Our team

Cherry Irrigation has grown from three employees in 1987 to more than 70 permanent staff members today. We have skilled technicians that implement projects designed and managed by our team of mechanical, civil, agricultural, chemical and electrical engineers, which include several SABI-approved irrigation designers. Our specialists can provide a wide range of automation and electrical solutions in addition to irrigation infrastructure while our technical teams fulfil all installation and maintenance requirements, with the back-up from our stores and workshop.

Each member of our staff brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience that enable Cherry Irrigation to cover the full range of our clients’ agricultural irrigation requirements.

Our extensive experience covers:

Our support staff help ensure that our projects run smoothly, enabling us to maintain positive client relationships.

KEY STAFF MEMBERS

CHARLES CHERRY, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Fellow: SABI (Approved irrigation designer)

charles@cherryirrigation.com

Charles earned his diploma in civil engineering at the then Cape Town Technikon (now the Cape Peninsula University of Technology or CPUT) in 1994. At that point, he had already worked at Cherry Irrigation since 1992. Until 2007, when he took over the reigns as managing director, he had various focus areas in the business his father, Peter Cherry, founded in 1987. Known for his detailed technical knowledge of design, fertigation, automation and control systems obtained from a lifetime of working in irrigation, he has grown the company to employ a workforce of more than 70 people and extended its footprint to various countries in Africa, with an additional business unit in Namibia. Charles is actively involved in the irrigated agriculture community and served as president of SABI from 2014 to 2015.

HILGARD ROSSOUW, DIRECTOR (SOUTH AFRICA)
Member: SABI (Approved irrigation designer)

hilgard@cherryirrigation.com

Hilgard earned his diploma in mechanical engineering at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2006 and has worked in the irrigation industry since 2008. He is not only known for the technologically advanced head control and irrigation system designs he produces for high-value crops such as blueberries and cannabis but is also a highly effective problem-solver through his hands-on approach and extensive practical knowledge of different technologies. His people skills add value to our client relationships as well as the constructive way our designers and technical staff operate.

WILLEM MOSTERT, DIRECTOR (NAMIBIA)
Member: SABI

willem@cherryirrigation.com

As a born Namibian, Willem manages our business development, logistics and operations throughout Namibia. He holds both a higher certificate and a national diploma in agriculture from Grootfontein Agricultural College, as well as a BTech degree in agricultural management from the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein. Willem has worked in the irrigation industry since 2010. His core strengths are big picture thinking, strategic planning and building strong and lasting client relationships.

ISOBEL VAN DER STOEP, GENERAL MANAGER
Fellow: SABI (Approved irrigation designer)

isobel@cherryirrigation.com

Isobel holds both bachelor and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering from the University of Pretoria, and is registered as a professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa. She has worked in the irrigation industry for 25 years and has a great deal of technical, field, research, training and management experience. Isobel served as president of SABI from 2008 to 2009 and of the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) from 2013 to 2017.

ANDLE BOONZAAIER, IRRIGATION DESIGNER
Fellow: SABI (Approved irrigation designer)

andle@cherryirrigation.com

Andle began his career in irrigation in 1982 and has played a crucial role in the growth and success of Cherry Irrigation since it was established in 1987. He is meticulous in his work and has designed hundreds of hectares of drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation systems over the course of his career, becoming a mainstay of the company through his work in Grabouw and surrounding areas.

WERNER DE LEEUW DEN BOUTER, IRRIGATION DESIGNER
Fellow: SABI (Approved irrigation designer)

werner@cherryirrigation.com

Werner is a qualified mechanical engineer, with a diploma from the former Cape Technikon (now the Cape Peninsula University of Technology or CPUT). He is highly versed in irrigation design and has over 25 years’ professional industry experience, including a term as vice-president of SABI. His core strengths are adaptability, problem-solving and a focused and systematic approach to design. He particularly prides himself on delivering hydraulically correct designs. Werner values a solutions-driven mindset, punctuality and neatness, and believes in always providing a high level of customer service.

PETER CHERRY, IRRIGATION DESIGNER
Founder member and lifelong fellow: SABI (Approved irrigation designer)
Founder of Cherry Irrigation

peter@cherryirrigation.com

Having worked in the irrigation industry since the 1960s, Peter founded Cherry Irrigation in 1987. He has extensive knowledge of micro-sprinkler and drip irrigation design. His experience in overall farm layout, system planning and earth dam design is substantial. He plays an important role in guiding and developing the younger designers at Cherry Irrigation.

DANVER DAVIDS, IRRIGATION DESIGNER
Member: SABI

danver@cherryirrigation.com

Danver holds a national diploma in mechanical engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). He has a wide range of practical experience with different manufacturing processes, such as metal and HDPE welding, some of which he obtained as a naval technical officer. Since transitioning to the irrigation industry in 2017, he has become skilled in topographical surveying and irrigation design, as well as computer aided drafting. Projects completed to date mainly focused on high-value crops with drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation systems. He maintains good client relationships through his calm manner, neatness and results-oriented approach.

ETHAN GELAND, JUNIOR IRRIGATION DESIGNER

Member: SABI

ethan@cherryirrigation.com

Ethan is the youngest member of our design team and completed high school in Somerset West in 2012. Thereafter he obtained an advanced diploma and BTech degree in mechanical engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). This keen rugby player is developing his skills in topographical surveying and irrigation design, and plays a supporting role in the irrigation design office, where his computer drafting skills are put to good use while he is obtaining exposure to all aspects of the company activities as part of his development.

NICKIE THERON, SENIOR AUTOMATION TECHNICIAN
Member: SABI

nickie@cherryirrigation.com

Nickie leads our automation department, which caters for an increasing demand for state-of-the-art automation solutions. With his background in electrical engineering and industrial electronics, and more than 10 years’ experience, Nickie is highly proficient in the design and installation of automation systems for open-field and undercover irrigation, as well as climate control solutions. A team player and logical thinker, Nickie provides technical support to clients and drives the maintenance services offered.

GK KUFANDADA, ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

godknows@cherryirrigation.com

Electricity is an integral part of our head control systems, and Cherry Irrigation employs its own inhouse electrical engineer to ensure that we can supply customised solutions to suit our clients’ needs. GK holds an engineering degree in mechatronics and has more than 10 years’ experience with the design, installation, programming and maintenance of electrical equipment used in pump control, automation and fertigation systems.

SKAAP (STEFAN) DU RANDT, SENIOR TECHNICIAN (NAMIBIA)

skaap@cherryirrigation.com

Stefan has worked in the irrigation industry since 2013, shortly after matriculating in 2012. He started out as an apprentice and became a technician a year later, with responsibilities such as erecting pivots, installing other types of irrigation systems and doing electrical fault finding. He became part of Cherry Irrigation in 2019, when he was appointed as a technician, and in 2022 he joined the Namibian team. Stefan does his work thoroughly and with great zeal, and no task is ever too much or too big to take on. Stefan’s clients often also become his friends, and he loves spending time with all his friends. His hobbies are hunting and fishing.

COMPANY MEMBER

SOUTH AFRICA

Worcester Street, Grabouw,
Western Cape, 7160

+27 (0)21 859 4246
info@cherryirrigation.com

NAMIBIA

52 Industria Street, Lafrenz,
Windhoek, 9000

+264 (0)83 330 0440
infonam@cherryirrigation.com