AgriBulletin_130201

Januarie 2013

Limpopo onder water

2

Januarie 2013

Mopani worms boost local economy Orlando Chauke While many unemployed people scrambled to get something to help them get by during the festive season, communities in Mopani and part of Vhembe where Mopani worms are found in abundance had something to help them put food on the table.

Those that had Mopani worms in their areas took the opportunity to make money by selling them off in the streets, after harvesting and drying them. The worms are currently available at R10 per cup in most areas…

50% percent lower than the normal market price of R20 during the off-season.

To many people it is a lucrative market, since the worms are available free and are do not perish.

“I don’t mind if they’re not sold today, because they’re not perishable… it’s a cheap product that can be stored until the

next season,” said Nelly Baloyi, a resident selling Mopani worms along the road at Dzumeri village to support her family.

The Kruger National Park allowed local communities between the Phalaborwa and Punda Maria Gates to harvest Mopani worms in the Park from 17 to 28 December.

Harvesters were allowed to handpick the worms from the trees, under the guidance and protection of Park rangers to ensure their safety.

Community Forums in the area identified community

is ’n publikasie van

Bulletin Redakteur: Jean Aucamp jean@bulletin.us.com Bemarker: Thinus van Deventer thinus@bulletin.us.com Crownstraat 8, Tzaneen, 0850 015 307 7248 015 307 7684 www.bulletin.us.com Drukker/Printer: PaarlColdset Laeveld Bulletin BK (Reg 2004/031396/23) is die uitgewer en verspreider van die Bulletin.

Lowveld Bulletin CC (Reg 2004/031396/23) is the publisher and distributor of Bulletin.

Copyright on advertisements, editorial material & photo’s reserved.

Kopiereg op advertensies, redaksionele inhoud & foto’s word voorbehou.

, skoue, n vergaderings Stuur datums va bl pu ikasie. n ons vir gratis ensovoorts, aa dakteur by Skryf aan die re .us.com jean@bulletin BEESVEILING RUBBERVALE elke maand: nderdag van Die eerste Do Rubbervale

Die boer bly op hoogte van sake met

members who they deemed fit to benefit from the project. Only people who had permits were allowed in the park to harvest the worms.

“The objective of the project is to provide some benefit to the poorest of the poor.

“We understand that most of the people in rural areas prefer Mopani worms as part of their daily meal.

“They provide a high-protein food source that is predominant in Southern Africa,” said KNP’s head of public relations and communications, Mr William Mabasa.

Kampioene kom wys lyf by Oever Boeredag Vertonigs, uitstallings, skou, parades, inligtingsessies, verkope en wat nog wag by vanjaar se Langs Die Oever Boeredag op die plaas van mnr Callie Erasmus van Letsitele.

Die organiseerder van die dag, mnr Riaan Barnard, sê kenners sal praatjies oor toepaslike onderwerpe lewer en voorste telers gaan hul beste diere kom vertoon.

Hy sê topgehalte wenners en kampioendiere sal gesien kan word, soos hoenders (beste gehalte pluimvee in Limpopo), skape (wit Dorpers, Dorpers, Pedi’s en Damera skape), bokke (boerbokke en Kalahari Red’s) en beeste (vyftien uitstallers, tien verskillend rasse,

vyftig haltermak op parade, veertig niehaltermak) asook perde (Friesperde sal vertoon word).

Verskeie topgehalte diere sal te koop aangebied word, direk van die eienaars wat daar gaan wees om met boere te gesels en mense in te lig oor die ingewikkelde prosesse wat die beste gehalte diere as resultaat het. Goeie raad sal beskikbaar wees.

Uitstallers wat belangstel om ‘n kiosk of ander uitstalruimte te bespreek, of wat op enige ander manier betrokke wil wees, moet skakel met Mirka (mirka@langsdieoever.com) of Riaan by 073 693 2969.

Veteraanfees weer vanjaar in Vaalwater LiN Nuus/Die Pos Die Vaalwater Veteraanfees word vanjaar vir Saterdag 28 September beplan.

Daar sal onder meer veteraantrekkers, -motors, -enjins en -motorfietse wees, plus allerhande ander interessante dinge op dié dag ten toon gestel word.

Lesers wat graag met hul ou voertuie wil spog, is ook baie welkom.

Volgens die organiseerders sal alle ondersteuning waardeer word en is enige voorstelle welkom. Kraampies sal vir die fees beskikbaar wees, asook kampeergeriewe op die terrein.

