Local Organising Committee
Dr Mduduzi Ngcobo
Chair
Dr Mduduzi E.K. Ngcobo is a Postharvest Technology specialist, researcher, and academic with over 20 years of experience in horticultural science, agricultural research, food quality assurance, and agribusiness. He holds a PhD and MSc in Agriculture (Postharvest Technology) from Stellenbosch University and has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Dr Ngcobo has held senior leadership positions at PPECB and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), and previously served as CEO of Impumelelo Agribusiness Solutions. He currently serves as Senior Lecturer in Postharvest Technology, supervising postgraduate students and advancing research on postharvest systems, quality, and value chains.
Dr Tarl Berry
Co - Chair
Tarl Berry is Research Programme Coordinator (Cold Chain) at Citrus Research International, with a dual affiliation at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Horticultural Science. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and specialises in postharvest engineering, cold chain logistics, and export supply chains for the South African citrus industry. His research applies physics-based digital twins, CFD, and numerical modelling to reduce postharvest losses and support market access. He convenes the national Cooling Working Group and authors the CRI Cutting Edge technical bulletin series. He is motivated to join the committee to support Model-IT 2027 and strengthen ties across the postharvest modelling community.
Dr Lucia Ntsoane
General Secretary
Lucia Ntsoane is a Postharvest Researcher at the Agricultural Research Council – Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC), South Africa. Her research focused on postharvest physiology, quality management, postharvest-harvest technologies and value-chain optimisation of horticultural crops. She is involved in multidisciplinary research aimed at reducing postharvest losses, maintaining food quality and safety, and enhancing market access for fresh produce. Additionally, contributes to research initiatives that support sustainable agricultural development, agro-processing innovation, and food security.
Dr. Buhle Maphosa
Assistant Secretary, Logistics and Accommodation
Dr. Buhle Maphosa is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Horticultural Science at Stellenbosch University, with a background in agricultural engineering, crop science, and food science. Her research focuses on postharvest technology, sustainable food systems, and agro-processing innovations that contribute to food security and climate resilience. Her experience includes research, teaching, mentoring, and coordinating academic and community engagement activities. Through participation in multidisciplinary research projects and international collaborative programs, she has developed strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills. She is motivated to serve on the Local Organizing Committee and contribute to a successful, impactful conference experience for participants.
Prof Buntu Godongwana
Marketing and Adverts
Prof Buntu Godongwana is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Africa (UNISA) with over 15 years of academic and research experience. His research focuses on mathematical modelling of transport phenomena, photocatalytic and UV photolysis reactors, and postharvest technologies for horticultural applications, with publications in leading international journals and several competitively funded research projects. He has supervised postgraduate students, serves as a reviewer for leading journals, and has extensive experience in international research collaboration. He is motivated to join the organising committee to advance interdisciplinary collaboration and promote innovative mathematical modelling solutions for sustainable horticultural systems
Dr Bongo Mabusela
Registration
Bongo Mabusela is a Chemical Engineer with over seven years of research experience, specializing in Biosystems Engineering. Their research focuses on developing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions for postharvest management, food security, and agro-processing. They joined the conference organising committee to contribute to the successful planning of a high-quality scientific conference, and serving on the committee provides an opportunity to strengthen professional networks.
Dr Anelle Blanckenberg
Program and Venue Management
Anelle is a lecturer and researcher in Horticultural Science at Stellenbosch University, specializing in integrated avocado and macadamia production systems from preharvest management to postharvest quality and supply-chain performance. Their work combines field experimentation, modelling approaches, and industry-linked projects, alongside supervising postgraduate students and managing multi-partner research contracts. They are motivated to join the Model-IT Local Organising Committee to help showcase Stellenbosch as a hub for innovative horticultural modelling and to strengthen links between researchers, industry, and technology providers in the region hosting the 2027 symposium.
Dr. Robert Lufu
Technical Desk Support
Dr. Robert Lufu is a Food Scientist and lecturer at Stellenbosch University with current research interests in NIR spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, chemometrics, postharvest technology, cold chain management and packaging design. His research integrates non-destructive imaging techniques, chemometrics, Artificial intelligence and computational mathematical modelling to preserve food quality and ensure food safety. He is motivated to contribute to the conference by supporting a platform that advances modelling innovations across pre-harvest and postharvest processes.
Dr Rebogile Mphahlele
Payments
Dr Rebogile Mphahlele holds a PhD in Horticultural Sciences, specialising in postharvest technologies. She has extensive expertise in horticulture, with experience in lecturing, mentoring, postgraduate supervision, and research focusing on the postharvest biology and physiology of fruit crops, fruit phytochemicals, and minimal processing. She currently works in the regulatory sector, where her focus is on the registration and regulation of agricultural remedies at the Department of Agriculture.
Dr Julia Meitz-Hopkins
Post Conference Tours
Dr Julia Meitz-Hopkins is a Plant Pathology specialist for Market Access for pome and stone fruit at Hortgro with a dual affiliation at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Plant Pathology as Research Fellow. She holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences from the University of Warwick (UK) and specialises in Postharvest Pathology with over 20 years research experience. Her research focuses on fungal pathogens causing decay of fruit crops and the reduction of postharvest losses. She believes technological advances will significantly contribute to food safety and is keen to participate in the ISHS organising committee as post conference tour organiser to showcase the local industry.
Dr Alemayehu Ambaw Tsige
Scientific Committee Chair
Dr Alemayehu Ambaw Tsige is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Horticultural Science at Stellenbosch University, where he heads the Packaging and Cold Chain Research Group within the Africa Institute for Postharvest Technology, Faculty of AgriSciences. Trained across chemical, process, and bioscience engineering, he applies multiphysics modelling, AI, and data-driven predictive analytics to fresh-produce packaging and cold chain systems. His work integrates CFD, X-ray micro-CT, and machine learning to reduce losses along the horticultural supply chain. He is motivated to join the Model-IT scientific committee to advance data-driven modelling and connect African postharvest research with the international modelling community.
Dr Oluwafemi James Caleb
Sponsorship, Marketing and Payments
Dr Oluwafemi James Caleb is passionate about promoting research communication and scientific advancement across all areas of horticultural science, while strengthening the connection between research and industry. Their involvement in the conference organising committee reflects their commitment to fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation within the horticultural sector.