THE TEAM

Nutritionist / Owner

Willem Steyn

I am the owner of a nutrition consultancy company called SwiNE Nutrition Management, established in March 2016. I worked for 6 years as a Swine Nutritionist for the international breeding company, Topigs Norsvin International in the Netherlands. I have attained my Master of Science degree in Animal Nutrition at the University of Pretoria in 2010. My wife and I relocated to the Netherlands in 2010 to start my international career as Swine Nutritionist. During this time I have also completed my Master degree in Business Administration at TIAS School for Business and Society in Utrecht, the Netherlands to support my knowledge in science with an understanding of the business environment.

We moved back to South Africa at the beginning of 2016 to start my own nutritional consultancy company. SwiNE Nutrition Management will focus on developing feed programs and assist pig farmers to unlock the genetic potential of their animals. By using my international experience and broad network I am planning on contributing to the agricultural sector in South Africa, and help unlock the potential that the swine industry has in this country.

Nutritionist / Owner

Philip van den Brink

My name is Philip van den Brink born as a farmer’s son in the Netherlands in 1966. Focussed all my life on pigs and have a passion for improving technical results via feed, feeding and management on farms.
Worked for over 20 years for Provimi and built up a huge international network in the feed industry. I was the founder of Swinco in the Netherlands in 2009 and active to grow this company to its current size. As consultant for Topigs Norsvin I came in contact with Willem Steyn and we decided to work together as SwiNE in South Africa.
Product development and innovation is what I like best and training/coaching of people is the way to exchange my know-how and experience. In this way I would like to be of importance for Swine SA in the African market for now and in the future.

Nutritionist / Research and Development Manager

Jaco Raath

Growing up on a pig farm I worked with pigs every holiday and weekends when possible. I have had a great passion for animals from a young age which has helped shape my chosen profession.
During 2012 I spent time working on pig farms in The Netherlands getting to know the industry on an international level.
I have obtained a BSc Agriculture Animal Science degree from the University of Pretoria. I have been working at SwiNE Nutrition Management as a nutritionist since March 2016.

Administrative Assistant

Estie Botha

Accountant

Michelle Human

I am Michelle Human and I am the accountant at the SwiNE Group.

I started my articles in 2008 at a small – medium size audit firm which gave me a wide range of experience with different types of clients. I took some time off from my career as I relocated to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and The Netherlands with my husband for three and six years respectively. We were fortunate to have many adventures in our travels and became two beautiful daughters richer during this time. I received my BCompt Accounting degree in 2012 and I completed my Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) honours degree in 2016 all through the University of South Africa. We returned to South Africa in 2020 and I completed my SAICA articles in 2022. I am now eligible to register as an Associate General Accountant (AGA(SA)).

I have a great love for animals, and I am continuing learning about the swine industry and also the agriculture sector. I am delighted to be part of the SwiNE team!

Quality Technician

Petro Steyn

I have been married to WJ Steyn for a bit more than ten years; and have supported him through all of his ventures, which included the start of SwiNE Nutrition Management in South Africa. I completed my BSc (Agric) Food Science and Technology degree in 2007 at the University of Pretoria. While we lived abroad I worked for 6 years in the Indoor Staff department at Topigs Norsvin headquarters in the Netherlands; assisting with international invoicing and logistics. I currently also work part-time as a Food Scientist; skilled in sensory evaluation, food processing and food safety and quality.

Office Manager

Dinah Steyn Nel

I joined SwiNE Nutrition Management in 2021 as the Office Manager. Prior to this I was the Assistant Program – and Marketing Coordinator at APA for 1 year and the Head of Department (English) and Marketer at Hoërskool Tuine for 10 years before that. I completed my Master’s Degree in Educational Management and Leadership through UNISA in 2022. I currently live in Pretoria with my husband and two kids.  I see myself as lifelong learner – I always have my finger on the pulse of developments, changes and challenges – ready to formulate a solution.