Abstract
South Africa is one of the world’s leading producers of high quality sugar, producing approximately 2.5 million tonnes per annum. The South African sugar industry makes a significant contribution to the South African national economy, generating direct income of approximately 6 billion South African Rand (R) per year (US$700 million or €500 million) (SASA 2008). The industry employs approximately 85,000 people in cane production and processing, and also indirectly provides jobs in numerous support industries such as fertiliser, chemical, transport and food industries (SASA 2008).