Melanie Winter

I began in coffee as a barista at my family roastery in Durban which has been going since 2009. I’ve competed in, judged at, taken many, many photos and organised multiple disciplines of the SCASA competitions.

My most recent endeavour was competing and placing on the podium in Cup Tasters 2025. I’ve worked closely with multiple SCASA BoDs as the Official Media Partner to the association. Between the years of 2012 - 2017 we (Coffee Magazine) were deeply involved in helping to organise and execute competitions and have remained closely supportive of the association throughout the years.

I’ve had the opportunity to attend multiple World Championships over the last 14 years and am excited to see SA progress on this stage. I am passionate about uplifting baristas, making competition accessible to more people and education across the board. My work at Coffee Magazine and through our events (Creative Coffee Week) has equipped me with the skills to lead and gather community together. It would be a privilege to represent SA in this way and if elected I’ll strive to serve the members and the broader coffee community as best I can.

Bernard Muneri

Bernard Muneri is a highly experienced coffee and hospitality professional with over 20 years of involvement in the specialty coffee industry. He combines extensive operational leadership experience with a deep passion for coffee education, competition, judging, and industry development.

Professionally, Bernard serves as an Operations Executive within one of South Africa’s fastest-growing QSR brands, bringing strong expertise in operations, training, customer experience, quality assurance, and business leadership.

Within the coffee community, Bernard has played an active role in developing coffee professionals and elevating industry standards across South Africa. He is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Specialty Coffee Association of Southern Africa (SCASA) and has contributed extensively as a competition judge, trainer, mentor, and educator.

His coffee achievements include:
• Former Chairman of the SCASA Board of Directors 2019 - 2022
• Regional Head Judge and Shadow Head Judge for SCASA Regional and National Championships 2015 - 2022
• Judges Training for all SA Regional Competitions 2016 - 2020
• Sensory Judge for the South African Coffee Championships.
• Accredited AST (Authorized SCA Trainer) 2019 - 2022
• WCEP Trained Professional 2019
• South African Barista Trainer, including involvement with the World Barista Championships in Bogotá, Colombia 2011.
• National Barista Championship Finalist 2008 - 2010
• Regional SCASA Champion for three consecutive years 2008-2010
• Former Regional Cup Tasters Champion and Top 3 National Finalist 2015
• Qualified in Basic Coffee Roasting and sensory evaluation 2019

Throughout his career, Bernard has remained committed to developing coffee excellence, mentoring emerging coffee professionals, advancing specialty coffee education, and supporting the growth of the coffee industry both regionally and nationally.

His unique combination of executive leadership, competition experience, judging expertise, and educational credentials has earned him recognition as a respected contributor to the South African and international specialty coffee community.

Matthew Carter

With over 14 years of professional experience in the coffee industry, stemming from a lifelong passion for coffee and its transformative power.  

I have successfully developed, planned, and managed various coffee development programs across Africa, and I possess expertise in judging and assisting with numerous coffee competitions throughout the region.  

My journey began with an exploration of sustainability across Africa in 2010 and 2011, which deepened my understanding of how high-value commodity trade can improve lives. This inspired my commitment to the coffee industry, where I strive to live an adventurous life while making a meaningful impact and leaving a lasting  legacy.

Since then, I have worked in and been involved across the value chain literally from seed to cup. 

I have done SCA courses, CQI courses and various other coffee related courses though my career. However, the times that I have learnt the most was drinking coffee with friends and discussing life, the universe and everything.

Chris Gaag

Chris Gaag is a respected leader and long-standing contributor to the South African specialty coffee industry.

Over the years, he has built extensive experience as a barista, coffee roaster, trainer, and business owner, helping shape the industry's growth and professionalism. As co-owner of Tribe Coffee in Cape Town, Chris played a key role in developing one of the country's most recognised specialty coffee brands.

Today, he heads up the OTT Group, where he continues to drive innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth across some of South Africa's leading coffee businesses.

Salman Khan

Tourism, Hospitality, Coffee and Barista Educator & Social Entrepreneur

Salman Ilyas Khan is a hospitality, tourism, and coffee professional with more than 35 years of international leadership experience spanning hospitality operations, tourism development, barista education, entrepreneurship, and community development.

His career includes senior roles with leading global hospitality brands and institutions, including Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton, Grosvenor House London, Le Gavroche (London), and the Saudi Royal Palace. He currently serves as Director of Studies for Blended Learning Programmes at HTA School of Culinary Art, overseeing Hilton online education programmes across Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean Islands.

Professional & Academic Expertise

Salman brings a rare blend of industry excellence, academic depth, leadership experience, and strategic vision. His qualifications and professional experience include:

• Postgraduate Degree in Business Administration – Heriot-Watt University

• Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science and International Relations – University of Johannesburg

• Qualifications in Tourism and Hospitality – City & Guilds of London

• BTech (HCIMA) in Hospitality Management – South Warwickshire College, affiliated with Warwick
University

• Diploma in Hospitality Management – Pennsylvania, USA

• Certification in Molecular Gastronomy – Harvard University

• Experienced National Barista and Coffee Judge – Specialty Coffee Association of  Southern Africa (SCASA), since 2017

• Certificate in Startup Entrepreneurship – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA

• Board Member – South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA), 2000–2012

• Former Board Member – Route 24 Magaliesberg Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO)

• Current Board Member – MORAME (West Rand, Merafong, Cradle of Humankind and Mogale City Regional
Tourism Organisation)

• Diploma in Import and Export Management – Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), 1994

• Member – Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), since 1994

A SCASA National Coffee Judge since 2017, Salman is the Founder of the Barista Academy of Southern Africa and has dedicated himself to advancing coffee education, professional standards, and skills development within the South African coffee industry. He is a published author, public speaker, hospitality consultant, and visiting lecturer.

