About Us
We are a level 3 B-BBEE empowered company. We employ over 7000 people at 13 manufacturing facilities across the country. As a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) and a bottler for The Coca-Cola Company, our vision is to refresh Africa every day & make our continent a better place for all.
We manufacture and distribute Coca-Cola beverages that make life’s everyday moments more enjoyable, while doing business the right way. The result is shared opportunity for our customers, our employees, our communities, and our shareholders. We conduct our business ethically, transparently and conscientiously. We espouse an inclusive business culture to reflect our African identity.
We accelerate sustainable, profitable revenue growth across all categories and offer an innovative portfolio of products that respond to customer needs & consumer preferences. Profitability is important, but not at any cost.
People matter. Our planet matters.
We do business the right way by following our values and partnering for solutions that benefit us all.
Our Mission
Customer Centric Organisation
Delivering sustainable and profitable revenue growth through outstanding service.
Productivity & Responsiveness
Enabling a continuous improvement culture to create superior shareholder returns.
Consumer Relevance
Executing a total beverage portfolio across segments and categories in partnership with brands.
Community/ Partner Impact
By making a difference in sustainability, safety, empowerment and local sourcing.
Employee Empowerment
By mobolising to execute our plans and transform our system with agility.
Our Values
We execute our values with the highest integrity and drive to exceed on our commitments.
- Acountability is clear and personal
- We work and win in teams across CCBSA
- We have a passion for our business, brands, customers, people and the communities in which we operate
- Safety, sustainability & governance underpin our license to trade
- We are humble and confident in all we do
- We think and act like owners at all times
Leadership
Velaphi Ratshefola
Managing Director
Velaphi had the privilege of leading the integration of six different entities to form Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa. Until his appointment as CCBSA Managing Director in 2016, Bra V, as he is popularly known – was MD of ABI Bottling PTY (LTD). He was instrumental in establishing the business’ Route to Market strategy which is globally renowned, leading to the creation of thousands of local jobs and double-digit sales growth in the traditional market class of trade. Velaphi has led the business to winning multiple global and supplier awards. He is committed to creating a conducive environment for women to thrive and ensure they realise their fullest potential and career aspirations. His vision and passion for gender balance and inclusion, has seen the company having a 28.5% of women in top management, 40.85% representation of women in senior management, 50.77% in the middle management, and 31.31% in junior management.
Through his efforts in the empowerment of women, he won the Women in Leadership Award at the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa GMM and the Top Gender Empowered Male: Driving Gender Empowerment at the Standard Bank Top Women Awards in 2019, 2020 and 2021. In 2019, Velaphi established the Men of Honour, a call-to-action for men in our organisation to engage more honestly around the issues that impact women and encourage them to contribute towards stopping GBV.
Bra V is an inspirational and engaging leader who inspires loyalty and commitment from those he leads.
Walter Leonhardt
Financial Director
As Finance Director at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), Walter is a seasoned finance professional in the FMCG beverage industry, having occupied senior financial and operational management roles in the alcoholic ready to drink (ARTD) and non-alcoholic ready to drink (NARDT) industries. With a strong background in finance and business support, as well an in-depth understanding of the industry, Walter has brought exceptional skills and insight to his role as Finance Director at CCBSA. This has proven especially valuable in the context of challenging trading conditions in the past few years where he has led several large finance projects to optimise productivity and provide business support and restoring the business’s profitable growth.
One of Walter’s significant achievements includes the integration of six South African operating entities into one, post the CCBSA merger in 2016 and the implementation of one ERP system across the newly formed R30bn organisation. Walter is a professional who pays meticulous attention to detail and engages colleagues constructively, he believes in leading with integrity and in coaching in mentorship to build talent and the next cohort of leaders. Walter is also passionate about environmental issues, both in CCBSA and in his personal capacity.
At the coveted 2016 CFO awards, Walter collected two awards – the Finance Transformation, as well as the Governance & Compliance awards. A task master, who demands only the best from his team an everyone who works closely with him, he is equally generous with his praise and provides support to those who need it.
Walter is a qualified Chartered Accountant, a Certified Director and holds and Advanced Diploma in Labour Law. His hobbies include cycling, both mountain biking and cycling long distances on the beach.
Agatha Masemola
Strategy and Performance Director
Agatha joined CCBSA in April 2020 from Absa Corporate and Investment Bank Africa, where she held various roles in the past nine years, including as Managing Principal for Strategy & Business Transformation and Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive of Barclays Africa Corporate Bank. She was a key figure in the build-out and integration of the Corporate Bank across 13 African markets.
Prior to joining Absa, Agatha was a Senior Management Consultant in Strategy and Innovation at Deloitte Consulting, South Africa. At Deloitte, Agatha worked on several executive-sponsored strategy and innovation projects across various sectors, as well as driving new business development. Prior to Deloitte, she worked in Life Sciences R&D for over ten years, both as a full-time researcher with publications in peer reviewed journals, and as a Portfolio Manager & COO for a biotechnology fund management, focusing on investment in early-stage biotech ventures and commercialisation.
