Niel Hugo

Daniel Hugo — known to everyone simply as Niel — grew up in Victoria West in the Karoo as the youngest of three sons. He started his education at a small farm school before heading to boarding school. After two years in the military, he studied Economics at Stellenbosch University. The Karoo remains deep within him — calm, thoughtful, and people-oriented. His brother still farms there, and as Niel enters a calmer pace of life, he looks forward to spending more time in that part of the world.

Rugby was a major part of his younger years. He played for Maties and later earned his place in the Western Province team, where he played 146 matches, as well as two international matches in 1989. In the early eighties, he played in the south of France — an experience that broadened his horizons. In the position of Lock, he learned a simple but lasting lesson: make decisions together as a team and then stand by them together

In 2013, Niel joined Mpact. By then, he had already built decades of relationships within the agricultural sector. He has seen firsthand how the deciduous fruit industry has grown by more than four hundred percent since the eighties, and he speaks with pride about the farmers and their teams who drive that growth and reinvest in their communities. As Niel says: “This is a big industry, but actually also a small industry.” For him, it is always about people — keeping them together, building trust, and walking the path together.

Andrew Paterson

Mpact’s national agricultural sales manager, Andrew Paterson, believes strongly in the power of a team. Growing up in Port Elizabeth, he studied education and later completed a Master’s degree in Social Psychology, focusing on how integrated sport can influence young people and bridge boundaries. Rugby played a significant role in his early years — he played for Eastern Province and Western Province and was a Springbok reserve in 1989.

He spent many seasons on the field with Niel Hugo, and the lessons from those years still shape him: be disciplined, support your teammates, and maintain perspective. He often refers to insights from leaders like Rassie Erasmus to illustrate a point — because for Andrew, sport and life go hand in hand.

Andrew has spent the majority of his career in the agricultural sector, building long-lasting industry relationships over the years. Moving from sales intern to national leader, he has focused on consistency, service, and understanding what drives people. Having experienced early loss in his own life, he values steadfast leadership and believes in being truly present — especially during difficult times. For him, agriculture is about long-term partnerships built on trust, not just transactions.

He has been married to Marinda for twenty-six years and is a proud father of two sons. Andrew keeps his life balanced with family, cycling, and ongoing involvement in school rugby. Whether mentoring a colleague or working alongside a farmer, his approach remains straightforward: give your best, stay committed, and remember that strong teams — on the field and in business — are built on trust and shared effort.