Morne Deetlefs

With nearly 30 years experience in the food business, the last 17 being outside South Africa, I have created and grown businesses in various countries. I have held a number of executive roles, but I am an entrepreneur at heart and enjoy the challenge of growth-phase businesses. In addition to a successful track record in strategy development, concept development, new market entry and operations, I have also been responsible for the turnaround of struggling businesses. Most recently, I founded and built the fastest growing chain of casual dining restaurants in Kenya. I enjoy employing creativity in order for businesses and the people who run them to deliver results they are proud of. I dedicate some of my free time to groups and individuals who share in my passion and vision for a business environment that is based on sharing knowledge and experience, supporting ideas and initiatives, creating opportunity for young and eager entrepreneurs to showcase their talents, and knowing that at some point during their journey, there will be moral choices to be made, difficult times to navigate and that the sacrifices made, may not always be rewarded by financial success, rather personal growth and learning your own strengths and shortcomings and how you use this experience to try harder and come back stronger.