As agricultural economist, Ferdi has more than 20 years of experience, specialising in the agricultural market and trade modelling and analyses, value chain analytics, strategic foresight and scenario planning. He was a founding member of BFAP in 2004 and as managing director, his passion lies in motivating people and growing institutions and businesses with strong national and international networks. Ferdi serves on various boards of firms, frequently appears as an invited speaker on national and international platforms and holds a position as Professor Extra-ordinary in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He was also one of the founding members of the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) in 2010.

Ferdi grew up on a crop and livestock farm in the North-West Province of South Africa and continues to manage the farming business's finances, investments, and marketing. He has a great passion for rural communities and is an active member of the community where he grew up, serving on the governing board of the school and participating in various fundraising activities.