Die organiseerders vra ook vir hulp

met die demonstrasies van ou gebruike soos sweepvlegkuns, kerse maak, seep kook of enige ander geheime familie -aanleg. Die gedagte is om idees aan ons nageslag oor te dra. “Laat die erwe van ons vadere vir ons kinders erwe bly,” sê mnr Eugene Smalberger, een van die organiseerders.

Volgens Smalberger het die museum op Vaalwater intussen ook heelwat vergroot en heelwat nuwe interessanthede bygekry. Vir meer inligting, stuur ’n e-pos na eugene_botha@msn.com of vind hulle onder “Vaalwater Rivier Oord” op Facebook.

3

Januarie 2013

Anarchy in the Western Cape —

the story behind the story!

Christo van der Rheede The current upheavals in the agricultural sector in the Western Cape caught everyone by surprise.

Not even the unions were aware of what was already a volatile situation. Its leadership only jumped on the bandwagon once the mass action was already under way in De Doorns.

What few people know is that similar circumstances which fuelled the upheavals at Marikana prevailed in De Doorns. It was a time bomb waiting to explode.

What are the similarities?

Like in Marikana and other mining towns, every year thousands of people migrate to the Western Cape in the hope of finding employment. Many fall victim to ruthless recruitment agents who promise them temporary employment on farms or in other sectors in return for a sum of money, sometimes as much as R3000.

In addition, accommodation in one of the many informal settlements in towns in the Boland is anything but free. In these areas land is controlled by self-appointed agents allotting plots to new arrivals. For the privilege of erecting a corrugated iron structure on one of the plots, many have to forfeit a sizeable portion of their monthly income to these self-appointed agents.

I call them land smugglers, because in many instances this is not the only unlawful activity they are involved in. They are also often the shebeen owners who smuggle with everything from alcohol to drugs. For those who do not have cash to buy a beer, cigarette or a joint, there is always the option of buying on credit.

However, be aware. Buying on credit is not only expensive, but often results in violent encounters. Interest is charged and if the outstanding debt is not settled in time physical assault by guards employed by she-

been owners is on the cards.

Another very ‘appealing’ option is also available and that is to visit one of the many unregistered micro loan providers who offer money on condition that the borrower hands his or her bank card and ID over as collateral until such time as the loan is fully repaid. The standard practice is that the micro loan provider accompanies the “client” to the nearest ATM as soon as the latter’s salary is paid in to ensure that he gets his money. Often exorbitant interest rates are charged leaving the borrower no other option than to borrow again and again.

Add to this expense for groceries, transport, and other family obligations, then it becomes clear why these workers struggle to make ends meet.

A report released by Unisa’s Bureau for Market Research indicates that the majority of workers suffer from an enormous burden of debt. In some cases workers have so many debit orders against their salary that after deductions there is no money left for personal use.

How humiliating it must be for a father or mother to go to work every day and yet not have any money available to buy food or to fulfil other household obligations. Many people are confronted with the reality of having no money and being trapped in dire socio-economic circumstances that offer no hope for a better life.

Thus frustration, despair and aggression are mounting until it explodes.

It is no wonder, therefore, they are so easily mobilised by radical elements and become embroiled in illegal strikes without thinking about the implications of their actions. All reason disappears like mist before the sun and violent and criminal behaviour becomes the order

of the day. Not to mention the irrational statements that they would never have uttered under normal circumstances. Some of the striking workers make it clear that they do not care whether the fruit on the trees rot or farms are completely ruined, as, according to them, farmers are responsible for the predicament they are in. Hence, farmers must suffer for their unwillingness to agree to a wage increase.

Regarding the latter there is general consensus that farm workers’ wages should be increased. Thank God that in some instances agreements had already been reached between some farm owners and their workers.

The questions I ask will a wage increase stop the labour unrest. The answer, perhaps! Many of them desperately want to work but are intimidated and threatened; therefore the sooner farmers and workers can come to a wage agreement the better. However, will it help them to get out of the terrible debt trap and the poor socio-economic circumstances that many are trapped in? No! This is the challenge, not only for the agricultural community, but for the state, the business sector and the broader public who depend on the farming community for their daily food. Solving it is however not insurmountable provided that all role-players are serious about improving the lot of the farm workers and ensuring that farming remains economically viable.

Introducing a plan of action consisting of measures to prevent the exploitation of workers by ruthless and illegal recruitment agents, land smugglers, shebeen owners and micro loan providers will be a good start.

