About Us
The South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO) is a non-profit organisation focused on uniting and growing the organic agriculture sector in South Africa.
We work to unite farmers, producers, retailers and consumers of organic products to collectively protect the future food freedom and natural ecology of South Africa, and we collaborate with organisations whose strategies are aligned.
Why SAOSO was Formed
In 2008, the NEDLAC Trade and Industries Chamber Fund for Research into Industrial Development Growth and Equity (FRIDGE) study was published.
This study developed a value chain strategy for sustainable development and the growth of organic agriculture, and included the establishment of a body to represent the organic sector in the country. Subsequently in 2009, SAOSO was founded.
Our Guiding Principles
A member of IFOAM Organics International, SAOSO is guided by the four principles of organic farming: health, fairness, ecology and care.
We recognise that food sovereignty begins with the right to seed, and respect for the soil and biodiversity.

Our work is linked to the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals and the Seventh Generation Principle.
The Seventh Generation Principle is an Indigenous Knowledge concept that encourages us to think seven generations ahead – about 140 years into the future – and to decide whether our decisions today will benefit those children seven generations from now into our future.
Our Core Group

Alan Rosenberg
Chairperson
Alan Rosenberg has been working locally and internationally in the organic and agroecological sector for nearly 50 years.

Brett Sander
Vice-Chairperson
Brett has over a decade of experience in organic farming and sustainable community development in the Western Cape.

Busisiwe Mgangxela
Busi has been farming for over a decade using organic and agroecological methods with the aim of growing nutrient dense food that is sustainably produced.

Matt Purkis
Matt has spent the past decade working in agro-ecology, natural architecture, green events, permaculture training, green business development and land design.

Raymond Auerbach
Raymond has been farming organically in KwaZulu-Natal for 40 years and has had an active background in soils, trees, farmer training and agricultural research techniques.

Colleen Anderson
Secretariat
Colleen’s background within the NGO and academic sector has given her substantial experience with advocacy, project management, communications and fund raising.
We Are Guided By:
The Rights of Mother Earth
The right to life, respect, health free from contamination and genetic manipulation.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Section 24 of the Constitution
The Earth Charter