list of cane varieties gazetted for the specific area and also promote industry awareness of biosecurity and biorisk through communication and liaison with all stakeholders, including Government and SADC partners. Find out what varieties are gazetted for your region.
Extension and Biosecurity Staff

Sifiso Thwala
SSG Extension Specialist

Sifiso Thwala
Position: SSG Extension Specialist
Cell: 060 571 3355
SASRI Extension Office, RCL Komatipoort Mill
Email:sifiso.thwala@sugar.org.za

Mboniseni Buthelezi
Extension Specialist

Mboniseni Buthelezi
Position: Extension Specialist
MCGA Building, Mhlati Farm 170 JU, Malelane
Tel: 0137234132
Cell: 083 303 6305

Karlien Trumpelmann
Biosecurity Officer

Karlien Trumpelmann
Position: Biosecurity Officer
Lowveld Pest & Disease Control Office:
Mhlati Farm, R570 Road, Malelane
Tel: 066 257 3926
Cell: 083 335 3846

Wilan Nieuwenhuizen
Extension Specialist

Wilan Nieuwenhuizen
Position: Extension Specialist
SASRI Extension Office,RCL Komatipoort Mill, R571 Road, Komatipoort,
Tel: 013 723 4177
Cell: 067 597 0203

Buhle Khomo
Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Buhle Khomo
Position: Extension Specialist / P&D Officer
20 Range Rd, Oslo beach, Marburg
Tel: 039 682 1822
Cell: 082 653 3151
Email: buhle.khomo@sugar.org.za

Sifiso Thwala
SSG Extension Specialist

Sifiso Thwala
Position: SSG Extension Specialist
Cell: 060 571 3355
SASRI Extension Office, RCL Komatipoort Mill
Email:sifiso.thwala@sugar.org.za

Jan Erasmus
Extension Specialist

Jan Erasmus
Position: Extension Specialist
MCGA Building, Mhlati Farm 170 JU, Malelane
Cell: 0661140656
Email: jan.erasmus@sugar.org.za

Mboniseni Buthelezi
Extension Specialist

Mboniseni Buthelezi
Position: Extension Specialist
MCGA Building, Mhlati Farm 170 JU, Malelane
Tel: 0137234132
Cell: 083 303 6305

Karlien Trumpelmann
Biosecurity Officer

Karlien Trumpelmann
Position: Biosecurity Officer
Lowveld Pest & Disease Control Office:
Mhlati Farm, R570 Road, Malelane
Tel: 066 257 3926
Cell: 083 335 3846

David Wilkinson
Acting Extension Manager Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

David Wilkinson
Position: Acting Extension Manager Extension Specialist / P&D Officer
2 Fairview Drive, Wartburg
Tel: 033 503 1818
Cell: 082 654 3549
Email: david.wilkinson@sugar.org.za

Janet Edmonds
Biosecurity Officer

Janet Edmonds
Position: Biosecurity Officer
2 Fairview Drive, Wartburg
Tel: 033 503 1818
Cell: 071 334 8122
Email: janet.edmonds@sugar.org.za

Paul Botha
Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Paul Botha
Position: Extension Specialist / P&D Officer
Beaumont Farmers Club, Eston
Tel: 031 781 2001
Cell: 082 654 3546
Email: paul.botha@sugar.org.za

Bongiwe Chonco
SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Bongiwe Chonco
Position: SSG/LRG Extension Specialist
Sezela Country Club, Club Road, Sezela
Tel: 039 975 1149
Cell: 083 272 3400
Email: Bongiwe.Chonco@sugar.org.za

Winile Shelembe
Extension Specialist (EVA, SSG, LRG)

Winile Shelembe
Position: Extension Specialist (EVA, SSG, LRG)
Address: Beaumont Eston Farmers Club, R603 Eston
Tel: 082 654 3547
Cell: 082 654 3547
Email: winile.shelembe@sugar.org.za

Thulani Masondo
SSG & LRG Extension Manager

Thulani Masondo
Position: SSG & LRG Extension Manager
SASRI, 170 Flanders Dr, Mt Edgecombe
Tel: 0315087491
Cell: 082 653 3148
Email: thulani.masondo@sugar.org.za

Maphilisi Zulu
Extension Specialist (Land Reform)

Maphilisi Zulu
Position: Extension Specialist (Land Reform)
Old Main Road, Umhlali (next to Coastal Farmers)
Tel: 081 016 99280
Cell: 083 459 7486
Email: maphilisi.Zulu@sugar.org.za

Thobeka Khumalo
Biosecurity Officer

Thobeka Khumalo
Position: Biosecurity Officer
Tel: 031 508 7400 (Switchboard)
Tel: 031 508 7312 (Direct)
Email: thobile.nxumalo@sugar.org.za
- BSc (Biochemistry and Chemistry) – University of KwaZulu Natal
- MSc Agric (Crop Science) – University of KwaZulu-Natal

