Agri June/July 2018

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Vol 48 | No 2 JUNIE/JUNE | JULIE/JULY 2018

SA Landbou:

Vars, uitdagend, ánders Land audits: What have we learned? Agri SA revitalises its focus on agricultural water Vóór die koeël deur die kerk is

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A product of

Land audits: What have we learned?

25 4488 AgriSA revitalises its focus on agricultural water

Boere raak grootskaals by plaaswerkerbemagtiging betrokke

Uitspan op die Hollandse werf

6| Agri SA sê 10| What’s news? 12| SA Landbou: Vars, uitdagend, ánders 16| Jongboer uit die wynbedryf wen toekenning in die Wes-Kaap 32| Die Nasionale Minimumloonwet: Wat nou? 34| Irrigation and water usage: Updating the stats 36| Meer as net tee 40| A few ways not to have the worst labour relations in the world 42| Definitive optimism and economic progress 48| Agri BEE guidelines will harm agriculture 51| The Japanese example 55| Mens se beste vriend is boer se grootste vyand 57| Vóór die koeël deur die kerk is 68| In die voorste gestoeltes 70| Etimologie: Skuiwergat 75| Ry saam op die Shiraz-sneltrein 82| Die luide stilswye 3


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S YEAR ST AINAB

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Redakteursbrief Editorial Leana Bezuidenhout

Die slimmes sê graag dat verandering die enigste konstante ding in die lewe is. Tog lyk dit asof die deursnee-mens aanmekaar gesit is om vas te skop teen verandering. Ek ook – ek vind die gemaksone snoesig en veilig. Ek is daai tipe wat eerder my geld onder my matras sal wegsteek as om te belê. Die tipe wat elke keer by ‘n restaurant presies dieselfde bestel, want dit is veilig. Die tipe wat bekommerd was toe hierdie tydskrif deel van ons span geword het. Ons klomp hier in die veilige hoek bewonder die ander. Die vindingrykes, die valskermspringers, die waaghalsige beleggers, die geleentheidgrypers. Die risikonemers. Want miskien is ons weerstand teen verandering toe te skryf aan die risiko wat ons glo daaraan verbonde is. Vrees vir die onbekende is geneig om jou so magteloos te laat voel dat jy jou muur-van-weerstand ten alle koste beskerm. Maar resistance at all cost is the most senseless act there is, sê die Switserse skrywer Friedrich Dürrenmatt. Dit is dalk nodig om te kyk na die ongelooflike resultate wat verandering oor die jare al gebring het. Ek praat van eenvoudige, alledaagse dinge soos tegnologie. In 1977 het Ken Olsen, stigter van Digital Equipment Corporation, gesê dat daar geen rede is waarom enigiemand ‘n rekenaar in sy huis sal wil hê nie. Wel, Ken, ek is jammer om die nuus met jou te deel… Het tegnologie en die digitale wêreld werklik net chaos gebring? Of het dit in ‘n veel groter mate ons almal se lewens vergemaklik? Ek sien ook nie dat enige boer voortstoei met sy skaar en ploeg nie, eerder trekkers wat so te sê hulleself bestuur. Ouer mense wat deel is van sosiale media om kontak te behou met geliefdes. Inkopies wat oor die internet gedoen word sonder die ongerief om jou huis te verlaat. Uiteindelik omhels ons almal verandering – ‘n paar van ons is dalk net die agterosse. Want uiteindelik is verandering (en vernuwing) altyd nodig. Ook daarom het Agri vandag ‘n nuwe baadjie aan. Hierdie tydskrif verteenwoordig die moderne landbouer – boere wat nuut dink oor die industrie. Dit is hiérdie boere wat met hul positiewe denke positiewe verandering meebring en ons het julle insette in hierdie tydskrif nodig. Gesels met ons. As ek dan nou so aanhou om die kenners aan te haal, is geen lys seker volledig sonder Albert Einstein nie: “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

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Omri sê

Agri (under which Die Boer/The Farmer is incorporated) is distributed five times a year to Agri SA members and subscribers. Editorial committee Dan Kriek, Omri van Zyl, Christo van der Rheede, Annelize Crosby, Leana Bezuidenhout, Derick van der Walt, Kobus Visser, Jahni de Villiers, Pietman Roos, Yolisa Mfaise, Hamlet Hlomendlini, Dr Requier Wait, Martina Benadé, Jolanda Andrag, Janse Rabie & Melissa Tighy Executive editor Leana Bezuidenhout (072 601 9420) editor@agrithefarmer.co.za Advertising sales sales1@agrithefarmer.co.za sales2@agrithefarmer.co.za Office administrator and subscribers Thea Liebenberg Contributors Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, Cassie du Plessis, Dr Gerhard Backeberg and Frikkie Kraamwinkel Contact us Agri, Private Bag X180, Centurion, 0046 Block A, Inkwazi Building, Embankment Road, Zwartkop, Extension 7 Tel: (012) 643 3400 Fax: (012) 663 3178 Email: editor@agrithefarmer.co.za Reproduction and printing Business Print Centre: (012) 843 7600 Agri SA accepts no responsibility for claims made in advertisements or for opinions and recommendations expressed by individuals or any other body or organisation in articles published in Agri. Copyright is reserved and the content may only be reproduced with the consent of the Director: Corporate Services. If you wish to subscribe to Agri contact Thea Liebenberg Tel: (012) 643 3400 Fax: (012) 663 3178 | www.agrisa.co.za Articles in Agri are also available in an alternative language on request. Circulation

Cover photo Agri has a new image, representing today’s modern farmer.

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Maak plek vir die jongmense Omri van Zyl Die volhoubaarheid van enige bedryf hang uiteindelik af van hoeveel nuwe mense dit betree. Net so vir landbou en die groter waardeketting. Jongboere, maar ook jong agronome en jong landbou-ekonome, is nodig om landbou dinamies te hou. Daar word gereeld gekla oor die sogenaamde “millennials” met hul vreemde giere wat vasgenael sit voor slimfone en sosiale media. Hulle wil dit mos maklik hê omdat die bloedjies opgepiep is. Die werklikheid is egter dat landbou moet besef dat jongmense en studente wat nou lewensbesluite maak, ‘n harde analise toepas van waar in die wêreld hulle die beste lewe kan lei. Jongmense het dit wel makliker en het met baie meer luukshede grootgeword as vorige generasies, maar hulle moet ook uitdagings, soos baie duurder reële huisvesting en ‘n meer mededingende arbeidsmark, hanteer. Werkgewers binne landbou sal baat deur mooi te dink en te gesels met kandidate om hul behoeftes te verstaan. Vergoeding strek ver verby die maandelikse rand-en-sente. Uit ervaring het ek ook geleer dat jongmense mekaar verstaan en dat ‘n poel van jong talent homself mettertyd laat groei. Dit gaan moeilik wees vir ‘n 60-jarige senior bestuurder om die werklikhede van ‘n 25-jarige te verstaan, so die onderneming van skoonmaker tot junior bestuur moet as ‘n geheel vernuwe om die jong talent ook te kan lok. Die goue-seun-troonopvolger sal twee keer dink om by ‘n werkplek aan te sluit as al die mense met wie hy sy werk deel binne vyf jaar gaan aftree.


Dan says The Nampo Harvest Day a symbol of food security and transformation Dan Kriek Visiting the annual Nampo Harvest Day is a personal highlight on the agricultural calendar. I am always uncertain about what to expect from the discussions at Nampo, knowing that policy challenges to the agricultural sector is at the top of farmers’ minds. The current political discourse creates high levels of uncertainty, but also helps to focus the mind. This is all the more reason why Nampo is a beacon of light in a sea of uncertainty. The true nature of a rapidly transforming sector is evident in the people who visit the four-day event. Farmers of all creeds and colour make the effort to come from far and wide to seek advice on new products, mechanisation and the latest technology to aid increased efficiency in production. The enormity of investments already made and still needed in the agricultural sector is on display for all to see, and it is truly massive. It illustrates the need for an enabling policy environment. Populist rhetoric cannot hold its own against a wave of progressive modernisation. Nampo is a social dialogue event of note. The real challenges experienced by the agricultural sector are discussed at length. The Nation in Conversation initiative sets the tone for progressive dialogue and finding of sustainable solutions. Public figures who visit are amazed at the level of progressive thought and practical solutions crafted by organised agriculture. Land reform and transformation, women and youth in agriculture, technological advances and economic realities are discussed with frank openness. A “we can solve this” attitude permeates the minds and hearts of everyone participating in the sector. The agricultural sector will not only survive the current discourse, it will thrive. The Nampo Harvest Day is a welcome reminder of inclusivity and a shared vision in a new modern era for agriculture.

Agri (waarby ingelyf Die Boer/The Farmer), word vyf keer per jaar versprei aan lede van Agri SA en ander intekenare. Redaksionele komitee Dan Kriek, Omri van Zyl, Christo van der Rheede, Annelize Crosby, Leana Bezuidenhout, Derick van der Walt, Kobus Visser, Jahni de Villiers, Pietman Roos, Yolisa Mfaise, Hamlet Hlomendlini, Dr Requier Wait, Martina Benadé, Jolanda Andrag, Janse Rabie & Melissa Tighy Uitvoerende redakteur Leana Bezuidenhout (072 601 9420) editor@agrithefarmer.co.za Advertensieverkope sales1@agrithefarmer.co.za sales2@agrithefarmer.co.za Kantooradministrateur en intekenare Thea Liebenberg Medewerkers Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, Cassie du Plessis, Dr Gerhard Backeberg en Frikkie Kraamwinkel Kontak ons Agri, Privaatsak X180, Centurion, 0046 Blok A, Inkwazi Gebou, Embankmentweg, Zwartkop, Uitbreiding 7 Tel: (012) 643 3400 Faks: (012) 663 3178 E-pos: editor@agrithefarmer.co.za Reproduksie en drukwerk Business Print Centre: (012) 843 7600 Agri SA aanvaar geen verantwoordelikheid vir aansprake wat in advertensies gemaak word nie en die menings en aanbevelings van individue of enige ander liggaam of organisasie wat in artikels in Agri verskyn nie. Kopiereg word voorbehou en inhoud mag slegs met die toestemming van die direkteur: Korporatiewe Skakeling gereproduseer word. Indien jy op Agri wil inteken, skakel Thea Liebenberg Tel: (012) 643 3400 Faks: (012) 663 3178 | www.agrisa.co.za Artikels in Agri is ook op aanvraag in ‘n alternatiewe taal beskikbaar. Sirkulasie

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BOEKRESENSIES Book Reviews ‘n Boek verniet!

Agri gee ‘n eksemplaar weg van elk van die boeke wat op hierdie bladsy bespreek word. Stuur ‘n e-pos met jou naam, posadres en telefoonnommer na agricompetitions@ gmail.com. Sê ook watter boek jy wil hê. Slegs een boek per e-pos, asseblief.

Cut flowers of the world Johannes Maree, Ben-Erik van Wyk (Briza Publications) This guide describes and illustrates more than 330 different species of flowers, foliages and potted flowers. The emphasis is on flowers that are commonly used in the cut flower industry and the book provides useful hints about the selection and handling of these flowers. The book includes: • Detailed descriptions of more than 330 plant species and their close relatives. For each flower the following information is provided: description of the plant; geographical origin; historical overview; cultivation; cultivars; properties such as colours, scent and vase life; how to select for quality; and the proper care and handling of the flowers. • More than 700 full-colour photographs, showing the beauty, colour variation and diversity of the flowers. Important foliage plants and potted flowers are also included, making this a useful reference guide for florists, retailers and wholesalers. • Introductory chapters on basic aspects such as cultivation methods, harvesting and shipping techniques, cultivar development, modern trends in marketing (including the role of colour in customer preferences) and the basic principles of

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the selection, handling and use of flowers and foliage. Enquiries: Tel no (012) 329 3896, e-mail: books@briza.co.za, website: www.briza.co.za Coalition country Leon Schreiber (Tafelberg) The ANC has governed South Africa for more than two decades but its iron grip is slipping. For the first time since 1994 there is no guarantee that it will retain power. If ANC support drops below 50% in the 2019 elections, the political landscape will be transformed dramatically. South Africa will be governed by a coalition, and the consequences will be felt by everyone. Political analyst, Leon Schreiber, explores the myriad possibilities – and effects – of coalition country. Will Mmusi Maimane and Julius Malema be in charge? Or will the ANC and the EFF join forces? Enquiries: nb@nb.co.za Shisanyama: Braai recipes from South Africa Jan Braai (Human & Rousseau) Jan Braai asked South Africans in 2017 for their favourite braai recipes, and the response from the South African public was overwhelming. From the hundreds of

entries received, Jan Braai has curated, tested and included over 80 favourites. Each entry tells the story of how the recipe came about, why it is special, and how it celebrates the diversity of shisanyama available in South Africa. Shisanyama literally means “to burn meat” in Zulu, and refers to the act of coming together to cook meat on an open fire. Discover Mzansi favourites such as bacon bombs, baby back ribs, breakfast pizza, chakalaka, brandy & Coke short rib, red curried black mussels, corn bread, mustard icecream with T-bone steak, Thokoza Park chuck, watermelon salad and lamb jaffles, with loads of other treasured recipes. Enquiries: nb@nb.co.za #PresiesAnders 2: Cupcakes en kupido’s Cecilia Steyn (Human & Rousseau) Zoya presteer nie op skool soos haar identiese tweelingsussie Zoe nie. Maar wie gee tog om oor wiskunde en rekeningkunde? Dis veel beter om seker te maak sy lyk altyd fantasties op ’n selfie. Dis tog hoe sy Erwee du Rand se oog kan vang. Of is dit? Wanneer Zoya gekies word as die hoof van die balkomitee, is sy in die wolke oor die kans om tyd saam met Erwee te spandeer. Buitendien, hoe moeilik kan dit nou wees om met ’n


Boekwenners, vorige uitgawe: Poisonous Plants of South Africa, Monica Lotter, Heibron; Catching the Thunder, Pieter Steyn, Weltevreden Park; Droomkrans se engelman, Rista Nieuwoudt, Kakamas; Ek & Jy-verhoudings wat werk, Deidere Payne, Wellington, Ys, Lou de Jager, Philipstown

begroting te werk? Daar is wel ’n paar probleme: die jaloerse Beula, ’n geheimsinnige “matchmaker” en die feit dat haar pa skielik tienersleng praat en leer “skateboard” ry... Navrae: nb@nb.co.za Grilgrypers 1: Die vloek van Vreesbaai De Wet Hugo, Shân Fischer (Human & Rousseau) Nie lank nadat die dertienjarige Miek saam met sy ouers in Vreesbaai kom woon nie, begin vreemde dinge gebeur. Nie net is hierdie kusdorpie permanent toe onder digte mis nie, maar Miek word skielik gedurig gekonfronteer met sy grootste vrees: ‘n monsteragtige, woedende hond. Gou lyk dit ook asof sy nuwe vriende by die skool elkeen ‘n geheim met hulle saamdra. Kan dit wees dat al die kinders op Vreesbaai deur iets afgrysliks geterroriseer word? Die eerste titel in ‘n heerlike nuwe reeks grilstories vir jong lesers. nb@nb.co.za Die ou vrou en die priester en ander verhale Cecile Cilliers (Human & Rousseau) Van 1981 tot 2014 skryf Cecile Cilliers rubrieke vir Beeld, De Kat en Sarie. Deur die jare het sy etlike bydraes vir verskillende bundels gemaak, maar Die ou vrou en die priester is haar eerste eie kortverhaalbundel. Verskeie klassieke temas word onder die loep geneem: dit wat in ‘n huwelik ongesê bly tussen man en vrou, die verwikkelde band tussen ma en dogter, die oorweldigende blindheid van ‘n eerste liefde, en bowenal die uitdagings van oud word. nb@nb.co.za

Kos vir die siel Geloof as filter voor ons sintuie Die Sondag toe ek nie eens na die dominee probeer luister het nie, ontdek ek hoe geloof werk. My ma moes koor sing en ek beland langs ‘n vriend wat sy lekkers in deurskynende papier met my deel. Hou jy die gekleurde papiertjies voor jou oë, verander als. Die dominee in sy swart en wit klere word pers of geel of watter kleur jy hom wil hê! Geloof werk soos hierdie gekleurde filters. Selfs die gewone dinge kry ‘n nuwe kleur. Die beste is dat jy nie net voor jou oë ‘n geloofsfilter kan opsit nie, maar voor al jou sintuie. Dit is ‘n ou waarheid dat jou lewe net so goed is as wat jou perspektief daarop is. Jou soort persoonlikheid, opvoeding en omstandighede bepaal hoe die lewe vir jou lyk en daarom vir jou is. Sommige sien die glas halfvol, die ander halfleeg. Geloof werk egter soos ‘n sonbril vir die mens wat van nature positief kan kyk, maar ook vir die persoon wat geneig is om die swaar kant eerste te sien. Soos ‘n sonbril die skerp strale van die son uithaal, maak die bril van geloof ook. Uit Hebreërs 11 kan ‘n mens aflei dat sommige van ons geloofsvoorouers dinge gesien het wat ander nie kon sien nie (bv. Noag) en dat ander weer dít waarteen ander bly vaskyk het, nie kon sien nie (bv. Abraham). Wat is die filter van geloof ? Die misterieuse teenwoordigheid en liefde van God. Kyk ek deur hierdie besef van God se teenwoordigheid lyk alles anders. Ekself is anders en ook my werkers en kollegas. Ek trek hierdie filter ook oor my grootste sintuig, my vel. Ek raak op ‘n nuwe manier aan hulle waaraan ek so gewoond geraak het – aan my kinders en eggenoot. Ek vat nie dan meer met verveling aan hulle nie, maar met verwondering. Dit is hulle wat ek van God gekry het. Oefen dit self. Dit werk regtig.

- Ds. André van Niekerk (NG Kerk Waterkloof, Pretoria)

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WAT’S NUUS? What’s news? Seunshelde kry erkenning

Bon Courage bult spiere by Muskadel-toekennings

Evert du Preez en Mokoni Chaka het tydens Nasie In Gesprek ‘n sertifikaat van Agri SA ontvang vir hul heldhaftige optrede op 4 Januarie 2018 tydens die treinongeluk naby die Genevestasie tussen Hennenman en Kroonstad waar hulle vasgekeerde slagoffers uit die treinwrak help bevry het. Agri SA het met dié toekenning erkenning aan Evert en Mokoni gegee vir die positiewe impak wat hulle op hierdie besonderse dag op slagoffers van die treinongeluk se lewens gemaak het.

Vanjaar se Muskadel-wenners is voor van links: Henri Swiegers (voorsitter van Muskadel SA), Stian Victor (Badsberg) en Philip Viljoen (Bon Courage). Agter is van links: CP Conradie (Conradie Penhill Wines), Jaco Cockrell (Enartis SA se verkoopsbestuurder), Shaun Thomson (Du Toitskloof), Daniël Nel (Boplaas), Chris de Villiers (Montagu Wines), Lida Malandra (Enartis SA se algemene bestuurder) en Dawie Kriel (Montagu W&S)

Regs: Dan Kriek (President van Agri SA) oorhandig die sertifikate aan Evert (links) en Mokoni (regs)

Kynoch Kunsmis vier 100 jaar in Suid-Afrika Kynoch Kunsmis het vroeër vanjaar sy 100 ste bestaansjaar in Suid-Afrika gevier. Gaste het groot makietie gehou. Van hulle is van links (agter) Chris Burbidge, Cassie Dorfling, Albert van Zyl, Jannie van Aswegen en Deon Scheepers. Voor van links: Bertus Blignaut en Sheila Dry.

Huge potential for wine tourism Wine tourists in the Western Cape are increasingly opting for guided tours with a growing preference for tailor-made itineraries to suit their specific interests, says Margi Biggs, convenor of the annual Business of Wine and Food Tourism Conference, which will take place on 17 October at Spier in Stellenbosch.

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Sourcing her information from Wesgro’s recent Wine & Food Tourism Study, she believes that greater insights into travellers’ needs will unlock still further growth in this fast-expanding sector of South Africa’s travel industry. “Wesgro research shows a year-onyear growth in wine tourism of 16% in 2017, thanks to the rising reputation of the Western Cape’s wines, the region’s increasingly innovative offerings, as well as its varied and exciting customised cellar door experiences. “But as an industry, we’ve only tapped the surface. There is still so much more potential to be unleashed, particularly now that we have access to good data. Visit http://wineandfood.co.za/ programme-2018/ to view the programme conference.