Beyond the industry, Salman is a committed social entrepreneur and community leader. Through various development initiatives, he has trained and mentored young people from disadvantaged communities, using coffee and hospitality as pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and social upliftment.

Salman believes that the barista profession should be recognised as a respected artisan career, similar to chefs and bakers, and is passionate about strengthening industry standards, expanding training opportunities, and building stronger partnerships between SCASA, government, education providers, and the private sector.

Salman has recently entered into a partnership with CPA, a well-known production company, to develop and produce a barista-focused reality television programme titled "The Grind." Inspired by the success of culinary competitions such as MasterChef, the programme aims to showcase coffee excellence, barista talent, and innovation within the specialty coffee industry. The project is currently in its early development stages, with plans to launch nationally and expand internationally by the end of 2026.

If elected to the SCASA Board, he will work to promote professional development, industry growth, youth empowerment, and the continued
elevation of South Africa's specialty coffee sector.

Lawrence Mokaeane

Lawrence Mokaeane is the Business Development Manager at African School of Coffee, combining a strong background in engineering and project management with a deep passion for the coffee industry. With over seven years of experience spanning roles as a barista, café owner, and business development professional, he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and industry insight.

Alongside an 18-year career in property development and project management, Lawrence has played a pivotal role in strengthening the coffee ecosystem by building strategic partnerships, fostering meaningful collaborations, and formalizing industry relationships that create value for all stakeholders. His ability to connect people, opportunities, and ideas has made him a respected contributor to the growth and sustainability of the coffee sector.

Nicole Siegenthaler

After years of drinking specialty coffee, in 2022 Nicole Siegenthaler followed her passion and curiosity and temporarily relocated to Jakarta to explore the cafes, roasteries and slow bars of SouthEast Asia. That same year she first became involved in SCA competition as a member of Indonesian Barista Champ Muhammad Aga's coaching team. Following two 3rd place finishes in Indonesian Nationals (2022: Barista, 2023: Coffee Good Spirits) in 2025 Aga and the team won Indonesia Barista Nationals and went on to place 9th at the World Barista Championships in Milan and win the 2025 World Espresso Championship.

She has been a sensory judge in both South Africa and Indonesia's Barista Championships and since 2025 has served as head judge for South Africa's Barista Championships.

Always curious to learn more about competition, in 2023 she volunteered on stage at World of Coffee Asia in Taipei where she kept time for the World Coffee Good Spirits finalists. She has been a regular contributor to The Coffee Magazine since 2022.

Neelo Moremi

Hey coffee lovers. I'm Neelo head barista at FOMO COFFEE WORX in Pretoria. Its my 3rd year in the industry.

I've been a SCASA member for 2 years. I've been a volunteer for 2 years for both regionals and nationals. Currently I'm working towards obtaining my SCA qualifications and further my knowledge and skills in this profession.

Henning Lubbe

Henning Lubbe is a hospitality and education professional with over 20 years of industry experience and 16 years dedicated to hospitality education. He holds a Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management (IHS) and a Diploma in Hospitality Management (AHLEI), and is a registered Assessor and Moderator with both FoodBev SETA and CATHSSETA for multiple Qualifications and Skills Programmes.

Currently serving as Operations and Development Manager at Kushinda Academy, Henning oversees accredited qualifications, learnership programmes, and skills development initiatives within the culinary, hospitality and Food & Beverage Manufacturing sectors.

His involvement in the coffee community spans over a decade, having served as a SCASA judge since 2016. During his current Board tenure, he has worked towards the development and registration of a roasting qualification through FoodBev SETA, and remains passionate about bridging the gap between formalised SETA structures, employers, and the coffee industry. He believes strongly in the power of structured skills development and is committed to raising awareness and understanding of formal education pathways among coffee professionals, Baristas, and industry employers alike.

Through active engagement with government stakeholders, Henning continues to champion the recognition and professionalisation of coffee as a formal discipline within South Africa's skills development landscape in it’s various sectors.

Henning respectfully asks for your support in re-electing him to the SCASA Board, where he remains dedicated to connecting industry, education, and opportunity for the growth of specialty coffee in South Africa.

Chris Rootman

My coffee journey began in the early 1990s while studying Journalism in Pretoria, when I worked part-time as a barista. What started as a student job quickly developed into a lifelong passion and career that has now spanned more than three decades within South Africa's coffee industry.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of experiencing coffee from many different perspectives – as a barista, trainer, competitor, judge, organiser, business leader, and industry volunteer. Today, I serve as Sales Lead at TriBeCa Coffee, working closely with coffee professionals, hospitality businesses, and industry stakeholders across the country.

My involvement with SCASA has been equally diverse. I first entered the South African Coffee Championships as a competitor before becoming a volunteer, organiser, and eventually a member of the Board of Directors. Since 2010, I have been actively involved in helping deliver and develop our national coffee championships, and I have served two terms on the SCASA Board, including one term as Chairman.

During the current board term, we have worked to broaden the role of SCASA beyond competitions alone. While our championships remain an important platform for excellence and international representation, we have laid the foundations for a more engaged association that can better serve the industry through education, professional development, networking, and stronger representation of our members.

I am standing for re-election because I believe the work of building a stronger, more connected, and more representative association is only beginning. The foundations have been laid, and I would welcome the opportunity to continue contributing to this next phase of growth. In particular, I would like to help develop and mentor the next generation of competition organisers and volunteers, ensuring that the knowledge and experience gained over many years can be passed on to those who will shape the future of our industry.

South African specialty coffee has grown tremendously over the past three decades, and I remain passionate about helping SCASA play a meaningful role in supporting that growth for the benefit of all our members.