Meet the Zylem Team
The passionate people behind South Africa’s leading biological soil conditioner company
Our People
Zylem’s strength lies in its team — a dedicated group of agronomists, scientists, and business professionals united by a passion for sustainable agriculture in Southern Africa.
Justin Platt
Founder & Managing Director
BSc in Plant Pathology and Botany from UKZN. In agricultural services since 1979 with a passion for sustainable agriculture. One of only a handful of Southern African-registered Brookside Laboratories consultants. Active in FERTASA and Potatoes South Africa.
Gill Platt
Finance & Operations Director
Administrative and Financial Manager since 2005. BA from UKZN (1980) with background in advertising, marketing and PR. Diploma in Business Management from Varsity College. Ensures Zylem’s operations run efficiently.
Estelle Schoeman
Logistics & Office Administration
With Zylem since 2014. Responsible for all office requirements and coordinating logistics. In charge of seed potato sales, working closely with growers and transporters to ensure seamless product delivery.
Nick Platt
Special Projects
BA LLB from UCT, Masters in Management from University of Edinburgh Business School. Joined Zylem in January 2021. Oversees inventory operations, compliance, and the regulation of new projects.
Alex Platt
Business Development
Marketing and business development experience from the tech industry. B-Comm Management Sciences (Stellenbosch), Marketing & Communications Diploma (Red & Yellow), Sales Management Certificate (UCT). Drives Zylem’s market growth.
Shannon Tarr
Supply Chain & Inventory Manager
Honours in Supply Chain Management. Oversees the entire product cycle — from raw material sourcing through manufacturing to finished product delivery — ensuring quality and efficiency at every step.
Ntokozo Mkhabela
Technical Manager
BSc in Agriculture Plant Science and Crop Science from UKZN. Leads product trials for regulatory purposes and develops new product blends. Drives Zylem’s progress in the small-holder farmer market.
Lerato Moeli
Junior Technical Manager
Bachelor’s in Agriculture & Crop Production. Joined Zylem in 2025. Conducts research trials on current products and new product formulations, contributing to Zylem’s biological innovation pipeline.