Die 16de Muskadel SA-toekennings, geborg deur Enartis SA, is tydens ‘n funksie in Mei in die Paarl toegeken. Vanuit vanjaar se 31 inskrywings (sewe meer as in 2017) het Bon Courage Wynlandgoed uit Robertson spiere gebult met twee platinum-toekennings. Die landgoed se Bon Courage Red Muscadel 2017 en Bon Courage White Muscadel 2017 is beide vereer met die hoogste lof by die funksie. Vir Du Toitskloof Wynkelder in die Breederiviervallei, ‘n volgehoue presteerder oor die afgelope drie jaar se kompetisie, was vanjaar geen uitsondering nie en het hul ‘n soveelste platinum-toekenning opgeraap met hul Du Toitskloof Red Muscadel 2015. Uit die Nuyvallei naby Worcester het Conradie Family Vineyards Muskadel Limited Release 2009 ook met ‘n platinumtoekenning weggestap. Daar was twee goue-wenners vanuit Montagu. Montagu Wyne het goud verdien vir hulle Montagu Red Muscadel 2017 en Montagu W & S. Badsberg Wynkelder naby Rawsonville in die Breederiviervallei het goud vir hul Badsberg Perlé Moscato 2018 ontvang. Boplaas van Calitzdorp in die Klein Karoo het vir die vierde agtereenvolgende jaar goud gewen, dié jaar vir hulle Boplaas Heritage Collection Terroir Selection Muscadel 2013.


Ndzondelelo Dlulane, CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), and Soraya Benchikh, CEO of British American Tobacco South Africa (Batsa) shake hands following the signing of the MoU to reinvigorate tobacco farming in the Eastern Cape.

Eastern Cape Development Corporation signs MoU with Batsa Tobacco farming is back on track in the Eastern Cape with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support emerging farmers. The MoU was signed between British American Tobacco South Africa (Batsa) and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Batsa will fund training and skills development in tobacco production and will also buy and process the tobacco produced by the farmers. The ECDC will help to identify emerging farmers for inclusion in the programme, facilitate co-funding of co-operatives and programmes, and will help to manage and monitor the implementation of the programme. “This public-private partnership is aligned with our provincial development plan to revitalise the rural economy. We want to position the province as a food growing area and we want to develop agro processing in the province,” said ECDC CEO, Ndzondelelo Dlulane. The development body will also assess the impact of the project on emerging farmers and local communities. “As the farmers will realise income from tobacco farming, the programme will also address the issue of food security and poverty alleviation in the province,” Dlulane said. “We are committed to transformation and this has resulted in the expansion of our programme from 33 tobacco growers in 2016 to 155 tobacco growers in 2018. We are excited to bring the benefits of this programme to the Eastern Cape, and to create jobs and opportunities for the people of the province,” said Batsa CEO Soraya Benchikh.

Tebogo Modise

Chris Krone

New transformation manager for NWK

Suid-Afrikaner verkies tot IPA-president

NWK has appointed Tebogo Benedict Modise as director of transformation. Modise has more than twenty years’ management experience in various industries. He joined NWK in 2009 as an agriculturist and was appointed manager of developing agriculture in 2012.

Baie geluk aan Chris Krone wat onlangs in Frankryk tot die president van die International Prune Association (IPA) verkies is. Hy is deel van Agri SA se bedryfskamer en verteenwoordiger van die Inmaak Produsentevereniging. Die IPA beoog om hul 2019 Pruimedante-kongres in Suid-Afrika aan te bied en volgens Krone sal dit waardevolle netwerk- en sakegeleenthede en groei vir die droëvrugtebedryf inhou.

Phenias Gumede

Sacau meets in Zimbabwe Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions’ (Sacau) hosted its annual conference and AGM at the Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 14 to 15 May 2018. The theme was “Trade as a Driver for Agricultural Transformation in Southern Africa.” At the annual general meeting, Agri SA’s vice president, Phenias Gumede, was elected as a board member of Sacau. Congratulations Phenias! The full board elected are Dr Sinare Y Sinare from the Agricultural Council of Tanzania (chairman), Doreen Hlatshwayo from the Swaziland National Agricultural Union was elected vice president, Alfred Banda of Farmers Union of Malawi was retained as an ordinary director, while Phenias Gumede of Agri SA in South Africa joined the Board as an ordinary director.

Veediewe verander streke gereeld Willie Clark, voorsitter van die Nasionale Veediefstal-voorkomingsforum sê veediewe verander hulle modus operandi gereeld en daarom bly dit ‘n uitdaging om hulle vas te trek. “Ons vind dat vee-eienaars meer waaksaam is en hulle diere meer gereeld tel. Hulle haas hulle ook na veilings en abattoirs wanneer hul vee gesteel word. Dit bemoeilik sake vir veediewe, maar die gevolg is dat al hoe meer brutale slagtings van diere plaasvind. Sulke slagtings kom veral in die oostelike en suidelike gedeeltes van Gauteng in gebiede soos Bronkhorstspruit, Welbekend, Akasia en Temba voor. In die Vrystaat is Heilbron, Deneysville, Zamdela, Parys en Vredefort probleemareas,” sê Clark.

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SA LANDBOU:

Vars, uitdagend, ánders Leana Bezuidenhout Die wêreld om ons het in die afgelope 20 jaar dramatiese veranderinge gesien gebeur, veral in terme van die vooruitgang en innovering van tegnologie. Alle groot wêreldskuiwe- en veranderinge het ‘n rimpel-effek wat verreikend is en invloede uitoefen nog lank ná die verandering plaasgevind het. Landbou, waarna ons graag verwys as die ruggraat van die wêreld se ekonomie, staan nie in isolasie nie en daarom is dit onvermydelik dat die industrie deur hierdie veranderinge geraak gaan word, en self ook ‘n klompie veranderinge gaan ondervind. Wêreldwye verandering Kyk ons na die groter wêreldprentjie, is daar ‘n paar noemenswaardige veranderinge wat stil-stil onder ons neuse gebeur het. Vooruitgang en innovering is aan die orde van die dag en die afgelope 20 jaar word gekenmerk deur veranderde tegnologie, politiek en globale demografie. ‘n Voorbeeld van ‘n bevolkingskuif wat waargeneem kon word, is verstedeliking wat steeds plaasvind, met ‘n geskatte 55% van die wêreldbevolking wat nou in stedelike areas bly, terwyl daar 20 jaar terug heelwat minder as die helfte van die bevolking in stede gebly het. Nog ‘n verandering is die wêreldbevolking wat ontplof het. In 1998 het die bevolking op die 5,9 miljard-merk gestaan en met groot afwagting op 1999 gewag waar ons die 6 miljard-mylpaal sou haal. Vandag staan ons op ‘n geskatte 7,6 miljard mense wêreldwyd. Meer

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mense beteken meer monde om te voed, en dit bring ons na die evolusie van landbou. Die evolusie van landbou Landbou was nog altyd ‘n omgewing waarin evolusionêre verandering plaasgevind het, sedert die begin van sy bestaan ‘n klompie duisend jaar gelede. Dié veranderinge het gelei tot landbou-projekte op alle biologiese vlakke van ons bestaan – van die individuele gene tot gemeenskappe. Landbou-ekosisteme bied daarom een van die mees oortuigende voorbeelde van situasies waar menslike invloede grootliks die interaksies bepaal onder en tussen spesies en gemeenskappe, ‘n situasie waarin evolusionêre beginsels ‘n sentrale rol sal speel. Dit is veral die geval as ons in die wêreldwye bekommernis oor voedselsekerheid en -produksie in ag neem, en selfs meer so omdat daar die verwagting bestaan dat landbou-produktiwiteit moet verbeter terwyl die impak op die omgewing en natuur verminder moet word. Oor die laaste paar duisend jaar het hibriede en seleksie, bewustelik sowel as onbewustelik, gelei tot beduidende veranderinge in die voorkoms van plante en diere en hul voedingswaarde. Landbou op grootskaal het soortgelyke groot veranderinge ervaar, wat tot noemenswaardige verhoging in opbrengs en produktiwiteit gelei het. Een van die grootste veranderinge wat waarskynlik in plantspesies voorgekom het, is die voorkoms van moderne, hoë-opbrengs


2014

Maize

2015

Final crop 2014 tons

Area planted 2014 ha

Latest 2015 forecast tons

Area planted 2015 ha

% Change tons

14 250 000

2 688 200

9 838 500

2 652 850

-31,0

Sunflower seed

832 000

598 950

656 800

576 000

-21,1

Soybeans

948 000

502 900

1 041 600

687 300

9,9 -23,9

Groundnuts

74 500

52 125

56 675

58 000

Sorghum

265 000

78 850

114 700

70 500

-56,7

Dry beans

82 130

55 820

73 390

64 000

-10,6

hibriede-mutasies. In die gehalte van vleis- en veselproduksie is dieselfde groot veranderinge waargeneem, onder meer in geselekteerde beesvleis en skaapvleis. In die kern hiervan is dit dus opmerklik dat, deur die landbou-geskiedenis, veranderinge in agronomiese en lewendehawepraktyke ‘n nimmereindigende proses is wat lank gelede begin het en in die toekoms sal voortduur. Dit is duidelik dat ontwikkelinge in ons begrip van evolusie en genetika onbewustelik ‘n groot invloed gehad het op plant- en dierverbetering. In die afgelope paar dekades het tegnologiese vooruitgang, veral molekulêre biologie, die proses verder versnel. Landbou is dus die bron van uiteenlopende, selektiewe kragte, en moderne landbou en sy praktyke die gevolg van ‘n deurlopende veranderingsproses wat fisiek en geneties aan die grootste deel van agro-ekosisteme verander het. Landbou het verander en gevorder in só ‘n mate dat dit effektief die kerndoel daarvan, voedselverskaffing, ondersteun en groei. Veranderinge bring egter uitdagings van sy eie, veral in Suid-Afrika se unieke omgewing waar ons met ‘n veranderlike politieke en ekonomiese omgewing sit, maar ook met van die wêreld se mees vindingryke boere. Vandag in Suid-Afrika Volgens Janse Rabie (Hoof: Natuurlike Hulpbronne Sentrum van Uitnemendheid, Agri SA) word ander veranderinge ook ervaar, soos ‘n skerp fokus daarop om meer omsigtig met natuurlike hulpbronne soos grond, water, energie en biodiversiteit om te gaan. “Daar is ‘n deeglike bewustheid van veranderende klimaatstoestande en die noodsaaklikheid vir landbou om daarby

Sector

Cost per job created (2014) (Capital: Labour)

Agriculture

378 756

Mining

1 231 428

Manufacturing

591 205

Utilities

10 877 603

Construction

100 590

Trade

155 663

Transport

2 217 615

Finance

1 209 535

Community and social services

613 509

5 Most important import products 2014/15 Product

R millon

5 Most important export products 2014/15 Product

R million

Meat and edible offal, poultry

4 306,4

Citrus

12 462,0

Wheat and meslin

6 157,4

Grapes

6 598,0

Rice

5 125,8

Apples, pears, quinces

6 255,1

Palm oil

3 632,1

Maize

3 465,6

Undenatured ethyl alcohol

3 667,2

Wine

8 028,1

Important agricultural trading partners Imports

R million

Exports

R million

Argentina

4 535,8

Netherlands

8 607,7

United Kingdom

4 118,1

United Kingdom

7 717,0

Indonesia

3 750,6

Mozambique

5 989,3

Georgia

3 477,6

Zimbabwe

5 123,3

Thailand

3 370,7

China

3 943,1

Number of faming units Year

Number

Year

Number

1918

76 149

1963

101 387

1928

93 972

1978

71 621

1938

105 700

1988

62 428

1948

115 723

1996

60 938

1952

119 556

2007

39 982

13


aan te pas,” sê Rabie. “Ons kan ook ‘n geleidelike bewuswording waarneem van die noodsaaklikheid om met die regering hande te vat om ons natuurlike hulpbronne beter te bestuur.” Rabie sê verder dat dié Agri SA-sentrum baie nou betrokke is by onderskeie regeringsdepartemente en ander instellings in die ontwikkeling en verbetering van omgewingswetgewing en -beleid. “Deur ons affiliale verkry ons deurlopend inligting van wat dwarsoor Suid-Afrika met ons boere en ons natuurlike hulpbronne gebeur en ons kan tydig reageer op die behoeftes van ons lede, of op moontlike bedreigings – of geleenthede – waar dit gaan oor sake wat verband hou hiermee,” sê hy. Die sentrum is egter wel bekommerd oor die kapasiteit en vermoë van ons land se Departement van Water en Sanitasie om die beskikbaarheid en gehalte van ons waterbronne te bestuur en beskerm. Nog ‘n bekommernis is oor die wedywering tussen landbou, munisipaliteite en ander industrieë (veral mynbou) vir natuurlike hulpbronne. ‘n Ander verandering in die landbou-omgewing wat Kobus Visser, Agri SA se Direkteur: Landelike Veiligheid en Provinsiale Sake, kwel, is plaasveiligheid. “Dit is hoekom Agri SA en sy provinsiale organisasies so ‘n hoë prioriteit plaas op die veiligheid van die landbougemeenskap,” sê Visser. “Dit bly daarom die Agri Securitas Trustfonds se strewe om boerderygemeenskappe in die stryd teen plaasgeweld finansieel by te staan om ‘n veiliger omgewing te help vestig.” Volgens Visser staan Agri SA baie tyd af aan beleidsontwikkeling, in samewerking met die betrokke regeringsdepartemente, om ‘n veiliger landbou-omgewing te bevorder en sodoende voedselsekerheid te ondersteun – voedselsekerheid is waarskynlik die grootste motivering agter Agri SA se projekte. “Ons het ‘n wonderlike struktuur met mense landswyd wat wyd belese is en op hoogte bly van verwikkelinge in die arbeidsomgewing,” sê Jahni de Villiers (Hoof: Arbeid en Ontwikkeling, Agri SA). “Dit veroorsaak dat ons ‘n baie goed gevestigde intelligensie-struktuur het, en tydig kan reageer op probleme, soos ons

14

lede dit onder ons aandag bring. Dis beslis nie perfek nie, maar ons werk hard daaraan.” Ook by hierdie artikel ingesluit is waardevolle landbou-inligting, saamgestel deur Martina Benade (Agri SA-ekonoom). Dié tabelle toon onder meer vergelykings in die Suid-Afrikaanse landbou-industrie hoe die omgewing verander. Nie alle veranderinge is positief nie,

maar alle veranderinge skep geleenthede vir positiewe optrede en nuwe rigtings. In Agri SA werk ‘n span spesialiste om die Suid-Afrikaanse landskap van landbou te stuur in ‘n rigting wat in die belang van sy lede, en die hele landbou-gemeenskap, is. Die organisasie staan vir gesonde landboupraktyke en ondersteun die veranderinge wat nodig is om dit te laat gebeur.

Key labour indicators (Quarter 2, 2015) Population (15-64 yrs)

35 955

Labour force

20 887

Employed

15 657 Formal

10 835

Informal

2 661

Agriculture

869

Private housholds

1 292

Unemployed

5 230

Rates %

Unemployment rate

25,0%

Youth unemployment rate (estimate)

36,1%

Farming units registered for VAT in 2007 (according to SARS) Active farming units

39 966

Owned by individuals

33 249

Companies

2 167

Close corporations

2 259

Family-owned

874

Bevolking 2014

54.96 miljoen % van totaal

Swart

44.2 miljoen

80,4

Bruin

4.8 miljoen

8,8

Wit

4.5 miljoen

8,3

Indiër

1.3 miljoen

2,5

Gross value added by kind of economic activity R million 2013

2014

% of total value added to the economy

Primary sector

358 260

371 268

10,9%

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

73 458

84 662

2,5%

Mining and Quarrying

284 802

286 606

8,4%

Secondary sector

663 833

716 620

21,0%

Tertiary sector

2 150 869

2 316 605

68,0%

Gross value added at basic prices

3 172 962

3 404 493

At current prices


Item Gross farm income (R million) - Field crops (R million)

2016

2017

% Change

256 277

274 948

7,3

58 414

61 897

6,0

- Horticultural products (R million)

78 391

75 162

-4,1

- Animal products (R million)

119 472

137 889

15,4

Expenditure on intermediate goods and services (Rmillion)

133 244

141 959

6,5

- Fuel (R million)

11 844

12 463

5,2

- Seed and plants (R million)

8 589

9 448

10,0

- Farm feeds (R million)

38 663

41 756

8,0

- Maintenance and repairs (R million)

18 340

19 238

4,9

- Labour remuneration (R million)

17 335

18 248

5,3

- Interest paid (R million)

8 390

9 265

10,4 12,3

Important cost items (R million)

Net farm income (Rmillion)

89 938

101 015

Cash flow of farmers (Rmillion)

95 563

103 639

8,5

Producer price index (2010 = 100)

180,4

175,2

-2,9 -30,2

- Field crops

244,5

170,6

- Horticultural products

173,3

163,7

-5,5

- Animal products

155,1

183,3

18,2 4,3

All farming requisites index (2010 = 100)

156,2

163,0

- Machinery and Implements

162,6

168,8

3,8

- Materials for fixed improvements

149,1

155,6

4,4

- Intermediate goods

155,7

162,6

4,4

-

Feeds

163,6

168,6

3,1

-

Fuel

142,9

146,7

2,7

-

Seeds

174,9

184,2

5,3

-

Packaging material

159,1

171,4

7,8

-

Fertilisers

131,4

136,7

4,0

-

Maintenance & repairs

151,6

158,5

4,6

Terms of trade (2010 = 1,00)

1,16

1,08

-6,9

- Field crops

1,57

1,05

-33,1

- Horticultural products

1,11

1,00

-9,5 13,3

- Animal products

0,99

1,12

144 981

158 343

9,2

Debt ratio (Liabilities: Assets) %

33,6%

33,7%

Weakend

Value of farm assets (R million)

430 853

470 113

9,1

- Land and fixed improvements (R million)

231 305

252 519

9,2

- Implements, motor vehicles and tractors (R million)

65 088

69 156

6,2

- Livestock (R million)

134 460

148 438

10,4

SA Exports (agricultural products only) (R million)

97 901

103 396

5,6

SA Imports (agricultural products only) (R million)

82 362

76 596

-7,0

Farming debt (R million)

Consumer price index (2010 = 100) - All items

138,3

145,6

5,3

- All item (excluding food)

133,9

140,5

4,9

- Food

152,8

163,4

6,9

Gross investment - Fixed improvements (R million)

5 472

5 593

2,2

- Transport vehicles (R million)

1 537

1 544

0,4

- Tractors, machinery & other (R million)

8 542

9 033

5,7

Multiplier effect of Agriculture While primary agriculture only accounts for 2.7% (2.5% in 2014) of the South African GDP it has upstream or backward linkages on the supply side and downstream or forward linkages on the manufacturing side that accounts for another 9% contribution to GDP, bringing the contribution of the South African agricultural economy to GDP to around 12%. (Policy Brief, University of Pretoria, Prof André Louw)

15


Jongboer

uit die wynbedryf wen toekenning in die Wes-Kaap

‘n Wynboer van Robertson is Woensdagaand 23 Mei aangewys as vanjaar se Agri Wes-Kaap Santam Landbou Jongboer van die Jaar vir 2018. Johann de Wet (35), uitvoerende hoof van die Dewetshof Landgoed, dring nou deur na die nasionale ronde wat later vanjaar plaasvind. De Wet, ook die voorsitter van die Chardonnay Vereniging Suid-Afrika, was in die buiteland toe die aankondiging plaasvind en het tydens die glansgeleentheid via ‘n Skype-oproep gehoor dat hy dié gesogte toekenning ingepalm het. Sy vrou, Gera, het die toekenning namens hom ontvang. “Die kompetisie beteken so baie vir ons jongboere en die prys doen baie vir die wynindustrie. Dankie vir die groot eer,” het hy via Skype gesê. De Wet het gesê hy wil graag die ander deelnemers ontmoet om by hulle te leer oor hoe húlle boerdery benader en hulle plase bestuur. “Dit was almal sulke sterk kandidate gewees en ‘n mens kan so baie by mekaar leer,” het hy gesê. Die ander deelnemers was Juanita Bellingan van Beaufort-Wes, en MG Lotter en Hennie le Roux van Caledon. Carl Opperman, uitvoerende hoof van Agri Wes-Kaap, sê omdat deelnemers volgens streng kriteria beoordeel word – soos rekordhouding en finansiële kontrole, produksiebestuur, hulpbronbewaringspraktyke, bemarkingsbeleid, risikobestuur, onderhoud van implemente en toerusting, arbeidsbeleid en -praktyke en hul betrokkenheid by georganiseerde landbou – is die kompetisie ‘n goeie maatstaf vir deelnemers om hul eie mededingendheid en volhoubaarheid teen ander produsente te meet. “Dit is vir Agri Wes-Kaap ‘n aanwins om sulke kaliber jongboere as deel van ons struktuur te hê. Die Wes-Kaap se landboutoekoms is in goeie hande. Ons wens vir Johann baie geluk en alle sterkte toe met die nasionale kompetisie,” sê Opperman.