The police, state agencies such as the Department of Social Services, Labour and Health must also fulfill their respective roles effectively.

— continued on pg 5

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Januarie 2013

Vloed het Kruger erg verniel Twee gesinne van Tzaneen — mnr Willem van Rensburg en sy vrou en mnr Theo Behrens en sy vrou en twee kinders — het by Zhingwedzi, een van die KNP se groot kampe, gekuier, toe die groot reën en vloedwaters die park getref het.

Die meegaande foto’s van die omgewing om Zhingwedzi en die Leta-barivier in vloed (die brugfoto’s is op die pad van die Letabakamp) is deur Van Rensburg en Behrens geneem en goedgunstiglik aan die Bulletin verskaf.

Intussen is die skade wat boere op talle plekke in Limpopo gely het, omvan-

gryk. Die hoof- uitvoerende beampte van AgriLimpopo, mnr Dries Enslin, was ongelukkig die afgelope week so besig met opnames oor skade op landbougebied, Nersa se sittings oor die hoër elektrisiteitstariewe, die geveg om minimum lone vir plaaswerkers en ander dringende landbousake dat hy nie sy gereelde bydrae vir die AgriBulletin kon lewer nie — en ons ook nie vir ‘n diepte-onderhoud te woord kon staan nie.

Ons sal mettertyd met hom skakel, om te hoor wat AgriLimpopo oor die toedrag van sake te sê het.

hou die boer ingelig

ons loitilleccuave hich crethat who no cted elty arm uys. cate rms 51, 011. r of ects ring atd to the ans fied rmare durmber y be ater ness fact rmnse ose SA. sure ar-

5

Januarie 2013

Game farmers take stock at congress Developments in the fast moving wildlife industry and challenges facing game farmers will be discussed at Wildlife Ranching SA’s congress, which will be held at Castle de Wildt near Modimolle from 10 to 12 April.

The programme for the congress is as follows: 10 April: WRSA AGM, Meeting of of Board of Directors, President’s Council and special group discussions, ended by demonstrations and skills building.

11 April: Presentation by experts, panel discussions, practical presentations and a bush braai.

12 April: Ppresentations by experts, panel discussions, practical demonstrations and poster presentations, capped by a gala dinner at which the Game Rancher of the Year 2012 prestige awards will be awarded.

During the three days there will also be industry exhibitions of various products and services for the wildlife industry. Presentations will focus on solutions to the numerous challenges, which the wildlife industry faces: • Support for the game industry from government and other entities • Sustainability of the industry from a

global perspective • Immobilisation of game during emergencies (M99) • Land reform • Permits for the transport and translocation of game • Role of technology and research towards the next decade • Rhinoceros protection and the legal trade in rhino horn • Parasite infestation in wildlife and the management thereof • Game farm economics • Sound breeding practices WRSA’s 2013 congress will set the scene for future meetings of the wildlife industry in SA. All game farmers and parties interested in the wildlife industry are welcome to attend the congress.

General enquiries: Cobus du Toit 012 335 6994 or office@wrsa.co.za, or Anita Barnard 083 449 6733 or marketing@wrsa.co.za.

Registration: Lisa Uys 012 335 6994 or admin@wrsa.co.za.

Exhibition: Robert Walker 082 550 0162 or robert@ceprojects.co.za.

Accommodation: Hestie Crous 056 212 7047 or hestiecb@mweb.co.za.

More farm attacks expected TAU SA is concerned that the strike in the agricultural sector, together with revolutionary phrases like “The war on land is coming soon,” may result in increased incidents of violent crime on farms.

Mr Henry Geldenhuys, TAU SA’s Deputy President and chairman of the security committee, said it seems as if more employees or former employees are involved in attacks on farmers lately.

— continued on pg 8

Wildboere se reëls vir jagters Elke wildplaaseienaar behoort ‘n afskrif van die plaas se jagreëls aan besoekende jagters te gee, verkieslik gedruk op die agterkant van sy/haar jagtoestemmingsbrief, asook ‘n kaart van die plaas, beveel Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) aan.

Dié konsep-jagreëls is deur ‘n werkkomitee van die destydse SAWO (vandag WRSA), SA Jagters- en wildbewaringvereniging (SAJWV) en PHASA saamgestel. Die aard van trofeejag wat deur PHASA-lede met buitelandse kliënte bedryf word, verskil van dié van binnelandse jagters, maar die basiese beginsels van etiese jag geld vir albei.