Agatha holds a PhD in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Cape Town and has completed post-Doctoral research in South Africa and the USA. She obtained her BSc (Biochemistry and Physiology) and MSc (Biochemistry) from the University of the North. She completed a Management Advancement Programme at Wits Business School to help her transition from laboratory to business.
Agatha loves to travel and enjoys experiencing different cultures and sampling local cuisine.
Henry Peek
Manufacturing & Technical Director
Henry started his career in the FMCG industry with Unilever in 1997, gaining experience in production, operational excellence and new product development roles. In 2005 he joined SABMiller Group Technical as Group Manufacturing Development Consultant, working on the development of the SABMiller Manufacturing Way, the implementation of operational excellence in SABMiller international brewery operations and the operational onboarding and integration of new acquisitions into the SABMiller group. During this period he provided operational support to operations in North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
In 2009 Henry joined the Coke system as Manufacturing Development Manager for ABI prior to taking on a role as plant manager in Midrand. In 2015 Henry was assigned to the CCBA integration team on a permanent basis where he worked as integration lead for the manufacturing workstream. In 2016 he became Regional Supply Chain Manager for the Gauteng & Inland region in the newly formed CCBSA, responsible for manufacturing, warehousing and distribution in the region, until his appointment as Manufacturing and Technical Director in 2019.
Henry’s academic achievements include graduating Cum Laude with a M.Sc in Chemical Engineering (NWU) and an MBA from Leicestershire Business School (UK). He’s excelled in leadership at every stage of his manufacturing career and the business has greatly benefitted from his combined manufacturing and profit-focussed leadership, as well as the invaluable experience gained from the strategic global business projects he’s led.
Mkuseli Dlikilili
Human Resources Director
Prior to Mkuseli’s appointment to CCBSA, Mkuseli was Group Executive: Human Resources at Pioneer Foods, he worked for leading South African organisations, including Eskom, SAB, Dulux and Portnet.
Mkuseli’s extensive experience in the FMCG environment includes playing a leading role in Pioneer Foods’ successful listing on the JSE and the integration of SA Dried Fruit and Ceres Fruit Juices. Mkuseli is passionate about empowering and developing people to realise their full potential, as well as contributing positively to all the spheres of their lives, and the accentuation of human dignity. He describes himself as an authentic, resilient, reliable, courageous, humble, principled and value-based person, and a committed Human Resources professional.
Rakesh Rajbally
Commercial Director
Rakesh joined the Coke system in 1996. He encompasses a well-rounded experience, having previously served in senior roles within Sales, Warehousing, Distribution, and General Management. He is a leading strategist in Route to Market, Sales and Marketing, Operations, and Revenue Growth Management within the South African soft drinks market. As such, he’s gained the respect of Coca-Cola bottlers globally.
In 2021, Rakesh was bestowed CCBSA’s highest accolade of CCBSA Grand Master. Among the attributes of a Master, which Rakesh displays on a daily basis, is exemplary commitment, fortitude, passion, and loyalty to the company. The accolade also recognises a high level of value-adding leadership contributed during tenure.
Nozicelo Ngcobo
Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Director
Nozicelo started her corporate career in 1994 when she was recruited by Sasol into their Management Trainee Programme of the top 16 academic graduates in South Africa – class of 1993. In addition to Sasol, Nozicelo has since worked for listed companies such as Telkom SA, South African Breweries (SAB) as well as multi-national organisations such as Philip Morris International (PMI). In 2020, Nozicelo joined Coca Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) as Director for PACS.
Nozicelo has a demonstrable track record in successfully developing and managing corporate affairs and regulatory strategies for complex industries such as alcohol, tobacco and recently the beverages industry. Nozicelo has strong professional networks spanning more than 25 years in both public and private sectors. Her strategic insights, value creation, solutions orientation, strong business/political acumen, solid networks and ability to mobilise teams to successfully execute towards a common vision are just some of the many attributes she brings into any organisation.
Nozicelo is an advocate of human rights, animal rights and has a passion for youth/women empowerment.
Desilan Pillay
Logistics Director
He joined the Coke system as a Unit Manager Designate at ABI Midrand in 2008. Desilan encompasses 20 years of management experience from companies including Afrox (Linde Group), the South African Breweries (ABI soft drinks and SABMiller – now ABInbev), and Unilever.
He has a wealth of experience and a vast skillset within South Africa and across the African continent – all at executive levels. This includes, but is not limited to, project management, engineering, production (gases), packaging (FMCG), as well as operations management, financial management, sales and distribution, procurement, and planning (demand, supply, and production). Desilan has managed portfolios across end-to-end Supply Chain (Sourcing, Demand, and Supply Planning), Warehouse Management, Production, and Distribution, including Customer Care, After-sales and reverse logistics. He was also accountable for the delivery of service excellence in order fulfilment, cost of goods sold enhancement via strategic sourcing, and the overall cash optimisation (inventory) across the business. His most recent role before re-joining the CCBSA family is as the Chief Operations Officer at Anchor Holdings, one of the largest privately-owned warehousing companies in South Africa.