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Dié besluit maak beleggingsin Beleggingsbesluite is die afgelope jare aansienlik bemoeilik deur onsekere ekonomiese en politieke faktore. Beleggings in aandele – wat op lang termyn die beste presteerder is – word deur groot beursskommelinge gekenmerk en rentekoerse op die geldmark is oor die algemeen maar skraal. Dit beteken dat opbrengste op beleggings gereeld in die rooi is of, as beleggers nie risiko’s wil loop nie, beskeie opbrengste hul voorland is. Boonop is daar baie kansvatters wat beleggings lok deur bogemiddelde opbrengste te beloof (en glad nie so goed presteer nie) of ná ’n jaar of twee as onwettige, goed verbloemde piramideskemas ontbloot word. Daarom is een van die eerste dinge waarna voornemende beleggers behoort te kyk die tydperk wat die betrokke sakeonderneming bestaan en sy prestasiegeskiedenis, wat standvastige prestasie insluit. Onthou die goue beleggingsreël: As dinge te goed lyk om waar te wees, is dit gewoonlik die geval. Boere en ander beleggers wat wonder waar hulle van hul swaar verdiende geld moet belê of ’n konstante inkomstestroom verlang wanneer hulle dalk hul plaas verkoop het en ander planne moet maak, kan gerus kyk na die deurlopende goeie vertoning van die Britse groep One Touch Property, wat oor ’n tydperk van meer as agt jaar stewige beleggingsinkomste – saam met gemoedsrus – aan sy vele beleggers in Brittanje en ook ander lande verseker het. Oor dié tydperk het One Touch Property verskeie kere toekennings vir sy goed presterende en tog veilige beleggingsopsies ontvang, wat nie onoortuigend hoë opbrengste belowe nie maar deur ’n goeie sakeplan en bestuursgehalte ’n goeie netto beleggingsopbrengs van 10% per jaar moontlik maak. Om beleggers nóg meer gemoedsrus te gee, is dié onderneming by die Britse ombudsman vir eiendom geregistreer. Wat One Touch Property doen One Touch Property is ’n goed gevestigde

Londen-gebaseerde eiendomsbelegger met sy fokus op goed presterende woonplekontwikkelings, studente-akkommodasie, kommersiële eiendom en ook ander versigtig uitgesoekte eiendom. Een van die beleggingsgeleenthede wat hy vroeër raakgesien, nagevors en met sukses betree het, is om in luukse behuising vir die groeiende getal oudwordendes te belê. Dié versorgingseiendom word deeglik uitgesoek op grond van die betrokke operateurs se bestuursvernuf en -prestasie en die voorste opbrengsgebiede. Ter agtergrond: Soos in die Westerse wêreld die geval is, verouder Brittanje se bevolking dekade ná dekade teen ’n bogemiddeld hoë tempo. Dit plaas groot druk op geskikte behuising vir ouer mense. Die volgende statistieke beklemtoon die beleggingswaarde wat betrokkenheid in veral versorgingseiendom vir vermoënde ouer mense in Brittanje het: Die getal mense ouer as 65 jaar was in 2016 reeds 11,6 miljoen en die verwagting is dat dit tot 12,9 miljoen in 2021 gaan aangroei. In die twee dekades van 2012 tot 2032 gaan die getal oueres wat geskikte aftredebehuising verlang met 60% styg. Van staatskant af kan Brittanje nie dié ontploffende vraag hanteer nie. Berekeninge van Knight Frank dui op ’n verbandvrye behuisingswelvaart van £1 200 miljard by die bo-60’s in Brittanje. Baie van dié groep wil afskaal maar die behuisings-opsies is nog nie naastenby voldoende nie. Dit skep uitstekende geleenthede vir eiendomsontwikkelaars wat in dié soort eiendom spesialiseer en uiteraard vir beleggings in aftredeeiendom.

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Die groep het ’n puik webwerf (www.onetouchinvestment.co.uk) en ’n gids om die beleggingsmoontlikhede en -risiko’s presies te verstaan, kan van die web afgelaai word. Verskeie gevallestudies kan ook gevolg word vir bykomstige gemoedsrus.

19


Annelize Crosby Agri SA

What have we learned? In November 2017, Agri SA made public a land audit that was done by Agri Development Solutions, in co-operation with Landbouweekblad and Agri SA. This audit was transactions based and used Deeds Office data, in conjunction with data from the Surveyor-General’s Office, agricultural censuses, Stats SA, Geo Terra Image and the Development Bank of South Africa. In March 2018, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform finally released their land audit – or at least an unofficial report was leaked – and in April 2018 AfriForum published its own land audit. After having only the 2014 state land audit available for many years, all of the sudden there are three audits available. But therein lies a problem – as the audits seem to come to different conclusions. The ADS/Agri SA/Landbouweekblad used the data of 23 years of land ownership patterns to compile a report of changing ownership patterns in agricultural land over time. This was a very comprehensive audit, the methodology of which was subjected to external auditing. The audit did not only consider hectarage, but also land value and land potential. Some of the conclusions following from the ADS/Agri SA/

20

Landbouweekblad land audit include that it is evident that: Persons of colour bought twice as much land as the government; The land was acquired at market-

related prices. In other words, buyers of colour and government did not pay a premium. Critics pointed out that the audit lumped together government land and land

Hectares Government for agriculture Government for non-agric use Total

Average price Total (R/hectare)

Paid to commercial farmers (R/hectare)

2 208 031

6 297

6 324

641 267

10 217

6 898

2 849 298

Private: • Self financed

4 222 472

• Private non-agric use • Government support

1 908 981

Total

6 131 453

8 881

8 408

18 152

14 542


Government programmes for the purchasing of agricultural land yielded 2.2 million hectares, where private purchases by PDIs amounted to 4.3 million hectares. When considering ownership share by PDIs and government, in terms of the land’s value and the land’s potential, the ownership share increases significantly. In terms of 2016 Rand value, the share is 29.1% and in terms of land potential, the share is 46.5%. The audit shows that 12.1 million hectares (12 141 780 hectares) have been redistributed to black people. This does not include land in the former homelands or land transferred to trusts that used to form part of the old homelands. This is made up as follows:

acquired by previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs) and that it did not distinguish between land bought outright by PDIs and land bought with government assistance. That was subsequently done. Table 1 gives information on land bought by the state and by private buyers and the price per hectare that was paid, and breaks it down by government assisted and self-financed. Some of the findings from the ADS/ Agri SA/Landbouweekblad audit are: The total area of agricultural land, according to the 1993 census, was 97 036 986 hectares, of which commercial farmers owned 82 557 220 hectares and previously disadvantaged persons 14.5 million hectares, or 14.9%. Since 1994 more than 3.6 million hectares (4%) of agricultural land have been lost to other uses such as mining, residential and industrial development. The total area of land used for agriculture in 2016 was 93 453 558 hectares. 73.3% of this land is in the hands of white commercial farmers and 26.7% in the hands of previously disadvantaged persons (PDIs) (including land held by government on behalf of black beneficiaries). Land transferred in 1994, which

included the former homelands, self-governing territories and trust areas, amounted to 18 036 773 hectares, of which approximately 14.5 million hectares was agricultural land. Agricultural land in South Africa today represents approximately 76% of the total land surface of around 122.5 million hectares. Based on the transactional data for the period 1994 to 2016, a total of 8.9 million hectares was bought by PDIs and Government at a total value of R90.3 billion. The 8.9 million hectares equates to 12.9% of the total hectares that were traded. The R90.3 billion equates to 22.5% of the total value of land traded over the 1994 to 2016 period. From this, the Government purchased a total of 2.8 million hectares at R20.5 billion. The 2.8 million hectares represent 31.9% and the R20.5 billion represent 22.7% of the land bought by PDIs and government. This include agricultural land, as well as land bought for urban development; Government land and the former TBVC, self-governing states and trust land represent 31.85 million hectares and 25% of the land surface in South Africa.

2.8 million hectares purchased by the government; 3.2 million hectares bought in the restitution programme; 4.2 million hectares bought by black people without any government assistance; 1.9 million hectares bought with government assistance of some kind. During the period between 1994 and 2016 a total of 59.3 million hectares of agricultural land was traded. That represents 63.4% of all agricultural land. The state land audits The state land audit report does not deal specifically with agricultural land, but rather focuses on the analysis of the country’s total land surface. The report states that 114 223 276 ha or 93% of 121 924 881 ha land in the country is registered in the Deeds Office. The outstanding 7 701 605 ha or 7% is unregistered trust state land in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. In other words, the ownership of 7% of the surface area, most of which is probably agricultural land, is unaccounted for and is not reflected in the report. The report then claims that individuals own 37 800 986

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ha or 39% of this total land. According to the report 37 031 283 ha of this 37 800 986 ha is farms and agricultural holdings owned by individual white landowners. Now we know that the total area of land used for agriculture in 2016 was 93 453 558 hectares. This means that, according to the state land audit, only about 39% of agricultural land or 21.7% of the total land surface is owned by white landowners. Seeing that only the race of individuals can be determined, and that trusts and companies have no race and the shareholding of companies has not been factored in, the focus of this report was really only on this 39% of individual ownership. Keep in mind, this includes all type of land ownership, urban as well as rural and all types of land use, not just agricultural. The conclusions drawn are then only based on 39% of the total surface area of the country. The report claims that: “The same individuals own most of these companies, trusts and CBOs”, but there is no proof of this. No source is quoted for this far-reaching statement. The audit clearly assumed that all owners of land through trusts and companies are white. This cannot be correct. The 2017 state land audit needs to be read together with the 2014 state land audit that focused only on state land. There seems to be some discrepancies between the two state land audits. The 2014 audit of state land put the total amount of land in the country at 121 973 200 hectares. It put state owned land at 17 061 882 hectares of which the former Bantustans took up 16 035 593 hectares. That left 1 026 289 hectares of state land, which includes national parks, defense force land, forestry land and land belonging to Correctional Services. According to the audit private owned land amounts to 96 550 791 hectares or 79% of the surface area of the country. Some 8 360 527 hectares of land were unaccounted for. This represents 7% of the surface area of South Africa. The audit did not consider the more than 1.7 million hectares of SA Development Trust Land that was transferred to government prior to 1994 as well as state land of more than 13 million ha.

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In the State of the Nation address of 2017 it was stated that the DRDLR acquired 4 850 100 hectares through the land redistribution programme during the period 1994 to 2017. Minister Nkwinti, the then minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, stated in August 2017 that the DRDLR had acquired 2 033 199 hectares for restitution, 1 979 966 hectares through the Pro-Active Land Acquisition programme (PLAS), 1 160 065 hectares through the redistribution programme and 689 226 hectares for agricultural development. In September 2016 the chief land claims commissioner said that: “The settlements have resulted in the award of 3.32 million hectares (of which 1.9 million hectares have been transformed to beneficiaries)”. None of these figures were included or reflected in the state’s audits. According to the 2017 state audit, the surveyed land in South Africa amounts to 114 223 276 hectares - 93% of the total surface area of South Africa. If the unsurveyed land in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo is added up (7 701 606 hectares (7%) in the Eastern Cape and 5 545 156 hectares or (4,5%) in Limpopo), this comes to 127 470 051 hectares or 124.5% of the actual surface area of 122.5 million hectares. The AfriForum audit The AfriForum audit was compiled by Burgert Geldenhuys from MapAble (Pty) Ltd. The report states that the focus is primarily on agricultural land. They found, among other things, that there is 22 584 670 hectares of land that fall within protected areas – national parks and nature reserves. The report makes a couple of valid points regarding the extent of cultivated land, the grazing capacity of land, settlement patterns and population shifts. The report does not seem to contain any qualitative data – it is based on geographical data only. It also appears as if some of the data from different sources may overlap as the data is not from the same year. However, there is a lot of very useful information contained in the AfriForum/

MapAble report. Conclusions It is clear that doing a proper land audit is a very difficult exercise. This is because of the various sources of information that is held by various government institutions, as well as the fact that the data often contains errors and the fact that land is not only held by individuals, but by various legal entities. Even when land is held by an individual, it is extremely difficult to determine the race of the individual. It is possible to do so with in-depth studies of transactions, but there will always be a small margin of error. Even so, a picture is beginning to emerge, namely that many transactions are taking place outside of government programmes and that a simple approach based on hectarage alone is not a realistic approach. Land ownership cannot be considered in isolation, land use is also a critical factor to be considered. And the actual use of the land is not always what it has been zoned for by government. A situation where parties just criticise one another’s audits is not helpful – we urgently need to get to a situation where we try to reconcile all the information that we have to date and emerge with a clearer picture. Statistics on landownership should not be misrepresented or used for political gain. It is difficult to make sense of these statistics and the public is easily misled. This is not in the best interest of the country. What is needed is an objective look at the work that has already been done by experts that understand the complexity of this task and an attempt to come to a consensus view on how to take this important project forward in the interest of our nation.


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Gregory Smith Agri SA

revitalises its focus on agricultural water Water scarcity, water pollution, drought, poor water governance, poor water infrastructure and an ever-changing policy environment are but a few of the realities farmers are facing. The importance of water for the agricultural sector cannot be overstated. It is the most important component in the farming process growing our crops and subsequently feeding livestock, farmers and our nation. With water playing such a central role in the agricultural process and due to several external pressures on this resource, Agri SA launched a dedicated Water Desk to sharpen Agri SA’s focus on agriculture water related matters and to service our members. The Desk will serve under the Natural Resources Centre of Excellence and will be led by Janse Rabie, an environmental lawyer and Head of Agri SA’s Natural Resources Centre of Excellence and Gregory Smith, a water scientist. The goal of the Desk is ensuring an enabling environment for farmers by looking after the integrity of water resources in terms of quality, equitable access, social and environmental sustainability. The Water Desk will focus on the following key issues:

Policy and legislative development: Policy is an important tool shaping the way we manage our water resources. Agri SA is actively involved in the following: The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, The National Water Resource Strategy, independent economic regulator, centralised catchment management agency, The Water and Sanitation Act, verification and validation, transfer of water use entitlements, water metering, water quality, and raw water pricing. Collaboration: Water as a resource is shared among domestic, agriculture, mining and industry users and its availability in both quantity and quality varies throughout the country. Due to this fact Agri SA serves on several forums where challenges, research and development in the sector are collectively discussed and managed. The key stakeholders Agri SA are involved with include:

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The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS): As the custodian of South Africa’s water resources the Department is the ultimate authority within the water sector. A close relationship with the Department is vital to ensure members are well informed on issues of national importance. South African Association for Water User Associations (Saafwua): Saafwua is a national body representing 93 Water User Association and Irrigation Boards. These Local Water Management Institutions play an important role in supplying water directly to farmers. Water Research Commission (WRC): The WRC is the hub for water knowledge in the country. The organisation provides strategic leadership for research prioritisation and knowledge transfer. South African National Council on Irrigation and Drainage (Sancid): Sancid serves as the South African National Committee of the International Council for Irrigation and Drainage and actively contributes to the stimulation and promotion of research and the development of technology in the fields of irrigation,

drainage and flood control in South Africa. Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN): The SWPN is a forum where public/private and civil society sectors work together to solve issues within the water sector. Agri SA serves in the Agricultural Supply Chain Water working group focusing on: Unlocking funding and improve equity in water access for irrigation schemes Water use efficiency in irrigation Communication: Communication takes place to-and-from members and stakeholders. The Desk communicates all noteworthy information to all affected members. This includes relevant news, advice, policy and legislative developments, calls for research, etc. The Desk also receives requests directly from members and assists where possible. As part of this revitalised approach Agri SA hosted a half-day workshop with water experts to evaluate and sharpen the organisation’s focus. Those in attendance included externally: Prof Mike Muller (Adjunct Professor University of Witwatersrand), Dr Gerhard Backeberg

(Executive Manager: Water Utilisation in Agriculture, WRC), Felix Reinders (Institute for Agricultural Engineering, ARC), Helgard Müller (Consultant.), Nic Knoetze (CEO, SAAFWUA) as well as internally: Willem Symington (Deputy Chairman: Agri SA Natural Resources Committee), Johannes Möller (Former President, Agri SA), Joubert Hofmeyr (Agri NC), Christo van der Rheede (Deputy CEO, Agri SA), Greg Smith (Agri SA, Natural Resources), Janse Rabie (Head of Natural Resources: Agri SA), Cornie Swart (Agri SA). Topics discussed include effective and sustainable water use, water pollution, infrastructure decline, water metering and institutional reform, to name a few. The workshop provided valuable insight and contributions feeding the Desk’s ongoing activities. Dealing with water issues requires the commitment of all role players in the water sector. A water secure country can only be created through collaboration and accountability among all users. Through the Water Desk Agri SA will strive to serve its members, empowering them through knowledge transfer and representation throughout the water value chain.

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Promosie | Promotion

Shell reaffirms its commitment to the agri sector Farmers and the farming industry are important factors in the revitalisation of the South African economy.

An integral part of South Africa’s economy, the agricultural sector is one which Shell sees as a fundamental part of its future plans, enabling farmers to support themselves, their communities, and the nation as a whole. Speaking at Shell House at Nampo 2018, Anton Niemann, General Manager Lubricants Sales at Shell Downstream South Africa, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the farming community, re-establishing the fact that the sector is in fact the lifeblood of the South African economy. “The farming community not only adds sustenance to our economy but our lives as well, and it is therefore important for Shell as we have done for the past 113 years in South Africa, to ensure that the farmers are supported as best we can, offering them the optimal products for them to be as productive as possible,” he comments. “The success of the sector has an immense spill-over effect to the rest of the country, and it’s important to recognise the important work our farmers do.” A firm believer in that a transformed farming sector is a key element in the revitalisation of the South African economy,

Niemann expands his thinking by discussing the revitalisation of rural towns and communities, explaining how with the increase in farming activities and demand, these regions will be enriched and begin to thrive. He continues by discussing Shell’s longstanding presence exceeding a century in South Africa, and the company’s close relationship with the agricultural industry and Nampo in particular since the shows inception. As the leading global brand in the diesel engine space, Shell has been recognised as the Global Leader in Lubricants for the 11th consecutive year, in addition to the prestigious recognition by John Deere as its global supplier of the year. Niemann expounds on the fact that although all lubricant manufacturers claims to have the most superior product, he admits that although each may have their relevance in the market, he believes that the winning recipe to success lies in the sales person one places in front of the client. “My belief is that commercial success begins with a relationship built on trust,” he explains. “A relationship based on trust extends further with the customer trusting

the product and offering, the staff and the brand. Moreover, we instil these skills and mind-set to our distributors as well, ensuring that they grow their markets while further emphasising the ethos that Shell customers receive the best product from the best team.” Shell’s Rimula range of products for the agriculture sector are designed to grow profitability in the sector, and as the demand for food increases, it will become exceedingly crucial for farmers to save time whilst reducing the total cost of ownership. By working together, Shell is able to supply smarter lubrication solutions through its technical department via various service offerings, including a technical helpdesk, Lube Match, LubeExpert, lubrication surveys, etc, delivered through highly trained Shell technical staff consisting of office-based technical helpdesks and field-based lubrication engineers. All of this Shell make available to their customers to ensure that the business of the farmer continues to flourish for decades to come. The Shell technical helpdesk can be reached on: +27(0)11 996 7444 or shelltechnical-za@shell.com.

