Wits Business School launches a ground-breaking Food Safety Leadership Initiative
3 June 2025 – Wits Business School (WBS) has announced that it will join forces with key industry stakeholders and thought leaders to launch the first Food Safety Leadership Initiative (FSLI) on the continent.
The announcement was made today by Prof Maurice Radebe, Director and Head of WBS, at the opening of the South African Food Safety SummitTM 2025 held in Johannesburg, an entity that is owned and hosted by Anelich Consulting. According to Professor Radebe, the FSLI will implement a systems-based approach to addressing food safety in South Africa and globally, with a focus on both the formal and informal sectors.
Dr Lucia Anelich, a global food safety leader and strategist, past president of the South African Association of Food Science and Technology and founding member of the FSLI, says that “there is an increased sense of urgency in finding long-terms solutions to food safety, particularly given the issue of food safety in townships where millions of people live, purchase and consume food locally as well as several recalls that have recently occurred. Now is the time to elevate food safety to Board level”.
According to Ravi Pillay, former Nestlé executive and co-founder of the FSLI, the fallout from the deadly listeriosis outbreak of 2017 and the death of more than 20 children over the last two years in townships from food poisoning have highlighted the need for a more collaborative leadership approach to food safety in South Africa.
“Food safety is the responsibility of every stakeholder, from government agencies to small-scale shop owners. The recent tragic events in South Africa highlight once again that food safety demands leadership beyond the siloed models that currently dominate our industry.”
Professor Logan Rangasamy, Academic Director at WBS said that the school is thrilled at the opportunity to play an active role in the future of food safety in South Africa through its healthcare leadership programmes such as the MBA in Healthcare Leadership, a cutting-edge master’s programme that was launched in 2024.
“We are committed to enhancing our current healthcare curricula by integrating best practices in food safety leadership, and to collaborating with other institutions through research, dialogue, and practical interventions in this critical field. The FSLI will provide an essential platform for convening all stakeholders to address food safety leadership in a comprehensive and integrated manner.”
Professor Radebe added that the Initiative aligns with the school’s commitment to the sustainable development goals – particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), as well as WBS’s commitment to the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME).
“This initiative is an exciting opportunity for WBS to partner with like-minded leaders and organisations to develop a new framework of food safety leadership.
“I believe the FSLI will have a lasting impact on the future safety and wellbeing of our communities while contributing to global goals of sustainability and responsible business practices.”
Ends.
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Media Enquries:
Ravi Pillay: FMCG strategist, non-executive director of Food Forward South Africa (FFSA) and the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO)
Dr Lucia Anelich: Food safety leader and strategist; founder of Anelich Consulting
Alison Gaylard: Communications Officer, Wits Business School
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About Wits Business School
Wits Business School (WBS) is the graduate school of business administration of the University of the Witwatersrand, a renowned research institution based in Johannesburg, the financial heart of southern Africa. Founded in 1968, WBS is one of the oldest and most respected business schools in Africa, which has spearheaded new areas of study to take the next generation of African business leaders into the future. The enduring ‘Wits’ brand, recognised internationally, continues to symbolise academic rigour, research excellence and thought leadership on the African continent. www.wbs.ac.za.
About Anelich Consulting
Anelich Consulting is an international food safety consulting and training business, that provides science-based, sustainable food safety solutions according to the latest international developments. Anelich Consulting was established in January 2011 by Professor Lucia Anelich, one of South Africa’s best-known and experienced food microbiologists and food safety experts. She has a PhD in Microbiology and has over 40 years of combined international and national experience in the food industry, academia, national and international organizations in the fields of food microbiology, food hygiene, food safety, foodborne pathogens, food-related regulations, private food safety standards and related fields. www.anelichconsulting.co.za
About Food Forward South Africa
Established in 2009 to address widespread food insecurity in South Africa, Food Forward SA connects a world of excess to a world of need by recovering quality edible surplus food from the consumer goods supply chain and distributing it to community organisations that serve the poor. More than 80% of the food recovered is nutritious food. During the 2024/2025 financial year, we distributed 83 million meals and reached 935,000 people daily through a network of 2,500 beneficiary organisations, across South Africa. We achieved this at a cost per meal of only R0,50, due to the tremendous support from our donors, partners, and volunteers. www.foodforwardsa.org
Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO)
The Office of the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) is South Africa’s independent, industry-funded scheme established under the Consumer Protection Act to uphold the Consumer Goods and Services Industry Code of Conduct. We provide a free, impartial alternative-dispute-resolution service for consumers whose complaints remain unresolved after first approaching a supplier. Suppliers are given a final opportunity to settle; if they refuse or no agreement is reached, we may refer the matter to the National Consumer Commission, and the Tribunal can ultimately impose penalties. By mediating fairly and efficiently, CGSO raises service standards and fosters trust in the marketplace. Contact 0860 000 272 or visit www.cgso.org.za