Desilan is a qualified Mechanical Engineer and has completed a Management Development Programme from UCT. His areas of expertise include building high performance teams and E2E supply chain and commercial acumen.
Desilan has been happily married for the past 16 years and has a 12-year-old daughter and 18-month-old twins – a boy and a girl. In his spare time, he enjoys seeing new sights locally and abroad. He is always planning his next trip to an exciting destination together with his family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is the South African-based subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA).
To be the best Coca-Cola bottler in the world and Africa’s most valuable food and beverage company.
CCBSA operates in four sales territories – Inland, Coastal, North and Gauteng, covering the sales territories previously allocated to Coca-Cola Fortune, ABI and Shanduka.
We have 13 manufacturing plants situated in Polokwane, Pretoria West, Midrand, Devland, Nigel, Wadeville, Heidelberg, Phoenix, Bloemfontein, Elgin and Epping.
We employ 7 500 employees.
170 000 retail outlets are looked after by our dedicated teams.
We produce and sell 8 sparkling brands and 11 still brands.
- We have a passion for the Coca-Cola business and for the brand
- We think and act like owners at all times
- We work and win in teams across the business
- Accountability is clear and personal
- We are humble but confident in all we do
- Sustainability is integral to our working lives
- All of this we do with the highest integrity and drive to perform
As a responsible corporate citizen we focus on:
- Water usage efficiency
- Efficient energy use
- Sustainable packaging and
- Giving back to communities where we operate
We are committed to doing business ethically, respecting all relevant codes and regulations applicable to our industry, sphere of business and societal influence. We consider this vital to winning and maintaining the trust and respect of all our customers and stakeholders.
We continuously strive for excellent partnerships with all those who support our business. In line with our values, we aspire to being an organisation that works in the best interest of three key stakeholders: consumers, retailers and society.
CCBSA is a responsible corporate citizen. In this context we focus on education, environmental management and youth development.
Our Schools Recycling Programme is one of the various initiatives that CCBSA has embarked on. In 2017, 597 schools participated in the programme and collected 1 146t tonnes of PET, cans and paper. This year, the post-consumer waste collection target was exceeded by 40%.
Additionally, in 2005, Coca-Cola teamed up with industry partners to form a PET recycling company (PETCO). The target is to collect, in association with its partners, 170 000 tonnes by 2022 with the target for 2017 at 96 655 tonnes. PETCO currently recycles more bottles than those going into landfill. Collection rates are currently at 58%, which is a 3% increase from 2016. Post-consumer PET bottles are collected, recycled and converted into fibre, which can be used in clothing, bedding and furniture. The 74 300 tonnes of post-consumer PET collected in 2015 translates into the creation of an estimated 50 000 income opportunities for informal collectors.
Bizniz in a Box is an innovative Youth & Women Empowerment Programme (YWEP) which helps build township and rural economies by developing black youth-owned businesses that are responsive to the needs of their communities. It aims to help reduce youth unemployment, poverty, and inequality. The programme was adjusted in 2020 to achieve scale & drive greater impact.
Launched in 2020, the Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) Coke Ville Project- an off-grid, solar-powered groundwater harvesting, and treatment programme, is targeted at indigent communities experiencing water insecurity. To date the project has generated more than 150 million litres of water to the benefit of more than 15 000 households in urban and peri-urban communities across 9 sites in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal, with a projected 12 more systems planned for 2022.
CCBSA is committed to enterprise development as an investment for the future and transformation of South Africa.
We reinvest capital in local businesses through our Local Distribution Partners (LDPs) and the Grow My Business training programme for small retail owners.
We currently have 126 LDPs which are local community businesses, run by local people employing local people. The programme has created 450 job opportunities to date. 93% of LDP owners are equity appointments with 20% owned by black females.
We have trained over 6 800 customers on the Grow My Business programme to grow their businesses sustainably into the future. With each trader supporting at least 4 people with their business income, this means nearly nearly 34 036 people have benefited from the programme. 95.2% of programme participants significantly increased their business skills and 98.4% reported a sales increase. Furthermore, 11.1% of owners were able to employ 1 or more person(s) as a result of the training.
We also have a youth empowerment programme called Bizniz in a Box. After successfully giving unemployed youth the opportunity to become entrepreneurs in the Free State, CCBSA’s innovative enterprise development initiative is being expanded across the country. Founded in 2015 and supported by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), Bizniz in a Box was established to make a meaningful and sustainable impact on youth unemployment and enterprise development. Young people currently constitute more than 35% of South Africa’s population and many of them face significant barriers to entering the formal job market.
Bizniz in a Box involves the selection, training, participation and eventual economic independence of a cross-section of township youth between the ages of 24 and 35. Successful candidates are enabled to manage and run their own stores in the area where they live. They are also provided with basic training in marketing and sales, stock management and finance management, and given access to funding.