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PIO-ASA-01

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Promosie | Promotion

Sclerotinia op sojabone Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is ‘n swamsiekte waarvan boere in die hoëveld eers in die vroeë sewentigerjare bewus geword het, veral op sonneblom. Tans het die swam feitlik deur die hele RSA versprei en rig dit aansienlike skade aan op veral sojabone, sonneblom, droëbone en verskeie groentegewasse. Die infeksie kan so hoog wees dat vragte by die silo’s afgekeur word as gevolg van die sklerotiums (vrugliggame) van die swam in die saad. Die swam self Die swam Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is in staat om ‘n verskeidenheid breëblaargewasse aan te val. Volgens Dr A J L Phillips, Plantpatologie, Rietondale Navorsingstasie, word soveel as 361 breëblaarspesies aangeval en nuwe gasheerplante word nog steeds bygevoeg, ‘n Opname deur mnr Albert Myburgh (OTK) in die hoëveld, het getoon dat die meeste breëblaaronkruide op die hoëveld ook besmet word deur die swam. Foto 1 toon duidelik dat kankerroos. oliebome, knapsekêrel, kakiebos, kosmos en misbredies vrugliggame bevat van die swam. Hierdie onkruide in mielies en ander gewasse kan die wisselbousisteem erg in die wiele ry en daarom sal die onkruide bestry moet word in die ander gewasse, om te verhoed dat die swam oorgedra word na die sojabone. Die sklerotiums wat deur die swam gevorm word, is vrugliggame wat baie bestand is teen ongunstige omgewingstoestande. Beide dr Phillips en dr Bill Underwood meld dat sekere grondswamme van die sklerotiums in die grond vernietig kan word, maar dat die sklerotiums tussen 7 en 10 jaar in die grond kan oorleef. Dr Underwood rapporteer dat indien sklerotiums in die nabyheid van wortels van sonneblomplante voorkom, vorm dit myceliumdrade wat die wortels binnedring en afsterwing van die plant veroorsaak. ‘n Deursnit deur so ‘n plant toon tipiese sklerotiums binne in die stam. Volgens dr Underwood val Sclerotinia nie die wortels van sojabone aan nie. Sklerotiums wat vlak in die grond voorkom, sal onder koel, vogtige toestande Foto3: Sklerotiums op die stam

ontkiem om oorsprong te gee aan apotekiums (klein paddastoele, ±1 cm hoog), wat op hulle beurt miljoene spore vrystel (Foto 4). Tot 20 apotekiums kan uit een so ‘n sklerotium ontwikkel. So ‘n apotekium kan tot 10 dae lank leef terwyl die askospore tot 20 dae kan oorleef voordat dit in gunstige omstandighede kan ontkiem, aldus dr Holtzhausen. Askospore kan tot vir 0,5 km ver deur lugstrome versprei word. Apotek-

iums word gewoonlik gedurende die laat somer gevorm. Die spore word deur die wind versprei, beland op die blomdele van die sojaboonplant, waar dit die plant penetreer. Die stadium van besmetting is slegs moontlik wanneer die blomme besig is om af te sterf, aldus dr Underwood. Al die sklerotiums ontkiem nie elke seisoen nie. Dié wat dieper as 50 mm onder die grond lê, ontkiem nie, of hulle apotekiums mag dalk nie bokant die

Foto 1: Onkruide met sklerotiums in die stamme (A J Myburgh)

Foto 2: Sclerotinia in ‘n sojaboonland

Foto 4: Die apotekiums

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Promosie (vervolg) grondoppervlakte uitkom nie en laat dus nie spore vry nie. Baie sklerotiums ontkiem eers nadat hulle ná ‘n aantal jare deur die ploeg weer na die oppervlakte gebring word. Dr Holtzhausen het ook bewys dat 75% van alle sklerotiums wat 300 mm diep ondergronds was, ná drie jaar nog kan ontkiem. Uit die voorafgaande is dit duidelik dat Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ‘n gedugte swamsiekte is waarmee deeglik rekening gehou moet word. Die tyd van besmetting kan slegs plaasvind wanneer die klimaatstoestande gunstig is en die sojabone op die regte groeistadium is. Om die swam uit te roei is onmoontlik en volgens die kenners sal produsente alle maatreëls moet toepas om die swam in bedwang te hou. Beheermaatreëls Die wye reeks van gasheerplante van Sclerotinia sclerotiorum bemoeilik die doeltreffende en praktiese beheer van hierdie siekte. Al die kenners is dit eens dat die volgende beheermetodes die skadelike gevolge van die siekte kan verminder: Gebruik slegs gesonde, gesertifiseerde saad wat sklerotiums vry is. Maak seker dat die beheer van breëblaaronkruide baie doeltreffend is en nie in die wisselbougewasse voorkom nie. Dorsmasjiene wat in besmette lande gebruik is, moet onder geen omstandighede in onbesmette lande gebruik word nie. Indien sulke besmette lande wel gestroop word, moet die masjiene deeglik skoongemaak word voordat die volgende lande gestroop word. Wisselbou met nie vatbare gewasse soos mielies en sorghum (grasagtige gewasse) sal help om die siektedruk af te bring. Tans is dit die belangrikste metode om die siekte onder beheer te hou, maar dan moet die breëblaaronkruide baie goed beheer word. Die diep inploeg van besmette materiaal sal baie help, veral as dit opgevolg word deur vlakker bewerkings daarna om nie die sklerotiums na die oppervlakte te bring nie. Voorkomende bespuiting met geregistreerde chemiese middels op die R1-stadium van die plant, toon om tans die beste voorkomende oplossing te wees. Maak seker van die fase van die sojaboonplant vir effektiewe beheer. Wyer rye help soms om ongunstige toestande te skep vir die vorming van apoketiums, maar is nie altyd doeltreffend nie. Die gebruik van geregistreerde biologiese produkte het getoon dat dit kan bydrae tot verlaging in die voorkoms van die siekte. Navorsing gedoen deur dr Underwood het getoon dat bespuiting op die regte stadium slegs ‘n verlaging van 45% van die siekte meebring. Daarom is dit noodsaaklik dat alle maatreëls gelyktydig ingespan moet word om die siekte te beheer. Dr Underwood toon dat ‘n besmetting van tussen 15 en 20% nie eintlik opbrengsverliese teweegbring nie, maar ‘n besmetting van tussen 20 tot 30% ‘n opbrengsverlies van tussen 0.087 tot 0.37 t/ha kan meebring op sojabone. Genetiese weerstand blyk dan ook die mees doeltreffende metode te wees om die probleem hok te slaan. Tans is daar baie navorsing om hierdie weerstandsgene in die sojaboonplant in te bring. Die inspan van al die moontlike maatreëls is die enigste oplossing om die siektedruk laag te hou. Bronne: Persoonlike gesprek met dr A J L Phillips. Hoof van die afdeling Plantpatologie te Rietondale Navorsingstasie in Pretotia, 1991. Sclertinia-verwelksiekte en -kopvrot by sonneblom: M A Holtzhausen en dr G C A van der Westhuizen, Die O.T.Kaner, Desember 1987. Sclerotinia stamen kopvrot, ‘n groot bedreiging vir breëblaargewasse. A J Myburgh, Die O.T.Kaner Augustus/ September 1991 Sclerotinia inligtingsdag aangebied deur Bayer: Spreker, Dr Bill Underwood van die VSA

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Die Nasionale Minimumloonwet: Jahni de Villiers Agri SA

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Wat nou? Die nuwe minimumloon hou baie ernstige implikasies vir werkgewers in gegewe dat die wetgewing geskryf is met die klem op afdwinging en tot kwaai boetes en vervolging kan lei. Daarmee saam hou die skielike kostestyging van 17% die gevaar van werksverliese vir die landbousektor in. Die Nasionale Vergadering het op 29 Mei 2018 ‘n geskiedkundige stuk wetgewing aanvaar. Die Nasionale Minimumloonwet gee uitvoering aan ‘n universele minimumloon, geskoei op die beginsel wat deur die Internasionale Arbeidsorganisasie voorgehou word om onbehoorlike lae salarisse te elimineer en om behoorlike werk na te streef. Die nuwe minimumloon sal R20 per uur wees. Uitsondering is gemaak vir drie kwesbare sektore, wat ‘n persentasie van die nasionale minimumloon sal betaal. Hierdie sektore is landbou (90% of R18) huiswerkers (75% of R15) en werkers in die regering se uitgebreide openbarewerkeprogram (R11 per uur). Die datum waarop die wetgewing in werking gaan tree, is nog nie aangekondig nie. Die wetgewing moet nou na die Nasionale Raad van Provinsies vir goedkeuring, waarna die president dit moet onderteken en die datum van inwerkingtrede aankondig. Die motivering agter minimumlone is suiwer: Die daarstelling van ‘n minimumloon is veronderstel om die kwesbaarste werkers, normaalweg mense met min

opleiding en vaardighede, teen uitbuiting te beskerm. In die landbousektor is daar alreeds sedert 2006 ‘n sektorale vasstelling wat onder meer ‘n minimumloon vir plaaswerkers bevestig. Die bedrag van die minimumloon word per regulasie deur die minister van arbeid aangepas, gewoonlik op 1 Maart elke jaar. Teen hierdie agtergrond is minimumlone dus nie ‘n vreemde verskynsel wêreldwyd nie en beslis ook nie binne Suid-Afrika nie. Die nuwe wetgewing probeer egter om alle sektore oor een kam te skeer, wat nie noodwendig moontlik is binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks nie. Juis hieroor is daar besluit dat al die verskillende sektorale vasstellings wel sal voortbestaan, wat ‘n positiewe verwikkeling is. ‘n Ander positiewe verwikkeling is dat die wetgewing ‘n Nasionale Minimumloon-kommissie aan die lewe gebring het, wat oor die verhogings in minimumloon sal besluit. Die kommissie sal beslissings neem op grond van navorsing, en ‘n verskeidenheid insette, ook van al die partye wat normaalweg by Nedlac teenwoordig is, sal in ag geneem word voordat ‘n besluit geneem word. Dit beteken ‘n inklusiewe proses op nasionale vlak. Die vlak waarop ‘n minimumloon bepaal word, kan baie ernstige implikasies hê, gegewe dat die wetgewing geskryf is met die klem op afdwinging. Daar kan baie ernstige gevolge vir werkgewers wees wat nie voldoen nie.

Dit behoort in elk geval onder geen omstandighede ‘n opsie te wees nie. Die wetgewing verhoed ook dat werkgewers eensydig werknemers se ure of enige ander diensvoorwaardes kan verander en daardie artikel van die wet is teruggedateer na 1 Februarie 2017. Dus bly daar die opsie oor om aansoek te doen vir kwytskelding, wat ‘n elektroniese proses gaan wees, en vir een jaar geldig sal wees. Werkverliese kan moontlik gebeur as gevolg van die skerp kostestyging (dis ‘n 17%-verhoging in die landbousektor sedert 1 Januarie 2018 tot die intree van die nasionale minimumloon), in gevalle waar ‘n besigheid reeds op die rand van finansiële ineenstorting was. Dit is belangrik om te onthou dat die meerderheid boerderye in Suid-Afrika eintlike klein- en mediumondernemings (sogenaamde SME’s) is en dat boere prysnemers is, nie prysvasstellers nie. Dit is baie moeilik om minimumlone as heeltemal positief of negatief te bestempel en dis waarskynlik nie ‘n goeie manier om daarna te kyk nie. Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidswetgewing is veronderstel om beide die werkgewer en die werknemer te beskerm, maar dit is uiters gekompliseerd, gereguleerd en dikwels vol grys areas en interpretasie-ruimte. ‘n Argument dat ‘n potensiële werknemer self behoort te kan besluit wat hy of sy vir hul arbeid wil vra, is verkeerd. Die magswanbalans in ‘n omgewing waar daar ‘n oor-aanbod van arbeid is weens ‘n werkloosheidskoers van 27% is so erg dat dit nie ‘n onderhandeling sou wees nie. Aan die ander kant is dit ook hartverskeurend dat ‘n minimumloon moontlik iemand kon verhoed om ‘n werkgeleentheid te kry, omdat ‘n potensiële werkgewer nie kan bekostig om die persoon in diens te neem nie. Die volle effek van ‘n landswye minimumloon sal hom in die komende maande en jare afspeel. Die praktiese manier om ‘n impak te maak, is deelname aan die prosesse binne die Nasionale Minimumloon-kommissie en om seker te maak dat die proses deursigtig en ewewigtig bestuur word. Intussen word dit al hoe belangriker vir werkgewers om seker te maak dat hulle die inhoud van al ons arbeidswetgewing, waarvan die nuwe Nasionale Minimumloonwet maar een is, verstaan en korrek implementeer.

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Irrigation and water usage: Updating the stats Dr Gerhard Backeberg Water Research Commission

Many irrigation farmers in South Africa pay an annual research levy to the Water Research Fund in respect of water which is used for irrigation on scheduled land. This Fund is dedicated to financing the activities of the Water Research Commission (WRC) to support and undertake research on the use of water for agricultural, industrial and domestic purposes. The levy on irrigation water is, however, not the only source of income for the Fund: Levies on water use for urban, industrial and domestic purposes makes by far the biggest contribution.

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In this series of articles, Agri is in discussion with Dr Gerhard Backeberg, executive manager: water utilisation in agriculture of the WRC, in order to obtain information on water use and what the WRC is doing for investment of funds in water research. Earth observation to determine the irrigated area and water use of irrigated crops for South Africa Agri: The estimations of the area of irrigated crops are currently outdated and vary greatly. What research has been done to revise and update these estimates? Backeberg: Various assessments since 1990 documented the area under irrigation, using different approaches. According to these estimates, the area under irrigation ranged between 1.21 to 1.58 million ha and the area registered for irrigation was between 1.44 to 1.68 million ha. In order to address the knowledge gap regarding the appropriate methodology and obtaining recent empirical evidence of the irrigated area, a research project was initiated by the WRC in 2013, which was co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). The overarching aim of this research project, led by Prof Adriaan van Niekerk of Stellenbosch University, was therefore to update the existing estimations of the area and amount of water used by irrigated agriculture in South Africa (SA). Remotely sensed earth observation (EO) data are regularly captured from a wide variety of aerial and satellite platforms. The wide coverage and cost-effective nature of EO images are not only ideal for determining the area under irrigated agriculture, but have for many years been employed in energy balance modelling to provide up-to-date estimates of actual evapotranspiration (ET). The research consequently applied

various EO and geographical information systems (GIS) techniques. Monthly datasets of ET for a 12- month period were generated for the entire SA. The ET datasets describe the water consumption and crop production on land between 1 August 2014 and 31 July 2015. The generation of the irrigated area map and the calculation of the total water use by irrigated crops were informed by these datasets. The ETLook model used to produce the monthly ET dataset proved robust despite some challenges with available and accurate (spatial) rainfall data. The irrigated area map generated using the ET dataset – along with other remotely sensed data – was judged highly accurate by participating stakeholders. All known misclassifications were manually corrected to produce the final, validated third version of the map. The map showed that 1 334 562 ha of SA’s land surface was actively irrigated during 2014/15. The national aggregation of ET for all irrigated areas in 2014/15 showed that the total consumptive water use from irrigated agriculture in SA was 10 221 million m3 per year. This compares well with previous estimates such as the 1997 Overview of Water Resource Availability and Utilisation in South Africa, which estimated the water use by irrigated agriculture to be 10 740 million m3 per year. This project and report has therefore contributed to recent and accurate information on water use by different irrigated crops over time (i.e. throughout the growing season) and space (i.e. in different geographical areas).

Combining these datasets into a water accounting (WA) framework will improve understanding of the actual pressures on SA’s water resources with changes in land use, which will better inform water use for irrigated agriculture. Given that it is unlikely that the irrigated area mapping (IAM) and water use quantifications produced in this project are representative of the long-term situation, the application of the methodology to other periods is essential in supporting sound water management practices and guiding decisions about changes in water use allocations. If the irrigated area mapping process is automated, the latency (period required for production) can be reduced to a few weeks, which will substantially increase the reliability of the water use estimations, as it will allow for local validation to be carried out. Based on the results of this research, it is mainly recommended that: 1. Funding and operational implementation of the procedure for IAM is prioritised; 2. The irrigated area map is continuously updated (i.e. on a monthly or quarterly basis); 3. Consumptive water use of irrigated crops is revised on a continuous (seasonal) basis at national scale; and 4. The water accounting framework is applied on a primary catchment level, preferably in all catchments of SA. These findings and recommendations are published in WRC report no. TT 745/17 entitled “An earth observation approach towards mapping irrigated area and quantifying water use by irrigated crops in South Africa”, which can be ordered at the addresses below.

Visit the Water Research Commission’s webpage www.wrc.org.za for more information and/or ordering of research reports Tel: 012 761 9300 Fax: 012 331 2565 E-mail: wrc@wrc.org.za Private Bag X03, Gezina, Pretoria 0031.

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MEER as net tee Pietman Roos Agri SA

‘n Groot aanvraag na rooibosprodukte het daartoe gelei dat rooibosprodusente die moontlikheid ondersoek om ‘n produsenteliggaam te stig. “Die gehardheid van die rooibosplant te midde van die droogte in die Wes-Kaap het my verstom,” sê Werner Nieuwoudt, ‘n onlangse toetreder tot rooibosproduksie. “Dit is ‘n wonderlike plant wat aangepas is vir die natuurlike omstandighede van die streek.” Nieuwoudt is ‘n geoktrooieerde rekenmeester en het drie jaar gelede met rooibos in die Vanrhynsdorp-distrik bo-op Gifberg begin boer. Hy was een van die rooibosprodusente by die onlangse Agri SA-werkwinkel om die behoefte vir ‘n rooibosprodusenteliggaam te meet. “Die ervaring was deur die bank positief. Daar is ‘n definitiewe behoefte vir ‘n produsenteliggaam en nóú is juis die regte tyd om so iets te vorm, ongeag aan wie jy lewer of verkoop.” Die werkswinkel het na verskeie insette van rooibosprodusente geluister, soos onder meer om ‘n enkele bedryfspreekbuis te skep en om gesamentlike insae oor plantnavorsing te verkry. “Boere uit verskeie streke het die werkwinkel bygewoon en daar is werklik ‘n gemeenskaplike erkenning dat so ‘n organisasie nodig is.” Nieuwoudt is veral opgewonde oor die moontlikhede vir rooibos en wys gereeld daarop dat die plant soveel meer as net tee is. Rooibos word slegs in die Wes-Kaap verbou, maar die internasionale vraag groei steeds. Soos die rooiboskoors oorsee toeneem, is daar ander vraagstukke wat ook opduik, veral die beskerming van die handelsnaam, soos byvoorbeeld Port en Sjampanje in Frankryk of Tequila in Mexiko. Van die ander prioriteite wat op die werkwinkel bespreek is, is onder meer ‘n tekort aan sertifisering van organiese rooibos en ‘n graderingstelsel om standaarde vir die gehalte en sterkte in te stel. Laasgenoemde is juis belangrik omdat verskillende wêreldstreke se smake verskil, soos in Europa waar hulle meer van sterk tee hou. ‘n Geskatte 1,6 miljoen kilogram rooibos is in 2016 na Duitsland uitgevoer. In China – hoewel hulle daar meer van flou tee hou – is ‘n massiewe ontluikende mark wat nóg geleenthede vir produsente bied.