Phillemon Sithole
Extension Specialist: North Coast

Phillemon Sithole
Position: Extension Specialist: North Coast
Tel: 031 508 7400 (Switchboard)
Tel: 031 508 7435 (Direct)
- Soil-crop-climate interactions.
- Web-based decision support tools (technology development).
- Crop Modelling.
- Weather data acquisition and processing
- Crop modelling
- Acquisition and processing of weather data into useful decision support information for all industry stakeholders.
- Producing regular sugarcane crop forecasts using the Canesim Crop Forecasting System and disseminating results to key industry stakeholders.
MSc. Agricultural Meteorology (University of Zimbabwe)

Tulani Velem
Extension Technician: North Coast

Tulani Velem
Position: Extension Technician: North Coast
Old Main Road, Umhlali (next to Coastal Farmers)
Tel: 081 016 99280
Cell: 083 303 5908
Email: tulani.velem@sugar.org.za

Etienne De Beer
Extension Specialist/ P&D Officer

Etienne De Beer
Position: Extension Specialist/ P&D Officer
Agrihub, 53 Klasie Havenga Street, Pongola
Tel: 034 413 818
Cell: 083 320 9099
Email: etienne.DeBeer@sugar.org.za

Norman Mkhabela
SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Norman Mkhabela
Position: SSG/LRG Extension Specialist
Agrihub, 53 Klasie Havenga Street, Pongola
Tel: 060 567 2987
Cell: 083 655 5012
Umfolozi Sugar Mill (Pty) Ltd, Cane Supply Office No 7, Riverview, Mtubatuba,
Tel: 035 550 7730
Cell: 083 655 5012
Email: norman.mkhabela@sugar.org.za

Joe Nkala
Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Joe Nkala
Position: Extension Specialist / P&D Officer
2 Smuts Avenue, Sezela
Tel: 039 975 1377
Cell: 082 655 0387
Email: joe.nkala@sugar.org.za

Mzomuhle Mnguni
Biosecurity Officer

Mzomuhle Mnguni
Position: Biosecurity Officer
2 Smuts Avenue, Sezela
Tel: 039 975 1149
Cell: 079 453 2124
Email: mzomuhle.mnguni@sugar.org.za

Bongiwe Chonco
SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Bongiwe Chonco
Position: SSG/LRG Extension Specialist
Sezela Country Club, Club Road, Sezela
Tel: 039 975 1149
Cell: 083 272 3400
Email: Bongiwe.Chonco@sugar.org.za

Jeffrey Foxon
Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Jeffrey Foxon
Position: Extension Specialist / P&D Officer
House C1, Sycamore Avenue, River View, Mtubatuba
Tel: 035 550 0106
Cell: 083 459 7003
Email: jeffrey.foxon@sugar.org.za

Norman Mkhabela
SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Norman Mkhabela
Position: SSG/LRG Extension Specialist
Agrihub, 53 Klasie Havenga Street, Pongola
Tel: 060 567 2987
Cell: 083 655 5012
Umfolozi Sugar Mill (Pty) Ltd, Cane Supply Office No 7, Riverview, Mtubatuba,
Tel: 035 550 7730
Cell: 083 655 5012
Email: norman.mkhabela@sugar.org.za

Tshifhiwa Radzilani
Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Tshifhiwa Radzilani
Position: Extension Specialist / P&D Officer
Mimosa Court, 13 Turnbull Street, Empangeni
Tel: 035 772 5871
Cell: 082 653 3150

Vusumuzi Mntungwa
Biosecurity Officer

Vusumuzi Mntungwa
Position: Biosecurity Officer
Mimosa Court, 13 Turnbull Street, Empangeni
Tel: 035 772 5872
Cell: 082 801 3064

Jotham Maduna
Biosecurity Technician

Jotham Maduna
Position: Biosecurity Technician

Sifiso Hlela
SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Sifiso Hlela
Position: SSG/LRG Extension Specialist
North Park Offices, 1st Aloe Loop street, Veld en vlei, Richards Bay
Tel: 082 613 8819
Cell: 082 613 8819
Email: sifiso.hlela@sugar.org.za

Ruth Rhodes
Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Ruth Rhodes
Position: Extension Specialist / P&D Officer
Address: 61 Commercial Rd, Gingindlovu
Tel: 035 337 1593
Cell: 082 655 0358
Email: ruth.rhodes@sugar.org.za
PESTS AND DISEASES UNDER SURVEILLANCE
There are a number of exotic pests and diseases (not indigenous to South Africa) that present a threat to our industry. Please keep a look out for these threats.

Chilo saccariphagus stalk borer
Not yet in South Africa

Orange Rust

Fall Army Worm
Not in sugarcane
