Two-a-Day achieves landmark certification as South Africa’s first agribusiness top employer

SOUTH AFRICA – Two-a-Day, a major player in South Africa’s fruit-growing and marketing sector, has been recognized as the first agribusiness in the country to achieve Top Employer certification from the Netherlands-based Top Employers Institute.

This accolade underscores the company’s dedication to maintaining exceptional employee conditions and fostering growth across all organizational levels.

“We employ approximately 2,000 people, each playing an integral role in our business. We are considered a big employer in our small community; therefore, it is important that our employees are happy at work and that our standards are world-class,” said Dimitri Jacobs, group human resources director at Two-a-Day.

Operating from Grabouw, Two-a-Day is among Africa’s leading companies in fruit production and marketing, exporting approximately 7 million cartons of apples and pears annually.

Another 2 million cartons are sold within South Africa. All produce is marketed by Tru-Cape, in which the company holds a 50% stake.

Earlier this year, Two-a-Day set out to benchmark its HR practices against global standards. The rigorous evaluation assessed 255 areas, with the company achieving an impressive 66.76%, surpassing the minimum requirement of 60% for certification.

“We always try our best, but the certification confirmed that we are on the right track. As a business, we do a lot for the people in our community, and it is good to be recognized for it,” Dimitri added.

While technology plays a vital role in ensuring competitiveness, the company’s leadership emphasizes that its people remain the core of its success.

Managing Director Attie van Zyl highlighted this balance, saying, “The accreditation highlights that agribusinesses in South Africa can compete equally well with other industries regarding employment opportunities and ethical standards.”

Two-a-Day has invested heavily in programs to enhance employee well-being and professional growth. These include bursaries for workers, competitive salaries benchmarked through Deloitte, and access to a full-time doctor, psychologist, and social worker.

Additionally, through the Ratelberg Solar initiative, which is entirely employee-owned, workers benefit directly from one of South Africa’s largest rooftop solar installations.

Dimitri noted, “We aim to create a fulfilling environment at Two-a-Day by supplying the appropriate tools and opportunities for training and growth.”

Looking ahead, Two-a-Day aspires to join South Africa’s top 20 employers by 2025. The company plans to focus on leadership development and improve its digital infrastructure to enhance the experience for employees and applicants alike.

“In 2025, our focus will be to improve in all categories to achieve a score of 70%. It will require commitment, but it is important to us,” Dimitri stated.

Tru-Cape’s Managing Director, Roelf Pienaar, celebrated the achievement, noting its significance in showcasing South Africa’s ethical labor practices to international markets.

“It is important to demonstrate to our 105 global markets that our premium apples and pears are produced ethically and packaged under fair labor conditions in a safe, inclusive environment,” Pienaar said.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s apple and pear exports are projected to rise in 2024 due to favorable weather conditions.

Apple production is expected to grow by 7% and pear production by 6%, buoyed by strong performances from key varieties and easing freight costs.

As Two-a-Day continues to grow and refine its practices, this recognition not only validates its efforts but also sets a benchmark for agribusinesses across the region.

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