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Promosie | Promotion

The 4th Industrial Revolution poses challenges and opportunities for agriculture and agro-processing, says Standard Bank. No commercial activity can escape the implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution; the 21st century blending of the physical, digital and biological domains that is building on the digital revolution of the last century to bring massive change to agriculture and across value chains into the agro-processing industries of South Africa, says Nico Groenewald Head of Standard Bank Agribusiness. As with previous Industrial Revolutions, the 4th revolution will introduce new challenges and opportunities for the agricultural sector, it means changes through the value chain from crop production and the agro-processing chain by improving processes, increasing productivity and reducing costs, says Groenewald. There is no doubt that increased use of technology that begins in the fields presents opportunities to transform the agricultural base and the agro-processing industries that process agricultural products. Agro-processing is the largest employer within the manufacturing sector and could further increase its importance within the local economy. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, in 2016 the contribution of the agro-processing industry to the real value added (GDP) by the manufacturing sector and the economy was 32.2% and 4.4% respectively. The contribution of the agro-processing industry to the real output of the manufacturing sector and the economy was 31.6% and 7.7% respectively. Total imports in relation to the manufacturing sector and the economy was 18.2% and 9.7% respectively.” The potential of the converging technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution lies in providing South Africa with an opportunity become early adopters of technology and accelerate its agro-processing development. Some of the most recent advancements in technology and biotechnology that are transforming food production and impacting on agro-processing efficiency include: The use of drones at the start of crop cycles to produce accurate 3-D maps

for early soil analysis and seed planting patterns, crop spraying and crop monitoring. Using data and analytical tools to create ‘smart farming’ tools that can help improve yields and crop quality, increase farmers’ returns, reduce water consumption and even greenhouse gas emissions; International R&D companies creating analytical tools that use decades of research with new technologies (such as wireless data transfer and cloud computing) to transfer data regarding soil quality, nitrogen levels and the overall quality of soils and other operational requirements direct to framers; The future use of nanotechnology – the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular level. For example; Nano porous zeolites are already used to slowly release efficient dosage of water and of fertilisers for plants. Some of the tools already used in Africa include: Scientists in Nigeria creating a pest-resistant black-eyed pea that will resist pests that destroy US $ 300 million of crops annually; The development using mobile technology of the “Farm Shop”, Kenyan franchise network of agro dealers located in rural and under-served areas of Kenya. Each store has an Android-powered tablet with software that allows users to easily order inventory and track transactions in real-time, giving the company a unique ability to track prices and inventory levels. The mobile-based “iCow” app, an agricultural information service to help farmers enhance productivity of their cows. For example, it helps in the prevention - and cure - of milk related diseases by tracking each cow. Esoko, an app that assists rural farmers to identify markets where their products

and produce will receive the best prices. “One of the challenges for agriculture and agro-processing locally is the potential negative impact more adoption of technology could have on jobs in the sector”. “However, in South Africa, authorities, although conceding that large enterprises in the agro-processing industry contribute significantly to income and employment, point out that the relative share of small and medium agro-processing to total employment numbers is higher than their share of total income in the industry. Accordingly, they say, small and medium-sized processing enterprises have great potential for generating sustainable jobs whilst using technology to increase their incomes.” Barriers to entering the mainstream economy for small and medium-sized agro-processing operators include: High post-harvest losses; Lack of appropriate agro-processing technologies suited to start-up agro processors; Non-compliance with stringent agro-processing norms, standards and regulations; and Inconsistent supplies of raw material. “In South Africa, many activities within the agro-processing space are characterised by large companies that are vertically integrated along the entire value chain. The poultry industry has players that have grown activities within one sector of the chain into others. By using their original outputs, for instance production of feeds, they have entered the broiler and other areas of the chain. Ultimately, as the 4th Industrial revolution gains traction, competition will ensure that technologies available will become simpler and cheaper creating opportunities for smaller operators to take up their places in the agro-processing chain.

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A few ways not to have the worst labour relations in the world Jahni de Villiers Agri SA

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According to the World Economic Forum’s latest World Competitiveness Report, South Africa has the worst labour relations in the world. South Africa is ranked 137th out of 137 countries surveyed, and deteriorating labour relations have a direct impact on aspects such as GDP growth.

For a developing country with low economic growth, a stable labour market is vital. In short, bad labour relations is a dire situation for a country that needs its economy to grow in order to provide jobs and security to a growing population. The reasons for this finding are manifold, but according to Gawie Cillié from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, the biggest factor in labour relations that can be simply termed as “bad”, is a lack of trust between employers and employees. In South Africa, trade unions and employers have, generally, not moved beyond the “us” and “them”, “bourgeoisie” and “proletariat” argument to a point where parties can embark on a process from the perspective of mutual interest or gain. The employment relationship is built on trust. This is so fundamental that our legal framework provides that an employer may not dismiss an employee unless the employer can prove a breach of the trust relationship. Saying that South Africa’s labour relations lack trust, is a serious indictment against all role-players. Positive and harmonious labour relations are not possible unless the parties trust each other, and trust cannot be built on a union-led narrative that belongs in a different time. Similarly, trust cannot be built unless the deep inequality in our workplaces is adequately addressed, and this includes wage gaps.

The question arises: How does a business, especially the SMEs on which our growth depends, ensure that they do not fall into the mistrust and bad labour relations trend? Very simply, ensure that employees are engaged in all decision-making that affects them. This basic principle, which is nothing more spectacular than clear communication, means that employees understand the reasons that certain decisions are made in a business, and that employees have a real chance to influence decision-making. This process may sound cumbersome or appear to constrict the employer’s prerogative to make certain decisions, but the truth is that taking time to communicate and gain employees’ perspective, is far less difficult than having to try and gain buy-in after the fact. Further, by allowing employee inputs in almost every aspect of a business, innovation opportunities may also be unlocked. According to research done by the London School of Business, employee-led innovation can unlock new discoveries and ways of working that will benefit the business. According to Birkinshaw and Duke, there is a recipe for success when embarking on employee-led innovation: Time out, expansive roles, competitions and open forums, or Teco. Time-out acknowledges that employees need time away from traditional workspaces and ways of working to think creatively. Expansive roles point

towards the need for wider and more flexible job descriptions, so that employees are not constricted by a narrow role. Competitions refer to the importance of teambuilding through healthy (and often funny) competitions. Lastly, open forums are exactly that: Spaces where employees can express themselves freely. The scenario above would provide a very effective counter to bad labour relations and facilitate creative thinking and open communication. It ties in with the Japanese project management principle called “ringi”, which is a way of managing projects by physically letting every responsible person in a contract sign off on their area of responsibility, not only to stay accountable, but as a “blessing” on a compact that was thoroughly negotiated and agreed upon internally. This would be another way to counter bad labour relations effectively. By implementing these strategies, on a scale that fits the size of the business concerned, great strides will be made to a more harmonious workplace. The effect will snowball as soon as more and more workplaces start becoming harmonious. South Africans need to be alive to the fact that having the worst labour relations in the world is a very bad thing. This is the time for coming together, and finding a solution to our problems, in a creative and proudly South-African way.

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Definitive optimism and economic progress Dr Requier Wait Agri SA

In his book, Zero to One, Peter Thiel describes how entrepreneurs can produce value by creating something new: Not adding more of the same, but providing a product or service in a way no one else does, taking the world from zero to one. He goes on to discuss the role of luck or chance in achieving success, in the context of celebrities such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet who argue, perhaps as a form of modesty, that luck played a significant role in their success. Does success come from luck or skill? Clearly, it is easier for already successful people to do new things. However, can we dismiss claims by people that have succeeded according to a plan? From this, Thiel makes the argument that success and progress depends on how you view or perceive the future. You can view the future as either an optimist or a pessimist. More importantly, you can approach optimism as either being definitive or indefinite. An indefinite optimist believes the future will be better, but they do not know exactly how it will be better and therefore they refrain from making any specific plans. A definite optimist believes the future will be better, but only if he/she makes specific plans and work towards making it better. The view of definitive optimism correlates with the idea of succeeded according to a plan. It applies not only to individuals but also to societies and governments.

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I will touch on the implications of this view for governments and for farmers as business owners. In terms of governments, economic progress will only occur through directed actions viewing the world through the lens of definitive optimism. What does this require? Such a view needs to look at both current and future problems. What are the current and future economic obstacles? What can we do to overcome current obstacles and to minimise or prevent potential obstacles from materialising in the future? We can use education as an example. Government: Current obstacle Education can be a major driver to improve incomes and to reduce inequality. We need to transform unskilled workers into skilled workers. Access to education rightly receives a lot of attention and we see a focus on channelling more and more funding to education, for example, funding of free higher education for qualifying students. However, the quality of education does not seem to receive equal attention. Funding alone will not help – the effective and efficient use of funding to ensure quality education, importantly starting from primary school level, needs to be part of the education plan/strategy. Government: A future obstacle Making education future-proof: As technology evolves, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) will change the way we work. Similarly, the labour market will evolve and change. Whilst certain tasks will become automated, technology can also be complementary and can help to make people more productive. Whilst we need to improve the quality of education today, we need to think about the new skills we will need to prepare a workforce that is ready for

the changing dynamics of the labour market. Education should help workers to benefit from the opportunities new technologies will bring about. A similar thought process can be applied to farming as a business. Farmers as business owners: A current obstacle Managing profit margins: Farmers are price takers and increasing input costs can reduce the profit margins in their business. Improving efficiency in the use of inputs (saving costs) and improving your yield (getting a higher output with the same or similar inputs) are mechanisms of balancing your revenue and cost differential, helping you to cope with rising input costs. Farmers as business owners: A future obstacle Changing consumer preferences: Consumer tastes and preferences are changing, what they consume “today” will not be the same “tomorrow”, for example, the increasing share of the organic food market and a movement away from processed food. Farmers need to keep track of these trends. The demand for products you produce today will not necessarily stay the same, at some stage you may need to switch production to other products that will be in demand in the future. The idea of success from luck and chance may sound appealing. However, our futures are not a lottery ticket, we need a view of definitive optimism, both in government and in our personal lives. We need to act today and every day to ensure a better future does in fact materialise. To quote Gary Player: “It’s a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get!”

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BOERE RAAK GROOTSKAALS BY

PLAASWERKERBEMAGTIGING BETROKKE Christo van der Rheede Agri SA

Produsente kan eersdaags betrokke raak by regeringsplanne om ‘n agropreneurskapsone vir werkers te verskaf as deel van Operasie Agri-Phakisa. Ná ‘n sowat vyf-weeklange Operasie Agri-Phakisa-werkwinkel verlede jaar, is sewe fokusgebiede geïdentifiseer, wat onder meer graan, lewendehawe, grondhervorming, arbeid en landelike ontwikkeling insluit. Daar is verder 27 inisiatiewe uitgelig, wat insluit die optimisering van die bestuur van natuurlike hulpbronne en vaardigheidsontwikkeling. Agri SA dryf die Plaaswerkerbehuising-, Grondeienaarskap- en Agropreneurskap-inisiatief en is opgewonde oor die bereidwilligheid van produsente om hieraan deel te neem. Die inisiatief is ‘n holistiese plan om verskeie uitdagings, soos ongelykheid, ongeletterheid en middelmisbruik, aan te spreek. Dié inisiatief behels die bemagtiging van plaaswerkers en hul gesinne deur ‘n volhoubare gemeenskapsentra te skep. Die model maak staat op ‘n vennootskap tussen produsente, werkers en die regering. Die agri-dorp-konsep sal aan plaaswerkers titelaktes gee op grond van wat deur die regering of kommersiële landbou-organisasies geskenk is. Op dié grond sal daar huise, skole en klinieke gebou kan word.

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Daar is ook ‘n geleentheid dat klein besighede geskep kan word, oftewel ‘n agropreneurskapsone, wat plaaslike werkskepping sal ondersteun. In dié sone kan werkers onder meer die grond bewerk om self kleinskaalprodusente te word, ‘n varsprodukte- of kunsmark skep, prentjiemooi gebiede aan die rolprenten televisiebedryf bemark en verskeie toerismegeleenthede identifiseer. Die moontlikhede is legio. Die kerndoel is om volhoubare werkskepping te verseker vir dié werkers en hul nageslag. Op die Achtervlei-vrugteplaas in Piketberg in die Wes-Kaap is daar besluit dat daar anders, en sáám, oor behuisingskwessies gedink moet word. Hul eerste stap is om behuising vir afgetrede werknemers te bedink om sodoende gesonde verblyftoestande te verskaf. Die plaas poog om volhoubare vennootskappe te ontsluit. Een so ‘n vennootskap lewer verwerkte vrugte en konfyt wat van surplusvrugte gemaak word aan kleinhandelaars. Dié voorbeeld wys dat so ‘n program moontlikhede het om ‘n toekoms vir ieder en elk te verseker. Maar, dit is nie hier waar die werk stop nie. Agri SA is verbind tot die

bemagtiging en vaardigheidsontwikkeling van hierdie persone, sodat ‘n agropreneurskapsone nié persoonlike voortuitgang stuit en ‘n gemaksone raak nie. Daar moet ‘n volhoubare toekoms geskep word waar elkeen na hulself en hul geliefdes kan omsien. Hoewel nie alle produsente kosbare landbougrond sal kan afstaan aan dié inisiatief nie, is daar ‘n bereidwilligheid om op ander maniere te help. Daar moet nog baie water in die see loop om al die rolspelers bymekaar te trek. Die regering moet nog voldoende infrastruktuur vir die agropreneurskapsone skep. Die kabinet het reeds aangedui dat hy in sy skik is met produsente se deelname aan die inisiatief. Agri SA se voortgesette betrokkenheid by dié program is ‘n aanduiding van georganiseerde landbou se verbintenis tot maatskaplike inisiatiewe. Wedersydse respek en begrip van en deur elke rolspeler is van kardinale belang om ‘n sukses van die Plaaswerkerbehuising-, Grondeienaarskap- en Agropreneurskap-inisiatief te maak.


Operasie Phakisa Die Operasie Phakisa-regeringsprogram het ten doel om die nasionale ontwikkelingsplan te implementeer, asook om ekonomiese groei en werkskepping te bewerkstellig. Die woord Phakisa is ‘n Sotho-woord wat “maak gou� beteken. Agri SA is een van 161 deelnemers wat aan die vyfweeklange Agri-Phakisawerkwinkel deelgeneem het. Daar was lede van regeringsdepartemente, gemeenskapsorganisasies, vakbonde en internasionale belangegroepe soos die Verenigde Nasies-ontwikkelingsprogram. Die Land Bank en die Landbou Navorsingsraad was ook betrokke. Agri SA in samewerking met die Departement van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye asook die Departement van Landelike Ontwikkeling en Grondhervorming, is besig met die beplanning van loodsprojekte op grondvlak. Sentraal tot die opdrag was om voedselsekerheid vir alle Suid-Afrikaners en werkgeleenthede as die hoof-uitkomste te verseker.

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Promosie | Promotion

WEG IE3 compliant motor control and protection

WEG motors are IE3 compliant.

WEG control and protection components.

Reliable protection for an electric motor is essential in any application.

Reliable protection for an electric motor is essential in any application and with the increased move towards the use of IE3 motors by the South African farming community it has become increasingly important that the most appropriate starting method be selected to ensure optimum performance. IE 3 motors have greater inductances when compared to standard motors, and the copper losses are smaller, resulting in starting currents that are higher than conventional or IE1 and IE 2 motors. As a consequence of this, it is essential that the motor switching and protection components are engineered to meet the demands of the IE3 motor. Generally, the most basic starting method for an electric motor would be a direct online starter or star delta starter, however older generation switchgear has not been engineered for IE3 motor compatibility. The

increase in the starting currents may generate nuisance tripping on start-up conditions. Not only is this undesirable, it can also have a severe knock on effect in terms of operational productivity and efficiencies. A good example of this would be where a pumping operation is not activated timeously, affecting the irrigation of the crops, and if not solved could have an adverse effect on the actual harvest. WEG IE3 compliant low voltage switchgear has been engineered to offer absolute reliability while accommodating higher inrush and starting currents. Users can be confident that when using WEG IE3 compliant switchgear, their drive system will provide the highest levels of energy efficiency over a long service life. This will, in turn, translate into a reduction in the total cost of ownership (TCO) while complying with current environmental regulations.

WEG Motor Protective Circuit Breakers Typically, motor protective circuit breakers are affected most by the high starting current and inrushes of premium efficiency motors and this is because of sensitivities to transients and instantaneous values of current. WEG circuit breakers were evaluated specifically in terms of this and the multiple of short circuit release was changed from 12 to 13 times the rms value of the rated current. Following this modification, extensive testing was conducted to verify that with these modifications the whole range of WEG circuit breakers is IE3 compliant. WEG Contactors Improvements were made to WEG contactors and the entire range is IE3 compliant. Inrush is a transient phenomenon that only occurs during the first half-cycle of the current, and this was dealt with by reducing the contact bouncing levels during start up. This important and effective improvement was achieved by reducing the kinetic energy of the contacts through improving several components making the entire movable assembly lighter. Copper alloys with special hardness have also been used and the design of cores and coils optimised. The application of sound engineering principles has ensured that there has not been a mechanical or electrical lifespan reduction, or an increase in the contactor’s coil consumption. WEG Overload Relays Overload relays are designed to protect motors thermally against overload conditions and, unlike motor protective circuit breakers, are not sensitive to instantaneous currents. WEG solid-state and thermal overload relays conform to IE3 motor application Significantly, as a leading manufacturer of premium (IE3) and super-premium (IE4) electric motors, WEG has developed extensive expertise in IE3 equipment conformity and all WEG’s current switchgear and protection devices can be used without restriction to ensure the reliable operation of IE3 motors. Zest WEG Group’s technical team is able to assist customers in the appropriate selection of IE3 compliant control and protection components to optimise the efficiency of motor installations.

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Agri BEE guidelines will harm agriculture The guidelines proposed by the Agri BBEEE secretariat will likely have a major negative impact, or even destroy, both commercial and emerging agriculture.

Christo van der Rheede and Jolanda Andrag Agri SA

Recently the Agri BBBEE secretariat released proposed guidelines stipulating a list of licences, permits and certificates that will possibly be subjected to Agri BBBEE compliance. According to the document these measures will fast track transformation and enhance economic participation. However, given the scale and the nature of the proposed guidelines, massive job losses, revenue loss and disinvestment in primary agriculture can be expected if the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Daff) implements these measures. Mcebisi Jonas, former deputy minister of finance and now one of four special investment envoys appointed by president Cyril Ramaphosa, wrote in the Sunday Times of May 27, 2018 that for South Africa to be successful, it must create conditions for business to succeed. According to him government has set for itself an ambitious five-year investment generation target of R1.2 trillion. Some of the most critical actions to

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instil investor confidence, according to Mcebisi Jonas, are to make it easier to do business in South Africa by reducing the layers of permits and regulations which businesses must comply with. He also calls for the creation of a positive international profile of South Africa to attract investment. The proposed enforcement guidelines will do exactly the opposite. These guidelines suggest that all government departments must apply BBBEE criteria when allocating or renewing licences, certificates and permits, authorisations, approving grants for funding projects, etc. Seventeen Acts and Regulations are listed in the draft Agri BBBEE enforcement guidelines and are identified as potential enforcement levers by Daff. For example, the Agricultural Pest Act as well as the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act regulate the registration of operators trading in agricultural inputs, animal feeds and remedies. Pest control

operators, fertilizer companies, traders in agricultural remedies, stock remedies, animal feed and pet food will not be issued a certificate or permit if they are non-compliant with the AgriBEE codes. While Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME’s) with a turnover of R10 million and less will automatically receive preference, Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE’s) with a turnover between R10 million and R50 million and Large Enterprises (LE’s) with a turnover of more than R50 million will be subjected to a process which will give first preference to Level 1. If there is no Level 1 agricultural entity, preference will be given to Level 2, then Level 3 and then Level 4. If no level 4, preference will be given to any measured entity with BBBEE status between level 5 to 8. An important caveat in this regard is that there must be competition amongst applicants. The same process is envisaged for import and export traders of specific


plant and plant products or fruit to and from international markets. The inspection service from Daff that must ensure that all such traders comply with official requirements and phytosanitary measures, will first be made available to EME’s, thereafter to QSE’s and LE’s according to their level of Agri BBBEE compliance. All non-compliant agri entities will not be able to access this service. The issuing of import and export permits in terms of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act is also an annual undertaking. Manufacturers, processors, traders of agricultural products applying for permits could be subjected to a point system. Non-compliant will not get market access, because they will receive zero points. It is also proposed that various state entities such as PPECB, responsible for food quality and safety and for managing the export cold chain of the agricultural industry, the Agricultural Produce Agents Council that regulate the fresh produce, export and livestock agents, Onderstepoort Biological Products SOC and the National Agricultural Marketing Council also scrutinise every aspect of their regulatory frameworks to determine which service or function can be utilised to enforce Agri BBBEE compliance. Adding to the frustration is the fact that these guidelines were proposed without any consultation with the industry and without any research or data justifying it. Since the inception of Agri, BBBEE has failed to develop an efficient monitoring and reporting system to track and analyse BBBEE compliance. Currently Daff is unable to supply any statistics on compliance or the number of farmers who should comply. As an alternative Daff should have reconsidered the relevancy of the Agri BBBEE code to primary agriculture. Currently the code is very close to the generic code and implementing it on farms with a platonic employee structure

or family-owned farms is a challenge. The code also doesn’t take into account the structural differences of farms in terms of commodity, turnover, or number of employees. The code is also not linked to other transformation legislation and initiatives such as the skills levy, land reform, tenure reform, Agri Phakisa or other ethical codes that several commodities and export farmers are subjected to. Such intent to subject the applications for permits and all other business related regulatory authorisations by all agricultural entities to a myriad of laws, is not only a mammoth task and a very costly exercise, but it contradicts the objective by Mcebisi Jonas to reduce the layers of permits and regulations, which business must comply with. It also undermines the attempts by president Cyril Ramaphosa to attract investment and to profile the country as a place open for business. In addition, applying such punitive measures in denying any business entity its license or permit purely on the basis of compliance or non-compliance to the agri BEE charter, poses a huge risk to an already very fragile South African economy and is unconstitutional. A one-dimensional and draconian approach to enforce compliance, without taking into account the turnover of an agri-business, its contribution to the fiscus, its contractual obligations with international buyers, the amount of foreign exchange it earns, the amount of jobs created and other contributions to the South African economy, has never resulted in anything positive. All that it does, is to negatively affect the economy and reduce the ease of doing business. The commercial agricultural sector is playing a leading role in terms of growing the country’s economy. Gross farm income for 2017 amounted to R 274 948 billion. Expenditure for intermediate goods and services amounted to R141 959 billion. Farm debt amounted to R158 34 billion. The total of farm

assets amounted to R470 113 billion. Agricultural exports amounted to R103 396 and imports to R76 596 billion. Any attempt therefore to withhold permits or any other form of support will seriously jeopardise this contribution. Neither will it take the industry forward, nor will it advance the transformation objectives government has in its sights. It is only through growth, incentivisation, capacitation and the freedom to do business and be profitable, that these objectives can be realised. In this regard the industry is already pursuing a range of best practices based on win-win partnerships to bring about transformation. This poses a unique opportunity for government to take hands with the industry to expand these partnerships. However, the agri BEE Enforcement Guidelines seek to establish another layer of bureaucracy to enforce compliance. This will add even more people to an already bloated public sector. The two government departments responsible for agriculture and land reform currently employ approximately 13 000 people. Appointing more people to enforce compliance, instead of employing more expertise to assist black people in their endeavors to own and manage agricultural enterprises, is the wrong way to go. The president’s investment envoy, Mcbesi Jonas, states the following: “For South Africa to be successful, it has to create the conditions for business to succeed. Success will require cohesion in the government and a sense of common purpose among our citizens.” Agri SA therefore opposes any attempt to burden our economy with layers and layers of red tape and to hold our business sector hostage, with the contempt it deserves. What is required is more cohesion and common purpose, not division and disagreement. Together we can achieve so much more.

