Ek was daar | The roadmap of Anton Rabe

For more than three decades, Anton Rabe has been part of the story of South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry — a journey shaped by change, challenge, opportunity and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to step forward when there was no clear roadmap.

From growing up on a vegetable farm in Philippi and discovering an early love for agriculture, to his years in the army, studies at Stellenbosch, journalism at Landbouweekblad and eventually joining the deciduous fruit industry in 1988, Anton’s career has been anything but ordinary.

He entered the industry at a time when significant change was already on the horizon. He would go on to navigate deregulation, the establishment and evolution of new industry structures, transformation, market access and some of the most challenging periods the deciduous fruit industry has faced. Through it all, one philosophy remained constant: be prepared to make a plan, take responsibility and keep moving forward.

The story of Anton Rabe is also closely intertwined with the story of Hortgro. From the organisation’s evolution after deregulation to the development of a model focused on research, technology, communication, markets, sustainability and transformation, Anton played a central role in shaping an organisation designed to remain relevant to its growers.

But The Roadmap of Anton Rabe is about more than an industry leader. It is a personal journey — filled with family, friendships, leadership, humour, difficult decisions, lessons learned and the people who shared the road along the way.

As Anton reflects on his journey and the future of the industry, his story offers a unique window into where the deciduous fruit industry has come from, how it has evolved, and why its next chapter matters.

Read the full story of Anton Rabe — the man, the journey and the legacy he leaves behind.

Read “The Roadmap of Anton Rabe”