Equity/capital assets are entirely owned by the Ncera community under the leadership of the Imidushane Council. The Vulindlela Investment Trust, representing the community in Ncera Macadamia Farming, has majority shareholding with the option of increased shareholding in the future.

The shareholding percentage is subject to review in the event of any changes to the current funding source.

Jongolo is the inaugural Chairman of the Ncera Macadamia Farming Board of Directors. He is also Chairman of the Border Kei Training Trust board, and a director on the boards of the Groot Constantia Trust and Kula Macadamia.

Jongolo has over 30 years’ experience. Previous roles included former Mayoral Executive Member of the Amathole District Municipality and Chief Executive Officer Bato Star Fishing Co. He also served as an Executive Committee Member of the Border / Kei Development Forum.

Trevor Simpson’s role in South Africa’s macadamia industry has earned him an honorary life membership of the Southern African Macadamia Association (SAMAC). Simpson is the Chairperson of the TGK Farming Group and has approximately 43 years’ experience in the farming industry and corporate business management. His experiences include his responsibility for the development of a 400 ha (with a potential of 600 ha) macadamia estate  considered the largest in the world at the time. Trevor was awarded honorary life membership of the Southern African Macadamia Association (SAMAC) for services rendered and has served on the board of SAMAC for five years (the last three as Chairman). He currently holds Directorships in Quality Express, Ncera Macadamia Farming and Amajingqi Macadamia Farming.

NomaXhosa Jongilanga is the Chairperson of the Vulindlela Investment Trust and a founding member of the Macadamia Skills Academy. She has vast experience in National Tourism with strengths in Strategic Planning, Marketing and Stakeholder Relations and Capacity Development. NomaXhosa holds a BA Honours degree in Sociology from the University Of Fort Hare, a Certificate in Marketing Management from Wits University, a WTO (World Tourism Organisation) Practicum Diploma from the World Tourism Organisation and a Project Management Diploma from DBSA.

Over a 20-year period, Mkululi Pakade established several successful companies from the ground up and built them into formidable brands. Pakade’s investment portfolio includes shareholding at Kula Development and Business Solutions, Lukhozi Consulting Engineers PMN Property Trust, Lukhanji Leisure, Ncera Macadamia Farming and Ikusasa Green. Pakade has a BSc Honours Degree in Development Studies, and holds several diplomas in Business Management; Project Management; Management Practice and Higher Education.

Nonceba Dweba is the current secretary of the Ncera Women’s Association and a Traditional Councillor of the Imidushane Tribal Council. She holds a Certificate in Poultry Assistant and Business Skills from the Mawande Training Centre. Nonceba has worked for various institutions including the Buffalo City Metro Municipality and the Independent Electoral Commission.

Mthandozo Kwesaba holds an Agribusiness Certificate from the Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Institution and a Leadership Skills certificate from the Macadamia Skills academy. He is currently studying Project Management (NQF4 level) with the Macadamia Skills Academy. Mthandazo’s area of expertise is in quality management and negotiation skills. Mthandazo’s ambitions are to source business opportunities/ partnerships in Ncera through land use; creation of robust cooperatives & SMME’s in Ncera; strengthening land use management with the view of aiding social ills in Ncera; and contributing to youth development through sports and arts. He is also an ex-officio member to the Ncera Youth Development Foundation.

Sivuyisekile Unathi Mabena has a background in fashion having worked as a designer for various fashion houses in Johannesburg. She has also worked for the international clothing brand H&M in England gaining experience in sales and customer interaction. Her award winning fashion design house has designed gowns for top politicians in the country. Sivuyisekile holds a National Diploma in Clothing Production from East London College.

Khulile Ntozakhe has over 15 years’ experience in the development sector having worked for Triple Trust Organisation & Yakhani Development Services as a trainer in Business Skills and Leather Works. He also holds a leadership position as a Junior Pastor at the Christ Ambassadors Church International.

Nomakhaya Banjwa has experience in farming, manufacturing and education. She holds a certificate in Communication, Budgeting & Baking from the Ncera Agricultural Development, in Planting Crop Management from N.S.W. Farming Service, a Business Skills certificate from the Siphamandla Training Centre & Sibanye Trust Organisation and a Small Business Training in Leather from Triple Trust Organisation. She has been a delegate for a land summit in Polokwane, a Women’s Parliament in Cape Town. Her achievements include being inducted to the office of elders in the United Reformed Church. Nomakhaya has won awards as the Best Female Farmer in the Market category in 2007; Female Farmer of the Year District Category in the Eastern Cape in 2008; and a Provincial Finalist Community Builder of the Year in 2008.

Simthembile Vayeka has vast experience leading and co-ordinating for various community and political organisations. He is currently an Executive Director for Amajwarha Trading (Pty) Ltd and JME Safety and Securities (Pty) Ltd. He is also a Road Safety Ambassador for the Road Traffic Management Cooperation; a Regional Executive Committee Member in the Youth and Rural Development portfolio for the South African Youth Council; an African Youth Coordinator for the Chamber of Rural Development Agriculture and Commerce; an Executive Member of Progressive Youth in Business in the Eastern Cape; an Executive Committee Member of Phakamani Arise an NPO in Youth Sports and Culture; a member of the Community Road Safety Council for the Amathole’s Department of Transport; a Provincial Executive Committee Member of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO); a Provincial Committee Member of the Young Communist League of South Africa; a Branch Chairperson of the African National Congress Youth League and a Board member of Ncera Macadamia Farming.