John has brought four years experience of developing marula oil products with Kgetsi ya Tsie in Botswana, as well as strong business management experience. By the current succession plan, he will hand over the role of Executive Director to General Manager, Chris Dlamini, probably in 2010, moving into a resident consultant role.

After two years as Production Manager, Chris has recently become General Manager, while still keeping the wheel turning in production. After graduating in Chemistry and Mathematics, Chris gained many years senior management experience with Swaziland Beverages. He is now studying part time for an MBA with ESAMI in readiness to take over as Executive Director at some point in 2010.

Sindile began with SIP making soap when we started back in 2005, before progressing to the role of Procurement Officer. Since then, she has steadily taken on more responsibility and now heads up all liaison with our supplier communities. This includes facilitating 33 self help groups, ensuring compliance with organic certification and establishing Member Groups. She is also the model on our Shh! posters.

Zanele joined SIP as Finance & Administration Officer in 2007. She is now responsible for both Finance and Swazi sales, while training to take on overall responsibility for Sales & Marketing in the future. It is an unusual switch but Zanele's warm, engaging manner makes her well suited to the new role.

Bongani Hadzebe knows about natural oil pressing from A to Z, having started with SIP as an oil presser when the factory opened in 2005. Now Production Supervisor, he is also constantly monitoring the oil quality and yield - and always seeking to improve both. He is training to take over the role of Production Manager when Chris Dlamini moves up to Executive Director.

Jabu is one of the Member Services team, buying raw materials from the rural women, but also assisting in organic training, setting up Member Groups and supporting the self help groups. Jabu has been with SIP since the factory opened, having started as a Production Assistant.

Lindiwe started as a temporary worker, pulping marula fruit but has since moved on to the full time staff as a Production Assistant. She is also trained to assist in conducting quality tests in the laboratory.

Khulile joined SIP in May 2008 to strengthen Administration and Finance - and brings a lot to the team with a cool, sharp mind and a warm heart. Equipped with a Diploma in Business Management and Administration, she is preparing to take over the role of Finance and Administration Officer within SIP's Succession Plan.

Stefanie works as a part time Project Manager, overseeing special projects and innovations. With 10 years experience in European marketing, she successfully led the team achieving Organic Certification for SIP and is currently driving projects for the re-design and re-packaging of Swazi Secrets and for the Fair Trade certification of our products.

Thoko joined SIP when it started in 2005 as our cleaner. While she was helping out on Production, we discovered that Thoko had hidden talents - firstly she took our gift pack and greatly improved the presentation, while secondly she has shown a marked ability for solving production problems. She is now a highly valued member of the Production Team.

Bongiwe Dube started with SIP as a temporary presser two years ago before making her mark in marula sweet production. She is very popular with customers at the Factory Shop and has recently taken on the task of managing Factory Sales.

Sifiso is another original staff member, having joined when the factory opened. He is skilled in maximising oil yields, while also having a keen eye on oil quality. He works with marula and trichilia oils. Sifiso has recently completed a Stock Management course and taken on responsibility for controlling stocks within the factory.

Lungile first worked at SIP as a temporary assistant pulping marula fruit for sweet production. When the season finished, she joined the permanent staff to assist in Production.

Phetsile used to crack and supply marula kernels to the factory then added the responsibility of being organic representative for her home area of Malindza. She now works as a full time staff member, making the range of marula cosmetics.

Nomsa joined the staff originally to provide maternity cover but slotted into the production team so well that she was retained afterwards as a Production Assistant to cope with rising production levels. She is seen here cutting soaps.

Outside, Sikhumbuso Matsebula takes great pride in developing the grounds as a showpiece for indigenous trees, as well as undertaking maintenance tasks around the Factory.