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GROWTH DUE TO INCLUSIVE DECISION-MAKING:

The Japanese example Jahni de Villiers Agri SA I was fortunate to attend a two-week training course in Tokyo on the Japanese principles of human resources and employee relations management in March 2018. While in that beautiful, foreign country, I was confronted with several equally foreign concepts that could very well find application in the South African context. The Japanese people place great emphasis on humility and respect, and this behaviour is not only reserved for one area of their lives. They bring this attitude to their places of work and are in the interesting position that they need to introduce plans in their workplaces to encourage a healthy work-life balance, instead of having employees work more than 60 hours per week. This imbalance has hampered diversity in Japanese workplaces, as women often do not return to work after having children. A country with both a low birthrate and a low number of eligible workers (unemployment is around 2%), could ill afford losing workers due to childcare responsibilities. In South Africa, the unemployment rate is around 27%, but women make up 45% of the workforce, and the fear that

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competent female employees are lost to the labour market after having children, is equally pertinent. This is where the first principle arises, that could easily move the South African labour market forward. No decisions are taken about company strategy or new initiatives to overcome problems (such as the diversity management and work-life balance issues) without the input and buy-in of workers and management alike. In South Africa, we tend to fall into old, learned patterns of behaviour in workplaces, where management and workers or organised labour are on opposite sides of the table, instead of working together to find solutions to common problems, or moving towards a common goal. Interestingly, the Japanese trade union movement is unique, in that there are thousands of workplace-based unions, instead of the large, industry-based unions we have in South Africa. The companies we were fortunate enough to visit, regard those unions as a very important stakeholder in their business, and there are even cases of what South Africans would term a closed-shop agreement, where union membership is mandatory to be employed at that particular workplace. This is the second principle that might bring about labour reform. In Japan, unions are recognised as the mouthpiece of the workers, and therefore given an equal seat at any decision-making process. This inclusivity has the unintended (but very positive) outcome that strike action rarely occurs in Japanese workplaces. Unions have moved away from pure socialist doctrine to being growth focused, it appears that is now part of decision-making about the future and their members. The question arises: How much of the movement towards militant unionism in South Africa stems from unhappiness with how workplaces are managed. Or on the other hand, how much the cooperation between management and workers could be improved if all parties concerned moved towards a model of mutual interest bargaining instead of settling into comfortable, predictable, adversarial roles? This model is not limited to unionised workplaces but can be adapted to fit any set of circumstances, as parties participate on equal footing, with a common

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goal in mind. The last principle that could find application in our context is the Japanese willingness to listen to and explore opinions other than what is traditionally available. In our group we were 22 experienced human resources or employee relations professionals, from 17 developing countries. We were there to learn from an ancient culture how to make changes to the benefit of our own companies and countries. In certain areas the complete opposite happened. Japan has a massive diversity problem and we as South African are decades ahead of the Japanese in addressing the problem. Our lecturers and guest speakers were eager to listen to us, even though they were all academics with very long lists of credentials. They wanted us to keep in touch and discuss solutions to their problems too. The humility and respect of the Japanese were eye-opening, and it showed me that South Africans do, at times, develop an insular response to universal problems. You cannot solve a problem if you stare at the problem, nurse the problem and keep your entire focus on the problem all the time. You will forget to look up and see the solution. Our country’s problems are by no means so unique that we cannot search the world for an answer. Our labour market has plus points we can sell to the world. I believe that inclusivity, including not making decisions affecting employees without them, as well as including bargaining partners on equal footing and being open to solutions from unlikely sources, are valuable lessons to be learnt from the Japanese people.


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Mens se beste vriend is boer se grootste vyand Dr Gerhard H Verdoorn Gifinligtingsentrum

Ons geveg met die rooijakkals en rooikat is soos ‘n duisendjarige oorlog wat tot nog toe geen wenner het nie. Dit laat party veeboere handdoek ingooi, terwyl ander verbete teen die roofdiere voortbaklei sonder dat daar einde in sig is. Met verbeterde omheinings, slim afweertegnieke en beskermende diere is daar groot sukses in die bekamping van predasie, maar een knaende kwessie is besig om al die positiewe aspekte van sinvolle predasiebestuur heeltemal te kelder. Dit is die mens se beste vriend, naamlik Hond. Hond is deesdae op die oorlogspad teen veeboere, wildboere en die natuur. Oral is daar berigte oor ernstige skade wat deur honde aangerig word. ‘n Mens word naar as jy sien hoe honde vee, wild en kleinwild verskeur en lewendig in die veld agterlaat. Die Nasionale Wolkwekersvereniging (NWKV), wat die sektretariaat van die Predasiebestuursforum (PBF) is, het al ‘n

paar groot spronge met die hondekwessie gemaak. Daar is vergadering met metrorade gehou om vas te stel wat hulle bestuursmaatreëls vir rondloperhonde is. Met die verval van wetstoepassing is dit haas onmoontlik om iets aan onwettige jag met honde te doen. Stropery met honde is net so moeilik om te hanteer, want daar is dikwels gevestigde belange by die wetstoepassingsowerhede se individue wat self aan onwettige jag met honde deelneem. Die NWKV se samesprekinge met metrorade is egter positief want die leiers besef dat almal aangetas word, van die kommersiële boer tot die kleinboer wie se paar skapies deur honde vernietig word. Hopelik kom daar ernstige optrede om die oormaat rondloperhonde tot niet te maak. Daar sal sekerlik ‘n geween en gekners van tande wees as sulke honde van kant gemaak word. Diegene wie se harte vir die honde bloei, moet dan ‘n naweek uitry na die Kalahari of Oos-Kaap se afgeleë gebiede en gaan kyk hoe ‘n Nama of Xhoza se hele bestaan in een aand vernietig is deur rondloperhonde. Miskien kan ‘n kommersiële boer die slae vat wat rondloperhonde uitdeel, maar ‘n kleinboer wat al geslagte lank op dieselfde grondjie ‘n bestaan met sy paar skapies voer, kan nie bekostig dat honde in een nag sy hele trop Damaraskape verskeur nie. Dit is baie maklik om anti-Hond te raak, maar ons moet in ag neem dat Hond ‘n dier is wat nie kan redeneer nie, nog minder kan Hond onderskei tussen

privaateiendom en gemene eiendom. Dit is die eienaars wat Hond ‘n bitter slegte naam gee en die haat teen hom laat opvlam. Boonop is daar lelike dinge wat gebeur as gevolg van Hond se eienaar wat hom as stroper, veedief en natuurvernietiger gebruik. Boere sal die afgelope vyf jaar se ernstige aasvoëlvergiftigings onthou waarvan meeste die resultaat was van boere wat gif uitgeplaas het vir honde. Gif bly net onaanvaarbaar as dit in karkasse gesteek word en die einde is alreeds in sig vir aasvoëls as gevolg van gif. Miskien moet ons stadsjapies met al wat boer is saamspan en die onwettige gebruik van honde vir veediefstal en wildstropery met hand en tand beveg. Die Dierebeskermingsvereniging (DBV) sal ook hulle visie oor dieremishandeling moet verbreed om wreedheid teenoor plaasdiere en wild in te sluit; dit is noodsaaklik omdat Hond en kie ernstige mishandeling teenoor plaasdiere en wild pleeg. Ons hou duim vas vir die werk wat die NWKV doen om die hondekwessie aan te spreek en op te los. Intussen moet boere ook hulle deel doen en seker maak dat plaaswerkers nie troppe honde aanhou wat mens en dier se lewens vergal nie. Moet ook nie gif gaan gooi nie want die gevolge is ondenkbaar sleg vir die omgewing en as jy uitgevang word, is die persoonlike gevolge net so ernstig. Skakel maar 082 446 8946 sodat ons kan help met raad en daad!

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VÓÓR DIE KOEËL DEUR DIE KERK IS:

SKALIEGAS-ONTWIKKELING IN SUID-AFRIKA Die uitdrukking ‘die koeël is deur die kerk’ het ‘n interessante herkoms. Janse Rabie Agri SA

Reeds in antieke tye het die Hebreërs stede gehad waar mense wat misdade sonder voorbedagte rade gepleeg het, kon gaan skuil. In Egipte en Griekeland het alle tempels dié status geniet en die reg het vanaf die 4de eeu ook in Christelike kerke en abdye gegeld. Die instandhouding van kerke tydens oorlog was ook later van tyd die laaste bewys van wedersydse respekbetoning tussen strydende moondhede. Tydens die Tagtig-Jarige Oorlog (15681648) tussen die Spaanse Koninkryk en die Nederlandse opstandelinge, het die Beleg van Haarlem plaasgevind (15721573). Nadat die stad Haarlem geweier het om aan die Spanjaarde oor te gee, het die Spaanse bevelvoerder, Don Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, besluit om die stad te beleër. Die veldtog het vir sewe maande voortgeduur voordat die stad uiteindelik oorgegee is. Die debat rondom die beoogde planne om skaliegas in die Karoo en ander dele van Suid-Afrika te ontwikkel, woed tans steeds hewig in Suid-Afrika. Die

Minister van Minerale Hulpbronne het onlangs weer beaam dat die regering steeds van voorneme is om skaliegas as deel van Suid-Afrika se energiebronne te ontwikkel, ten spyte van aankondigings deur Shell dat hy van plan is om sy werksaamhede in Suid-Afrika af te skaal vanweë, onder meer, afwaartse skatting van Suid-Afrika se moontlike skaliegas-hulpbronne. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Minerale- en Petroleumhulpbronneontwikkelingswet, 28 van 2002 (die MPRDA, om die Engelse afkorting te gebruik) maak voorsiening vir vier verskillende soorte magtigings wanneer dit gaan om skaliegas-aktiwiteite, naamlik: (i) ‘n Verkenningspermit; (ii) ‘n Tegniese samewerkingspermit; (iii) ‘n Verkenningsreg; en (iv) ‘n Produksiereg. Verkennings- en tegniese samewerkingspermitte laat die houer van sulke permitte nie toe om fisiese versteurings

op enige terreine aan te rig nie. ‘n Verkenningspermit is van korte duur (een jaar) en behels hoofsaaklik die verkryging van seismiese data. Geen verdere regte vloei voort uit ‘n verkenningspermit nie en dit is ook nie hernubaar nie. In teenstelling daarmee bepaal die MPRDA dat die houer van ‘n tegniese samewerkingspermit die uitsluitlike reg bekom om aansoek te doen vir ‘n verkenningsreg indien so ‘n persoon kan aandui dat hy aan die nodige formaliteite voldoen het en geen ander persoon die houer is of aansoek gedoen het vir ‘n ander tegniese samewerkingspermit, verkenningsreg of produksiereg vir skaliegas op ‘n spesifieke terrein nie. Die houer van ‘n verkenningsreg verkry insgelyks die eksklusiewe reg om ‘n produksiereg te bekom indien aangedui kan word dat aan al die voorgeskrewe formaliteite voldoen is en dat geen ander persoon vir dieselfde skaliegas op dieselfde terrein enige ander regte of permitte hou nie. Die kritiese punt hieruit is dat ‘n

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entiteit wat aansoek doen vir ‘n tegniese samewerkingspermit vir skaliegas die eksklusiewe reg bekom om aansoek te doen vir ‘n verkenningsreg en daarna ook die eksklusiewe reg bekom om aansoek te doen vir ‘n produksiereg. Vir ‘n multi-nasionale petro-chemiese maatskappy wat die moontlikheid vir miljarde rande wins uit die uiteindelike ontwikkeling van skaliegas voorsien, is die verkryging van ‘n tegniese samewerkingspermit dus byna so goed as ‘n koeël deur die kerk as hy weet dat dit uiteindelik tot ‘n eksklusiewe reg tot volwaardige produksie sal lei. Wanneer tegniese samerwerkingspermitte, verkenningsregte en produkiseregte eers bekom word, is die uitoefening daarvan somtyds baie moeilik om te keer. Die betwisting van die resultate en aanbevelings rondom daaropvolgende prosesse, byvoorbeeld omgewingsimpakstudies en waterlisensie-aansoeke, plaas ‘n moontlike beswaarmakende party onmiddellik op die agtervoet, veral wanneer die noodsaaklikheid en wenslikheid van moontlike energie-onafhanklikheid vir Suid-Afrika opgeweeg word teenoor moontlike omgewingsimpakte. Dié benadering skyn tans die bo-toon te voer, nieteenstaande toenemende wêreldwye verset teen skaliegas-ontwikkeling by wyse van hidrobreking weens die onteenseglike negatiewe omgewingsimpakte wat daarmee verband hou. Skaliegasvoorstanders hou dit dikwels aan ons voor dat ontwikkeling van ‘n suksesvolle skaliegasindustrie vir Suid-Afrika onmisbaar is. Die doel heilig dus die middele, soos nog ‘n spreekwoord sê. Dit is egter ook nodig om te besef dat sódanige benadering basiese etiese en morele waardes heeltemal versmaai, soos wat in Haarlem in 1573 gebeur het. Die pleidooi is dus om nou standpunt teen skaliegas-ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika in te neem en ‘n duidelike streep in die stof te trek, vóór die koeël deur die kerk is.

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Die Spaanse okkupeerders het die protestantse predikant van Haarlem se trotse St. Bavo-kerk as afvallig beskou. Daar is toe besluit om hom tydens ‘n preek bo van die kansel af te skiet – en dit nogal met ‘n kanon. Die dominee het die skoot oorleef, maar die koeël was letterlik deur die kerk... Vreemd genoeg, nie dwarsdeur nie – om die waarheid te sê, dit sit steeds vas in een van die kerk se mure vir almal om tot vandag toe nog te sien. Nietemin, vandaar die uitdrukking wat byna 400 jaar later nog steeds in Nederland en aan die suidpunt van Afrika gebruik word. Wanneer vyandelikhede die stadium bereik wanneer een of albei partye niks meer sal ontsien ten einde hulle doelwitte te probeer bereik nie, is die koeël deur die kerk.


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Promosie | Promotion

Listeriosis can be rallying call for the industry The recent listeriosis outbreak is a timely reminder that the food supply chain is constantly under attack from outside threats. In this, there is a lesson for the rest of the industry, writes Emma Corder, Nilfisk South Africa Country Manager. One doesn’t have to look far to find serious cases of disease or contamination somewhere along the agri value chain. This year alone, five people died in the United States due to E. coli-infected romaine lettuce, and New Zealand is culling nearly 130 000 cows to stave off a Mycoplasma bovis epidemic. Closer to home, we’re still suffering the ill effects of the listeriosis outbreak that claimed more than 200 lives since the beginning of 2017. It’s clear from the severity of these cases that the agriculture sector faces threats on multiple fronts, demanding constant vigilance to avoid a major crisis. The rapid and deadly spread of South Africa’s listeria infection is a harsh reminder of the responsibility that befalls everyone involved in the food value chain. With nearly 18 months passing between discovery to being declared under control by the health minister, it’s also clear that these events take some time to be resolved. And that carries a considerable cost. For the pork industry, that has been the loss of nearly 2 000 jobs as revenue fell by R800 million a month. The knock-on effect, according to the SA Pork Producer’s Organisation, is the loss of R100 million a month in allied industries. These are considerable impacts that won’t easily be absorbed or overcome in the short term. Export destinations, for instance, will have to be assured that processed meat products are safe for consumption. Countries including Zambia‚ Malawi‚ Botswana and Namibia have banned South African processed meat imports, while Rwanda banned dairy‚ meat‚ fruit and vegetables. Adopting a glass-half-full attitude to this

latest crisis, one could consider the heightened focus on hygiene in agriculture as a positive outcome. Processed meats might be the current focus, but that could shift just as easily and quickly to other sectors that are as prone to bacterial infections and diseases. Take the dairy sector, which has not been exempt from health scares of various descriptions over the years. This is not surprising because there are so many threat points throughout the processing of dairy products. The breadth of the front that the dairy sector has to defend is illustrated in the recent New Zealand decision to cull entire herds. Rather than risking contagion reaching the country’s remaining population of more than 6 million cattle, even healthy cattle in infected herds will be culled over the next two years. These extreme measures are fully justified given the industry’s contribution to the country’s export earnings. And therein lies an important lesson for the food and agriculture industries: half-measures only prolong the threat. And this applies not only to times of crisis, but to the day-to-day, seemingly mundane, operational activities that make up the working lives of people throughout the dairy supply chain. It should be believed that every step and action in the production process is vital to delivering products safe for consumption. And that’s because every step and action in the production process IS vital. Handling food or a process in the production chain demands a special attention to detail because each step could potentially introduce some form of contamination.

As a supplier of specialist equipment to the agricultural sector, we obviously promote our products as solutions to help producers meet hygiene and food safety standards. But machinery can only contribute so much to being compliant. It’s up to all of us in the agri industry to develop this culture of caring about every step in the process. Diligence and vigilance come from understanding the impact that even the smallest action or activity has on our ability to deliver the best quality food to dinner tables around the country. The processed food industry is going to need such attention to detail by the bucket loads to remedy the damage it’s suffered. This example also carries a stark reminder to all other sectors that we cannot let standards slip if we want to avoid the same value destruction.

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Promosie | Promotion

Farm hard with Firestone Farming isn’t just about beautiful mealie fields and incredible sunsets over your herd. It’s about long days, sweat on foreheads and many dusty kilometres before the day is done. It’s about sore muscles and dirty hands and it’s the kind of vocation that is made or broken by great partnerships and hardy equipment. This means that choosing the right agricultural tyres is not just important, but vital to the operation of any agricultural business. That’s what the Firestone agricultural or “farm hard” range does so well; it supports every farmer in getting the job done, even on the hardest of days. Equipment and harvest time might be weighing on your mind and it’s easy to underestimate the power of the tyres you choose to fit on that equipment. In fact, the right tyres could mean a difference in your downtime and therefore, your bottom line. “Our research tells us that farmers don’t think about tires unless there is a problem,” says Tony Orlando, president, Firestone Ag, Bridgestone Americas Tyre Operations. “They are busy making decisions on seed purchases, fertilizer costs and marketing their grain, and they need tyres they can rely on to get the job done”. This kind of insight is what drives Firestone to keep bringing new technology to the agricultural industry; they give you the perfect solution so you can focus on the important stuff.

