About SASTA
SASTA, the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association, is a professional body for individuals involved in the South African sugar industry. Our mission is to elevate the technical knowledge of those shaping the future of the industry. SASTA promotes scientific exchange related to sugarcane agriculture and the processing of sugarcane products. This exchange takes place via various platforms, all of which are available to its members.
SASTA Congress 2026: Keynote Speaker: Dr Freddy Garcés
Integration and Innovation for Sustainability
Dr Freddy Garcés, CEO of the Sugarcane Research Institute, Cenicaña in Colombia, was our guest and keynote speaker at Congress this year. The Colombian sugarcane agro-industry is a similar size to the South African sector and in 2024 15 mills crushed 22.1 million tons of sugarcane from 239,472 ha under cane. They produced 2 million tons sugar, 184 000 tons molasses, 406 million L bioethanol, 1,876 GWh electricity, 6.3 million tons bagasse were used for co-gen and paper production, and 322,000 metric tons of organic fertilisers.
Cenicañhttps://youtu.be/T_LtPfUQURYa receive 0.65% of their industry’s sugar and ethanol sales, and a good integration between grower and milling sectors was evident. They have 305 researchers and an enthusiastic knowledge management department comprising 16 people and QR codes to access information are widely used.
With his kind permission, the presentation may be viewed here: view video
SASTA Congress 2025: Keynote Speaker: Liesel Kassier
Resilient Revenue: Sustainable Business Models in the Sugar Value Chain
Liesel Kassier is the Metair Academic Head of Sustainable Manufacturing at the Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies, responsible for developing the institute’s sustainable manufacturing and finance curriculum and research. A respected voice in sustainability and energy strategy, Liesel brings a unique perspective to this year’s congress, drawing on nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of renewable energy, finance, and industrial policy.
Liesel previously worked at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), developing energy master plans for eThekwini Municipality, Dube Trade Port, and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone. While working for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, she helped establish renewable energy zones, energy trading agencies, and align provincial and national policy for the sugar industry.
Her expertise spans renewable energy, sustainability reporting, financial structuring, and policy advocacy. Notable achievements include structuring a 220MW Solar PV project, designing financial guarantees with international financial institutes, and managing trading licence applications for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.
With her kind permission, the presentation may be viewed here.
SASTA Congress 2022: Keynote Speaker
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman
Since its inception in 1992, Gift of the Givers foundation has been responsible for providing life-saving goods and on-the-ground support (collectively valued at R2.3 billion) to people in more than 43 countries across the world, including South Africa.
The foundation is the largest non-governmental disaster response organisation of African origin on the African continent. It unites people with a common vision to make a real and telling difference for the “Greater Good”.
It was indeed a pleasure and honour to host the founder of the Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman as keynote speaker at Congress this year. In an inspiring talk entitled, ‘Active Citizenry, the Door to South Africa’s Success’, Dr Sooliman described how ordinary citizens have the power to transform societies across the world. With selfless effort, South Africans have the power to transform our country into a nation we can all be proud of, and which will serve as a beacon of light to the rest of the world.
With his kind permission, the full talk is available here. We hope you will be inspired to participate selflessly when solving problems for the greater good of all.
view video
SASTA Webinar 2: 20 January 2021: The Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan to 2030
The Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan to 2030 is a social compact between the sugar industry, government, workers’ unions and downstream users and buyers of sugar to stabilise, sustain and grow the economy based on sugarcane. SASA’s Commercial Director, Judith Wilson provides insight into the development of the Master Plan.
SASTA Webinar 1: 20 August 2020: Agricultural and Milling Reviews
The programme for the first-ever SASTA webinar held on 20 August 2020 comprised of the two reviews that are traditionally presented on the opening day of congress, namely, Review of the South African sugarcane production season 2019-20 (A Singels, et al) and Ninety-fifth annual review of the milling season in southern Africa2019-20 (S Madho, et al). Almost 100 delegates attended this inaugural online event, many of whom were able to claim Continuing Professional Development points