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Orange orchards to rolling fields to roughly ploughed land; the real value of the range comes in its versatility. Whether you need a tyre that gives you better traction on a wet day or a more specific product that enhances your performance in either broad land or narrow row crop farming, Firestone has an agricultural solution that won’t let you down. Maybe you need to carry heavier loads and your exceptional equipment demands higher horse power, either way you know you’re covered with Firestone. In fact, you can choose a tyre designed specifically for your personal needs with regards to tread, size and application. No matter what you’re looking for, Firestone can help you find it. The best part about this agricultural tyre range is that it comes to you under a brand name you can trust. There’s a reason Firestone is the number one farm tyre brand in the USA. You know with Firestone you’re getting reliable and extensively tested tyres with the added bonus of a warranty for up to nine years as well. This warranty means that Firestone is not only committed to assisting you during the sales process but for an extended time after that. Firestone’s nineyear warranty is unique to the industry and it speaks to the commitment and reliability we should expect from all of our products. There’s a long history behind the Firestone farm tyre. Harvey Firestone introduced the

first pneumatic farm tyre in 1932, causing a ripple effect across the entire industry and changing it forever. That means that you can take comfort in the fact that Firestone understands this industry better than anyone out there and this is only reinforced by their constant strive for innovation. Their engineering team develops, tests, and evaluates new technologies and advancements with you in mind, whether it’s a demand for a new tread pattern or a new way to traverse soft sand, we are working to bring you the ultimate agricultural solution. There is also a dedicated Farm Tyre Test Centre, Located in Columbiana, Ohio. This 400-plus-acre location is the only research facility of its kind in the world, in that it is fully dedicated to exclusively testing agricultural tyres. This means you always have the peace of mind that Firestone are producing the best of the best, as well as giving you the right tools to get the job done. This versatile and extremely well-developed range is built for farming; it’s made for those long hard days in the dirt. The Farm Hard range understands that every season brings a new challenge and it’s not only ready to meet the challenges of the difficult farming industry, but excel in them. So, if you’re in the farming business and looking to get an incredibly reliable partner on the road with you, Firestone is the tyre brand for you.


off-season? Farmers don’t have an off-season and neither does Firestone.

Firestone tyres perform like your job depends on them — because it does. # # # #

FARMHARD BOERKLIPHARD NGOKOMELELEYO NGAMANDLA

9 YEAR WARRANTY! FIRESTONE.CO.ZA

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Vir enige boerdery is die bestuur van water, n skaars hulpbron, ‘n kritiese funksie wat ‘n direkte invloed op volhoubare voedselvoorsiening het. GAST is reeds sedert 1961 die industrie leier in die voorsiening en installering van verskeie waterdigting en waterbestuur stelsels vir die kommersiële landbou, sowel as die konstruksie industrië. Vir die Boer wat ernstig is om sy water verantwoordelik te bestuur en te spaar, bied GAST se “HDPE” en “LDPE” belyningstelsel opsies ‘n bekostigbare oplossing vir grond damme van enige grootte of vorm terwyl die GAST “Reservoir Seal 101” vir sement damme en krippe aangewend kan word. Die belynings produkte voldoen, nie net aan die hoogste vervaardigings standaarde vir die beskerming teen UV, skeure of lekke nie, maar word 100% ondersteun deur 56 jaar se GAST ondervinding, ontwikkeling, kennis en integriteit. GAST bied ook waarborge aan van 5 – 20 jaar. “Daar is talle wat ons probeer navolg, maar daar is min wat vergelykbaar kan wees!” Kontak ons vir ‘n geen verpligting kwotasie om jou bytestaan met die effektiewe bestuur van een van ons Boere se skaarste hulpbronne.

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Tel: +27 12 660 1616 | Fax: +27 (86) 607 4412 | EPOS: info@gast.co.za | Webtuiste: www.gast.co.za


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Perfekte oplossings in besproeiingsbestuur

Doen navraag by jou naaste besproeiings handelaar oor Agriplas Produkte

www.agriplas.co.za KAAPSTAD - Hoofkantoor Posbus 696, Brackenfell 7561 Tel: +27 21 917 7177 Faks: +27 21 917 7200

Tamaties Julie2015.indd 1

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GAUTENG

Posbus 11052, Randhart 1457 Tel: +27 11 908 2204 Faks: +27 11 908 5312

MPUMALANGA

Suite 63, Postnet X 11326, Nelspruit 1200 Tel: +27 13 755 3510 Faks: +27 13 755 3505

2015/07/09 3:02 PM


LEOCPT/185LBR/E

Ons het die afgelope 50 jaar ’n paar dinge oor groei geleer. Total het die afgelope vyf dekades sterk op die landbousektor gefokus. Gedurende hierdie tyd het ons hard gewerk om innoverende, kliÍntgesentreerde oplossings te ontwikkel wat daarop gemik is om groei in die sektor te bevorder, deur ons boere te ondersteun met die baanbreker-produkte en kundige advies wat hulle nodig het.

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In die voorste gestoeltes Pietman Roos Agri SA

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Meeste politici is maar net sondaars wat probeer en daar is ‘n groot tekort aan deernis vir hierdie mense wat ‘n ondankbare taak verrig. So meen Jan-Jan Joubert, politieke joernalis wat oor die jare bekend geword het vir sy toeganklike analise en vlymskerp kwinkslae wat selfs die magtigste politikus aarde toe bring. Joubert is in Pretoria gebore, maar het op ‘n vroeë ouderdom na Durban “ontsnap” en sy honneursgraad in geskiedenis aan Kovsies verwerf. By Maties wou hy sy meestersgraad aanpak, maar het hom vasgeloop. “Ek en professor Pieter Kapp van Stellenbosch het mekaar nie gevind nie, aangesien die departement in daardie jare in die VOC en wynbou gespesialiseer het, wat grootliks irrelevant was.” Ná sy geskil met die professor het hy deur Stellenbosch geloop en toevallig op die joernalistiek-department se voorstoep beland. Hy het sy honneurs in joernalistiek by Maties voltooi, by Beeld aangesluit en deur sy loopbaan vir meeste van die nasionale publikasies gewerk. Oor sy liefde vir joernalistiek haal Joubert die afgestorwe Philip Graham, eienaar van The Washington Post, aan dat joernalistiek die first rough draft of history is. “My werk laat my toe om in die voorste gestoeltes te sit en fenomenale goed te beleef, soos toe voormalige president Zuma in sy rol as adjunk-president in Junie 2005 afgedank is.” Vir hom was hierdie tot dusver die enkele grootste historiese gebeurtenis in sy loopbaan, “omdat dit tot wegbreek-partye soos Cope gelei het en die geykte siening op sy kop gedraai het dat dit jou patriotiese plig is om ANC te


“Eintlik moet hulle verstaan dit is gevaarlik om jou te ignoreer.” stem.” Weg van die persgalery het hy ook eienaardighede uniek aan Suid-Afrika se politiek beleef. “Ek is eenmaal vir ‘n volle dag na die voormalige Kwazulu-Natal se LUR vir maatskaplike ontwikkeling, prins Gideon Zuma, se huis genooi,” vertel Joubert. “Hy het as die ‘Butcher of Eshowe’ bekend gestaan en die kole van die geweldpleging het nog gesmeul. Aan die begin is ons gedwing om na 28 fotoalbums te kyk wat sy verskillende luiperdvel-uitrustings wys. Terwyl ons kyk, het hy en sy entourage hartlik impromptu begin saamsing. Ek was so verbouereerd, dit was soos die eerste keer by ‘n Roomskatolieke kerk. Elke nou en dan sou hy vir sorghumbier roep, na die kaalkop-kelner wys en vra “doesn’t he look like FW de Klerk?” Met die staatsbesoek saam met minister Dhlamini-Zuma aan die Comoreseilande is hy laat weet dat ‘n mens vinnig moet spring om kos by die staatsbanket te kry. “Die mense was hónger. Dit was ‘n geval van: Op jou merke, gereed, eet! Ek kon die desperaatheid in hul oë sien.” Die Suid-Afrikaanse afvaardiging het toe saamgewerk om ‘n skrum voor die kospotte te vorm. ‘n Politieke joernalis kort ‘n groot mate van nuuskierigheid oor gebeure en mense om die regte inligting te kry. “Die mense kom aan by parlement en jy kyk dan wie lyk wakkerder. Daar is ge-

neigdheid om hulle ook te bevriend, want selfs al is daar MP’s wat vas aan die slaap is, is ‘n mens aangetrokke aan die goeies. Met die verloop van tyd raak hulle dan meer senior en ook minder maklik om by uit te kom, maar dan moet jy bewys dat jy goed genoeg is om nie geïgnoreer te word nie. Eintlik moet hulle verstaan dit is gevaarlik om jou te ignoreer.” ‘n Joernalis moet altyd onthou: “Jy is nie die hoofspeler in jou eie drama nie, jy is net daar om te beskryf en te verstaan” Joubert het onlangs sy boek Wie gaan in 2019 regeer? bekendgestel, wat lesers ‘n eenvoudige manier bied om die politiek te verstaan. “Die boek is geskryf om die politieke proses ‘n bietjie duideliker en meer pret te maak, en om lesers te leer om behoorlik vooruitskattings te doen. Ek het nie baie name genoem nie, name verwar mense en lyk soos ‘n telefoongids. Hierdie is meer soos ‘n spanningsverhaal geskryf.” Hy is afwysend op diegene wat voel alle politici is lui en oneerlik. “Dit is ‘n banale en lui veralgemening om te voel politici is noodwendig korrup of lui. En as dit waar is, is dit jou eie skuld – jy kan immers aan die proses deelneem.” Rakende die huidige fokus op onteiening sonder vergoeding is hy heelwat optimisties. “Dit lyk baie belowend dat die mosie nie sal deurgaan nie, want dit sal potensieel die mees rampspoedige besluit vir Suid-Afrika wees. Ek het pens en pootjies die stryd betree en alle verantwoordelike Suid-Afrikaners moet ook betrokke raak. “Moenie oorgerus wees nie, waaksaamheid is die prys van vryheid.”

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ETIMOLOGIE

Al ooit gewonder waar ‘n woord vandaan kom? Ernst Kotzé (emeritusprofessor, NMMU) verduidelik waar mooi Afrikaanse woorde se oorsprong lê.

Die woord skuiwergat het sowel ‘n letterlike as ‘n figuurlike betekenis. Sonder enige konteks, verwys dit letterlik na ‘n opening wat toegeskuif kan word. In die landboukonteks het dit heel spesifiek die betekenis “gat onder in ‘n kraal of op ‘n stoep waardeur óf mis uitgestoot kan word, óf water afgevoer kan word” (GJ van Wyk, Etimologiewoordeboek van Afrikaans). In die figuurlike betekenis gebruik ons die woord om te verwys na ‘n gaping in ‘n voorskrif of verbod (byvoorbeeld in ‘n wet of regulasie) wat ‘n uitkomkans bied om dit te ontduik, byvoorbeeld “Hy soek ‘n skuiwergat in die wet om vervolging vry te spring.” Maar waar kom die skuiwer-gedeelte vandaan? Behalwe die skuiwer van ‘n hek of deur waarmee dit toegemaak kan word, kan dit ook verwys na ‘n plank met ‘n handvatsel wat gebruik is (of word) om bv. die kraalmis deur die gat te skuif. Pannevis het alreeds in 1880 die woord skuiergat in Die Afrikaanse Patriot gebruik, maar dié spelling het nie inslag gevind nie. Betekenismatig lê dit egter die naaste aan die woord spuigat, wat sowel in Nederlands as in Afrikaans verwys na ‘n ronde gat in ‘n skeepsdek of langs die romp vir die afvoer van water, letterlik ‘n gat waardeur die water “uitgespuug” word. Hoewel ons weet dat die Oud-Nederlandse woord spuier ‘n uitlaatpyp aan dakgeute is om die dakwater so ver moontlik van die mure af te voer, is die roete van spuigat na skuiwergat in die volksmond ongelukkig nog iets waaroor ons slegs kan spekuleer.

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Hoëveldrif is boere se bondgenoot

Promosie | Promotion

Hoëveldrif Chemikalieë lewer topgehalte-diens aan graanprodusente in die suidelike hoëveldstreek. Hoëveldrif se diens sluit in plant- en plaagbeheer, tegniese en professionele aanbevelings op alle gewasse, spesialiteitskunsmis en grondgesondheidsprodukte, saad, hommeltuig- en satelliettegnologie met monitoring van peste en plae. Die hedendaagse boer steun sterk daarop om onkruide, insekte en siektes te beheer met die nuutste en betroubaarste tegnologie tot sy beskikking om sodoende ‘n meer winsgewende boerderypraktyk te bedryf. Hoëveldrif se fokuspunte is juis om goeie en professionele tegniese aanbevelings deur middel van verkoopsagente die nodige inligting aan boere te verskaf. Hoëveldrif versprei verskeie internasionale en nasionale verskaffers se produkte, om vir die graanprodusent ‘n kostedoeltreffende, seisoenlange beheer program daar te stel. Hoëveldrif se agente roem hulle daarop dat hul gereelde voetspore op die plaas die resep is vir hul sukses van meer as vier dekades. Goeie, akkurate administrasie en vinnige aflewering van kwaliteitprodukte aan graanprodusente word fluks en flink deur die adminspan gelewer. Hoëveldrif is lid van Croplife Suid-Afrika en al die agente is AVCASA-geakkrediteerde lede om sodoende te verseker dat net geregistreerde produkte onder Wet 36 van 1947

aanbeveel word aan produsente. Hoëveldrif verskaf opleiding aan spuitoperateurs op die plase om sodoende foute met toediening tot ‘n minimum te beperk. Die agente span kom gereeld bymekaar om opleiding te ontvang rakende: Nuutste verwikkelinge en produkregistrasies; Veilige berging en aanwending van landbouchemikalieë; Verantwoordelike gebruik en bestuur van leë plaagbeheerhouers en afvalmateriaal; Nuwe biologiese en omgewingsvriendelike produkte.

Taylor Botha 0823883721 taylorbotha@lantic.net 44 jaar ondervinding in plaagbeheer

Kontak Hoëveldrif Chemikalieë by 0824628701/0728736926 of op Facebook “Hoëveldrif Chemikalieë Ogies” en enige boer se onkruid of ander peste en plae sal vinnig, vriendelik en doeltreffend opgelos word.

Christo Viljoen 0824628701 viljoenchris@mweb.co.za 19 jaar ondervinding in landbouplaagbeheer en oesbeskerming, industriële onkruidbeheer

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Promosie | Promotion

Maintaining the equilibrium within your grain silo Effective grain storage solutions help make your farm more profitable. Your grain harvest isn’t just another product. It’s the lifeblood of your farm operations that supports and sustains your farm’s productivity and profitability. A spoilt harvest can mean distressing times, and effective, well-maintained, and easily monitored, grain storage solutions are essential. Moisture is not the enemy Moisture levels within your grain silo or storage facility must be carefully monitored and maintained. Moreover, monitoring moisture levels throughout your grain production, handling, and storage processes, must remain a priority throughout. Adhering to the correct moisture, pressure, and temperature, conditions that are best for your crop and surrounding environment is key. Moisture is not the enemy – all grain needs a specific level of moisture to remain at an optimal condition. Managing your harvest Once your grain has made its way off the field and into storage, keeping the temperature, pressure and moisture levels just perfect for the crop is vital. That’s when grain handling and storage solutions are most important, as these systems must support your farm’s ability to maintain high productivity levels and prevent grain spoilage. Ensuring that your grain storage systems are effective and suitable is just the first step. The equilibrium chart for your specific crop can assist too. Equilibrium chart The equilibrium Chart for your specific crop outlines the most suitable moisture levels for your harvest, enabling you to cater for external environmental conditions too. Notably, however, you should also accommodate and plan for the full duration of your grain storage season, which may affect your grain

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storage systems. The Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) level outlines the exact point where your grain is neither losing, nor absorbing, moisture. For example, according to the North Dakota State University, there are differentiating safe moisture content levels allowed, varying across crops, environmental circumstances and storage duration. See the table below for more insight into optimal moisture content levels for grain in long and short-term storage situations. Aeration Effective and closely monitored aeration systems are a vital component of your grain storage system and adjusting these to ensure that the perfect Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) is maintained should be a priority. Selecting the right type of aeration system will help you to maintain moisture, temperature, oxygen levels, and ensure that harmful bacteria and fungi are kept at bay. Aeration moves air through stored grain, thereby helping to prevent grain spoilage and keeping the environmental conditions within your grain silo at optimal levels. Helping to maintain a cool temperature throughout the silo, aeration reduces the development of mould and prevents ‘hot spots’ from being created. Keeping that internal temperature uniform throughout your grain silo, while adjusting in accordance with changes within the external environment, will help to ensure that your stored grain

does not spoil. Grain spoilage At a global level, an astonishing 20% of all harvested grain is lost due to the proliferation of fungi and insects within its storage systems. Protecting your farm from being part of that statistic is key, not only for your agricultural success, but also for your future productivity. Preventing grain losses due to spoilage will improve your grain quality and enable your farm to grow in terms of profitability and productivity. Farming for your future The better you’re able to manage and maintain your grain harvest, the more your farm will be able to produce and continue growing. Being able to offer your customers a high-quality grain will, in turn, make your farm’s produce more attractive to new clientele, and ensuring your financial stability in the future. Ask an expert Creating and maintaining a grain storage system that works for your unique needs, and can be easily maintained, is very important. Partner with the people who put your farm’s interests at the heart of every decision. Get in touch with SBS Agri, and we’ll help you find the right solution that ensures every harvest is a great harvest.

Grain type

Long term storage (1 year)

Short term storage (30 to 60 days)

Corn

12%

12%

15%

Sorghum

12%

12%

15%

Rough Rice

12%

12%

14%

Soybean

11%

11%

14%

Wheat

12%

12%

14%

Warm temperature

Cool temperature

References: https://www.uaex.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-1074.pdf. http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension%C2%ADaben/documents/ae905.pdf https://www.sbsagri.co.za/selecting-the-correct-fans-and-fan-size-cfm-and-air-vents/ . http://grain-aeration.com/?p=51


wynwys

Edmund Terblanche, voorsitter van Shiraz SA en keldermeester van La Motte.

Shirazsneltrein

RY SAAM OP DIE

Cassie du Plessis

Shiraz ry deesdae op ʼn golf van gewildheid, nie net in Suid-Afrika nie, maar wêreldwyd. Dit is plaaslik ná Pinotage die kultivar wat in die afgelope ses jaar of wat die vinnigste aangeplant is en kenners meen dat dit in terme van area onder wingerd moontlik al vir “koning Cabernet” verbygesteek het. Volgens die jongste syfers lê dit algeheel in die vierde plek ná die wittes Chenin Blanc en Colombar, en dan Cabernet Sauvignon aan rooiwynkant. Internasionaal is totale Shiraz-aanplantings in die sesde plek, met Cab en Merlot wat onderskeidelik die meeste en naasmeeste* aangeplant is. Hierdie aanplantings in die vinnige baan is natuurlik te danke aan die dryfkrag van goeie verkope en goeie eenheidspryse wat gerealiseer word en wat op hul beurt weer uit goeie gehalte en karakter van die eindproduk spruit. Net jammer, glo ek, dat weens die 20% kleiner totale Suid-Afrikaanse wynoes vanjaar, uitsoekwyne se pryse taamlik sal styg – iets waaroor die bedryf ná baie maer jare en trae plaaslike verkoopsyfers seker nie sal kla nie.

Intussen betree die wynbedryf nou die dolle kompetisieseisoen, met die land se meer as 30 wynkompetisies van alle soorte en formate wat die een ná die ander ingeryg word om die vrug op die vroegjaar kelderwerk, te vertoon. Myns insiens is die horde kompetisies in ‘n groot mate ‘n geldmakery uit inskrywingsfooie eerder as goeie riglyne vir die verbruiker. Drie vroeë plaaslike kompetisies waarvan die resultate reeds bekend is, het sover die groeiende gehalte en status van Shiraz, ook genoem Syrah, bevestig. Uit die gesaghebbende Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2018 se nagenoeg 1 000 inskrywings was Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah 2015 aangewys as die beste rooiwyn op die skou, nadat dieselfde wyn se 2014-oesjaar hierdie titel verlede jaar losgeslaan het. Shiraz was met 106 inskrywings die grootste kategorie, gevolg deur Cabernet Sauvignon met 94 en hulle het onderskeidelik ses, die meeste per kategorie, en drie goue medaljes gekry uit die altesaam 40 wat toegeken is. In ‘n heel ander soort kompetisie, waar

die wyne meeding om ‘n lys van Top 100 SA Wyne uit vanjaar se 600 inskrywings te haal – deesdae genoem die National Wine Challenge – het Shiraz as kultivar die beste gevaar met 13 wyne wat dit gemaak het teenoor Cabernet Sauvignon se nege. Die grootste kategorie tussen hierdie 100 uitverkorenes was rooi versnitwyne. Die kersie op die koek vir produsente van hierdie groot kultivar van die noordelike Rhône – relatief ‘n warmer wyngebied soos groot dele van Suid-Afrika – is die gespesialiseerde Shiraz Challenge, vanjaar vir die sesde keer aangebied deur die sambreel-organisasie Shiraz SA. Drie top Shiraz-versnitwyne (met minstens 50% Shiraz as komponent) en 12 Shiraz-enkelkultivarwyne is deur sewe uitgelese beoordelaars uit 192 inskrywings aangewys en by ‘n spoggeleentheid in die Rhebok-restaurant net buite die Paarl bekendgemaak. Die wenversnitte is: Babylonstoren Babel 2016 Saronsberg Full Circle 2016 Spier Creative Block 3 2015.

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Die Top 12 in alfabetiese volgorde is: Alvi’s Drift Signature Shiraz 2016 Babylonstoren Shiraz 2016 Bloemendal Syrah 2013 Boschkloof Louis 57 Shiraz 2016 D’Aria The Soprano Shiraz 2016 De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2016 (enigste 1,5ℓ magnum wat ingeskryf is) Diemersfontein Shiraz 2017 Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2015 KWV Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2015 Oldenburg Vineyards Syrah 2014 Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2016 Wellington La Cave Shiraz 2016 Shiraz SA-voorstitter Edmund Terblanche, wynmaker van La Motte wat self ‘n stewige Shiraz-reputasie oor baie jare het, het uitgebrei oor die wynland se diversiteit wat verskillende style Shiraz na vore bring. “Die paneel se opdrag is om alle style te erken en te beoordeel in terme van intensiteit, kultivareienskappe en -suiwerheid, en verouderingspotensiaal. Die mikpunt is om 12 wyne met balans, integrasie en elegansie te identifiseer wat trots skouers kan skuur met internasionale wêreldklaswyne.” Terblanche het bekend gemaak dat die organisasie in Junie ‘n bakgat nuwe promosie van stapel sou stuur net na die aanvang van die jagseisoen, naamlik 7 Dae van Shiraz en Wildsvleis, van 11 - 17 Junie op 32 wynplase. Daardie dieprooi en vollyf weldadigheid en kenmerkende speserygeure van Shiraz pas mos ideaal by rooivleisgeregte, veral wildsvleis. “Ons is oorweldig deur die kreatiewe idees wat waarlik die vlag wapper vir die karakter van Shiraz en is baie gelukkig oor die groot deelname.” Wynliefhebbers kan dus uitsien na wildsbiltong-en-Shiraz-proeë, vyf- en sesgang-etes en uitpakborde waar wildsvleis en salige Shiraz “hande vat”. Die hoofgereg by die toekenningsfunksie was springbokskenkel met polenta, bedien met van verlede jaar se Shiraz-wenners. Die voorgereg van broccoli en bloukaas-sop is geniet met Sauvignon Blanc-wyne “omdat die gaste liewer nie Shiraz op ‘n leë maag moet drink nie,” het Terblanche geskerts. Top ses kultivar-aanplantings in Suid-Afrika in hektaar (2016): 1. Chenin Blanc 17 707 2. Colombar(d) 11 512 3. Cabernet Sauvignon 10 589 4. Shiraz 9 946 5. Sauvignon Blanc 9 246 6. Pinotage 7 052 Internasionaal (2017) 1. Cabernet Sauvignon 340 000 2. Merlot 266 000 3. Tempranillo 231 000 4. Airén 218 000 5. Chardonnay 211 000 6. Syrah 190 000 Sien meer oor 7 Dae van Shiraz en Wildsvleis by www.shirazsa.co.za. *Bronne van aanplantingstatistiek: Vinpro en www.forbes.com

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Stadig-gestoofde

springbokskenkel Resep: Caro Mönnig, uitvoerende sjef, Rhebokskloof Wynlandgoed Foto’s voorsien deur Shiraz SA

Metode:

Bestanddele: 3 eetlepels natuurlike olie 4 springbokskenkels 2 uie, opgekap 3 selderystokkies, opgekap 1 liter Shiraz 1 liter bief-aftreksel 125 ml moskonfyt 4 lourierblare 15 ml gemaalde kardemon 2 heel steranys-sade Sout en peper na smaak

Verwarm die olie in ʼn diep, swaar oondbestande kastrol en verbruin die skenkels liggies aan alle kante. Voeg die uie, seldery, wyn, aftreksel, moskonfyt, lourierblare, kardemon, steranys-sade, sout en peper by. Plaas deksel op en stowe in ʼn oond teen 160°C vir 4 - 6 uur totdat die vleis sag is en van die been afval. Bedien warm, met kapokaartappel, rys of polenta en groente, byvoorbeeld groen aspersies, geroosterde baba-beet en jus soos by die genoemde funksie gedoen is. Geniet met goeie Shiraz en proe hoe perfek daardie volronde, elegante rooiwyngeur met speserye die bokkie komplementeer.

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KI

Bewaar jou boerdery vir jou nageslag. Sanlam verstaan en respekteer hoe hard jy werk om jou boerdery op te bou. Ons weet ook dat swak beplanning kan veroorsaak dat jou boerdery jou nie oorleef nie. Sanlam kan jou help om jou nalatenskap vir toekomstige geslagte te bewaar. Want om dít te beskerm waarvoor jy jou lewe lank werk, is wat ons Welvaartmeesters™ maak.

Kontak ons Tel: 0860 100 539, sme@sanlam.co.za, www.sanlamsme.co.za

of gesels met jou finansiële tussenganger.

78 Sanlam is ’n Gelisensieerde Verskaffer van Finansiële Dienste.


Promosie | Promotion

Aftrede en opvolgbeplanning vir boere ’n Mens hoor soms die stelling dat boere nie aftree nie en gevolglik ook nie vir aftrede voorsiening hoef te maak nie. Maar is dit waar? Boere se omstandighede is nie dieselfde nie, en daarom moet elke boer sy eie omstandighede in ag neem om oor die geldigheid van hierdie stelling te besin. As ’n boer nie kinders het wat sy boerdery een of ander tyd gaan oorneem nie, sal hy heel waarskynlik besef dat sy gesondheid en/ of afnemende lewenskrag hom iewers in die toekoms gaan noop om op te hou boer. Wat dan? Verhuur of verkoop hy sy plaas? Sal die huur of verkoopprys genoeg wees om in sy finansiële behoeftes te voorsien? Sê nou daar is nie ’n huurder of koper op die tydstip wat die boer gedwing word om af te tree nie? Die boer het dalk ’n kind(ers) wat die boerdery by hom gaan oorneem. In so ’n geval is dit belangrik dat die wyse waarop hierdie oorname plaasvind, behoorlik deurdink word. Verkoop die boer sy plaas aan die kind(ers)? Indien meer as een kind betrokke is, op wie se naam word die plaas oorgedra? Watter belastingimplikasies het hierdie transaksie? Hoe gaan die transaksie gefinansier word? Dalk word die grond nie verkoop nie, maar neem die kind(ers) net die boerdery oor. Hoe werk die vergoeding aan die boer dan? Is daar ’n behoorlike kontrak tussen die boer en sy kind(ers)? Wat is die finansiële implikasies van hierdie transaksie? Sal die inkomste uit die plaas genoeg wees vir die

boer, sy kind(ers) en hulle gesin(ne)? Uit bogenoemde vrae is dit duidelik dat aftrede en opvolgbeplanning nie iets is wat kort voor die beplande aftrede gou-gou afgehandel kan word nie. Dit moet lank voor die tyd beplan word. Op dié wyse word verseker dat die regte strukture opgerig word, die nuwe boer toegerus word met die regte vaardighede en dat daar genoeg fondse beskikbaar is om aan die afgetrede boer ’n inkomste tydens sy aftrede te verskaf. Die toekoms in onseker. Huurders en kopers by aftrede, of finansiering vir die boer se kinders om die plaas te koop, is dalk nie beskikbaar nie. Boere kan hierdie onsekerhede vermy deur so vroeg as moontlik vir hulle spesifieke omstandighede te begin beplan en dan daardie planne in werking te stel. As ’n mens in ag neem dat die oordrag van die boerdery van een geslag na die volgende verreikende gevolge vir die hele familie inhou, is dit ’n aangeleentheid wat met groot sorg aangepak moet word. Heel moontlik beskik die boer en sy familie nie oor die kundigheid om alle vrae te beantwoord nie. Raadpleeg gerus kundige mense, maar onthou – dis jou rykdom en jou familie se toekoms wat hier ter sprake is, en daarom rus die finale verantwoordelikheid op jou. Geskryf deur: Adv. Kobus Engelbrecht Bemarkingshoof: Sanlam Besigheidsmark

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Uitspan op die Hollandse werf

Frikkie Kraamwinkel ©

Om vandag Hollandse burgerskap te verkry, moet jy Hollandse taalgeluide kan maak wat na herkenbare dinge verwys. Tewens, jy moet ook Hollandse taalgeluide wat jy hoor, kan herlei na die dinge waarop dit betrekking het. Toe ek en Louis Eksteen, en ‘n jaar later Stoffel Prinsloo, 60 jaar gelede ons voete op Hollandse platte aarde gesit het, was dit egter vir ons soos ‘n Wet van Mede en Perse dat ons so ver as die duiwel van die slypsteen van die Hollandse taal moes wegbly. Dit is ons dan ook gedurig sterk op die hart gedruk omdat ons onder meer transkripsieprogramme aan die SAUK verskaf het wat, soos Uitspan op die Hollandse Werf, oor die SAUK se senders uitgesaai is. En dit moes in suiwer Afrikaans gewees het. Met ons aankoms in Holland was die bevryding aan die einde van die Tweede Wêreldoorlog nog vars in die Hollanders se geheue. Daarom was dit ironies dat dit juis ons kennis van die Engelse taal was wat ons grootliks gehelp het met die vertalings van nuus en kommentaar, asook ander artikels wat

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ons uit Nederlands na Afrikaans moes doen. Want so kort ná die bevryding deur die Amerikaners en Engelse was dit in Herrysend Nederland nogal ‘n taamlike statussimbool as jy met ‘n paar goedgemikte Engelse woorde effens bokant die volksmassa kon uitstyg. Dit was veral interessant om Engelse woorde teë te kom wat sonder meer ‘n Hollandse klank gegee is – soos “fruit”, wat fruit (soos in uit) geword het, en “Marmite” wat Marmiete geword het, en “fabulous” wat fabuleus uitgedraai het en les bes “band” wat sommer platweg bend geraak het toe “pirates” in pirate (soos in grate) verander het. Vir ons Afrikaanse puriste was die onbevange vrye taalvermengingsmilieu waarin ons ná ‘n 24uur-vlug uit die Unie van Suid-Afrika met skroefvliegmasjiene aangekom het, ‘n des te meer vreemde verskynsel omdat Afrikaans en ander tale, soos dit destyds deur die SAUK uitgesaai is, sowel wat woordgebruik en uitspraak betref, so suiwer soos room was wat van die melk geskei is. Die Afrikaanse stryd teen anglisismes was hewig en ek herinner my nog baie


goed hoe Allewyn Lee, met pynlike korrektheid, elke stukkie musiek se titel in Afrikaans vertaal het voordat dit oor die Afrikaanse sender gelug kon word. Die SAUK was inderdaad ‘n anker en norm waaraan Afrikaans in alle opsigte as taal gemeet kon word. Jy het nie ‘n sweempie van ‘n Engelse taalgeluid oor die Afrikaanse sender gehoor nie. En ook nie andersom nie. Dit het ons egter nie ‘n dag in Holland geneem om agter te kom dat daar nog twee ander nie-amptelike woordelyste was waarvan ons kennis moes dra nie. Dit was doodgewone, goeie, onskuldige Afrikaanse woordjies wat enige Hollander soos ‘n slagveer laat regop spring het as jy dit gebruik het. Ewe-so was daar net sulke pragtige Hollandse woorde uit die plaaswerf wat Afrikaners soos weerlig getref het as dit in ‘n gesprek voorgekom het. Nodeloos om te sê het ons, kwansuis totaal onbewus van die trefkrag van hierdie woorde, dit net vir die opwinding in ons uitsendings ingegooi en veral Afrikaners, wat op besoek daar aangedoen het, met ‘n paar goed gekose Hollandse woorde na hulle asem laat snak. ‘n Mens kan jou net voorstel watter ravage van heb ik jou daar ons op die onskuldige katttekwaad-manier in die koppe van stoere Boere – tot groot vermaak van die skare – aangerig het! As ek vandag, uit my SAUK- en twee jaar Europese taalervaringsvlak, luister na wat deesdae as geradbraakte Afrikaans vryelik oor radio en televisie opgedis word, dan wil ek skat dat die vrees dat Afrikaans deur onderdrukking sal doodgaan minder waarskynlik is as dat Afrikaans veel eerder gevaar loop om onherkenbaar doodgepraat te word te oordeel aan wat deesdae as aanvaarde Afrikaans oor radio en televisie aangebied word. Dat Afrikaans destyds ná die Tweede Wêreldoorlog een van die nuwe Radio Nederland Wêreldomroep se eerste internasionale uitsendingstale geword het, was sprekend van die noue band wat die

Nederlanders nog met ons Boeremense aan die suidelike punt van Afrika gevoel het. In die kantoor van die Afrikaanse Afdeling, in ‘n tipiese Hollandse Herehuis van weleer op die hoek van die S’Gravelandsche Weg en die Steyn-laan – tegelyk in die omgewing van die De Wet-, Kruger- en Botha-lane – het daar dan ook in Totius se eie handskrif ‘n oorspronklik geraamde vers gehang wat hy met die aanvang van die Afrikaanse uitsendings in 1949 aan die Wêreldomroep gestuur het. Dit het gelees: Die sprokie is aan my vertel: wanneer die druiwetros weer swel onder die donker wingerdblad, dat dan die fyne wyn ook roer in ver verborge keldervat.

op die wêreld. Groot figure het daar verbygeloop. Charles de Gaulle, Harold Macmillan, Dwight Eisenhower en Nikita Chroestjof. Vandag is die Afrikaanse en ander stemme van Radio Nederland Wêreldomroep stil. Lankal onder die doofpot “vanwege de bezuinigingen” gesmoor. Al wat oorgebly het in Suid-Afrika is ‘n krimpende handjievol Afrikaanse omroepers van weleer. In verbeelding mag hulle nou nog teen sononder, wanneer die Afrikaanse uitsendings plaasgevind het, die weerklank van die kariljon met die roepklingel “Merk toch hoe sterk” van verweg oor die waters anderkant die dyke van die Laelande en verby Bergen op Zoom hoor aansweef. Sic transit gloria mundi!

‘n Fyn mistieke eenheidsband verbind Oranje, Nederland en Afrika, deur alles heen. Hoe ver die golwe ons al omspoel Die diepe hart sal altyd voel – ons is verborge – een. Die Wêreldomroep was vir Suid-Afrika ‘n unieke Afrikaanse taalvenster

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Pietman Roos Agri SA

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Die duiwel en ‘n baas is dieselfde in die sin dat ‘n mens veral versigtig moet wees as hulle jou nie meer pla nie – die saak is dan reeds verlore. Uit ervaring het ek geleer dat stilswye die mees effektiewe onderhandelingstrategie is, of dit nou met jou vrou of ‘n sakevennoot is wat stil raak. Die natuurlike reaksie is om te twyfel en diep oor jou sondes na te dink. Selfs die sondes waarvan die ander nie weet nie. In die openbare debat lei stilswye dikwels tot ongegronde hoop: “Die minister het só gewink en nie só beduie nie, wat duidelik beteken dat hy met ons saamstem” seg die kommentators van regoor die ideologiese spektrum. Op hede is president Ramaphosa nog in sy honeymoon met ‘n gros gematigde Suid-Afrikaners. Sy stilswye het grootliks daarmee te doen. Die stilswye uit die hoofkantoor, dreigende beleidsverandering en risiko van buitelandse fondse wat opdroog, herinner aan ‘n vroeër (maar beslis nie ‘n meer onskuldige nie) tyd in ons politieke geskiedenis. Op 2 Augustus 1985 het die destydse NP-kabinet die sogenaamde “Ou Sterrewag”-vergadering gehad waarin besluit is dat swart verteenwoordigers tot die kabinet verkies sal word en wat uiteraard ook uiteindelik tot die ontbanning van die ANC en ander sou lei. Die vergadering was twee dae nadat Chase Manhattan Bank die Suid-Afrikaanse regering laat weet het dat hy alle lenings wat verstryk onmiddellik terugbetaalbaar sal maak en dus geen verdere lenings sou toestaan nie. Hierdie nuus is egter eers op 15 Augustus geopenbaar. Buitelandse minister Pik Botha het ná die vergadering met verskeie staatshoofde en ambassadeurs geskakel en hul laat verstaan dat ‘n groot verandering op pad is. Daar is onder meer gesuggereer dat Nelson Mandela vrygelaat sou word, wat buitelandse regerings genoegsaam sou beïndruk om verdere sanksies te keer. In werklikheid was die berugte Rubikon-toespraak natuurlik ‘n kommunikasieramp en het dit die buitelandse siening van ‘n kwaai en onsimpatieke vingerswaaiende apartheidsregime verder ingeëts. Afgesien van werklike hervor-

mings wat aangekondig is, bly die toespraak en sy nadraai tot vandag onthou vir die Groot Krokodil wat die wêreld mooi laat verstaan het wat hy van demokratisering dink. Die ramp is toegeskryf aan die verskil tussen wat in komiteekamers wêreldwyd beloof is en die finale toespraak wat president PW Botha sy eie wou hou, aanvallige styl ingesluit. Op sy beurt het die verskil sy ontstaan gekry in PW Botha se stilswye tydens die aardverskuiwende vergadering. Die stilswye was verkeerdelik as instemming vertolk. Ná die toespraak was daar geen keer aan Chase Manhatten se besluit nie, wat moontlik afgeweer kon word. Ander banke het gevolg tot só ‘n mate dat Suid-Afrika gedwing is om die terugbetaling van buitelandse lenings te staak en dus sy kredietstatus erg seergemaak het. Die wisselkoers het skerp gedaal, kapitaal is grootskaals onttrek en verdere sanksies soos die Amerikaanse Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act is ingestel. Die Botha-regering het alle buitelandse geloofwaardigheid verloor. Landbou in Suid-Afrika, maar eintlik die hele Suid-Afrika, word weereens met ‘n Rubikon, in die vorm van onteiening sonder vergoeding, en ‘n minder-spraaksame president gekonfronteer. Ook het ons eensklaps van die dreigende kredietafgradering tot rommelstatus vergeet. Goed en wel dat die Februarie-begroting staatseffekte-beleggers kalmeer het, maar ons moet nog sien of die fiskus op ‘n gesonder baan is. So – kom gesels met ons, Meneer die President. Die landbougemeenskap verstaan daar is diepe seer agter die politieke mandaat wat ‘n mens nie net met ekonomiese argumente kan opklaar nie. Kom ons gesels oor oplossings. Die alternatief is stilswye en onsekerheid wat gaan uitloop op ‘n Rubikontoespraak wat definitief ‘n politieke groepering gaan kwaad maak en, nog erger, enige sprake van ‘n gesonde rainbow nation die nek inslaan. *Hermann Giliomee se Die Laaste Afrikanerleiers is deurgaans gebruik. Enige interpretasiefoute is geheel die skrywer s’n.


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