Die benutting van oorskotwild is ‘n noodsaaklike aksie op ‘n wildplaas en dit help die wildplaaseienaar om sy wildstapel te beheer. Jagreëls is nie bloot daarop gemik om die jagter aan bande te lê nie, maar eerder om te verseker dat die jag voldoen aan die breë bestuursbeleid van die wildplaaseienaar.

Jagreëls verseker dat die benutting- aksie doeltreffend uitgevoer word en dien as kommunikasiekanaal tussen die wildplaaseienaar en die jagter om sy regte en voorregte tydens die jagtog te bepaal.

Primêr dien jagreëls om te verseker dat

die jag eties geskied en dié reëls behoort vir alle plase te geld.

Tweedens bepaal die jagreëls die regte en voorregte van die jagters, wat ook in die algemeen eenstemmig op alle plase geld, wat die wildplaaseienaar verplig om aan die bepaalde norme en standaarde te voldoen.

Die geriewe en dienste van wildplase sal verskil, wat meebring dat die jagreëls van plaas tot plaas hieroor sal verskil. ‘n Jagter moet na ‘n studie van ‘n besondere wildplaas se jagreëls kan bepaal of die voorwaardes hom pas. Wildboere behoort hul jagreëls voor die bevestiging van die bespreking reeds aan jagters beskikbaar te stel.

Die reëls behoort ook op ‘n kennisgewingbord in die jagkamp opgeplak te wees, sodat dit deurlopend tot die jagters se beskikking is.

Dié poging om ‘n stel konsep-jagreëls op te stel wat die etiek van die jag reguleer, moenie as die Alfa en die Omega beskou word nie, maar dit behoort as riglyne vir wildboere en jagters te dien. Wildboere kan hul eie jagreëls op dié konsepriglyne grond.

Eenvormige jagreëls kan van die SAWJV verkry word.

Anarchy in the Western Cape — from pg 3 Strong emphasis must also be placed on the provision of quality education, medical services, housing and other development programs.

The most important element of such a plan, however, is to bring about economic development everywhere in the country. If South Africa could do this successfully, it would lead to employment

opportunities and wealth creation in those poverty stricken areas from which people migrate in such vast numbers.

This is what government, unions and communities should strive for. Not destroying existing profitable agricultural, mining or other business sectors, but taking care of it in order to grow it and duplicate success stories in other parts of the country!

6

Januarie 2013

Wildboere maak rug styf vir Veterinêre Raad Wildboere gaan voort met regsaksie teen die SA Veterinêre Raad (SAVR) om ‘n reël te verander wat hulle verhinder om hul eie diere in noodsituasies met geskeduleerde susmiddels te verdoof.

Dié beperking, wat die SAVR op 8 Junie 2012 in werking gestel het, het grootskeepse frustasie onder wildboere veroorsaak wat al dekades lank self hul diere verdoof, sonder enige probleme, ongelukke of regsimplikasies.

Die immobilisering en verdowing van wild is ‘n baie belangrike aspek van wildbestuur en stel boere in staat om diere waar nodig veilig te verdoof, te vang, te verskuif en te behandel.

Anders as gewone vee, soos beeste en skape, kan wild nie met konvensionele toerusting gevang word nie, omdat hulle bloot te wild en dit te gevaarlik is.

Wildboerdery is ‘n hoogs gespesialiseerde bedryf waar die waarde van individuele diere miljoene rand beloop.

Wildbedryf Suid-Afrika (WRSA), wat sowat 10 000 wildboere in Suid-Afrika verteenwoordig, het die SAVR in Desember ontmoet, om hulle weer te probeer oortuig om hierdie reël, wat slegs gemagtigde veeartse toelaat om die verdowingsmiddel te gebruik, te wysig of totaal te skrap.

WRSA het voorstelle gedoen vir behoorlike opleiding en streng beheer van boere, sodat hulle hul eie diere op hul eie eiendom mag verdoof. SAVR het egter die voorstel sonder enige verduideliking verwerp.

WRSA hou vol dat hulle nie voorskriftelik is nie, maar doen ‘n beroep op die SAVR om ‘n oplossing te vind wat vir albei partye aanvaarbaar sal wees.

Die SAVR was egter ongenaakbaar in hul houding teenoor die wildboere, en het gesê WRSA moet sy regsaksie heeltemal laat vaar, voordat die Raad dit enigsins sal oorweeg om deel te neem aan ‘n taakspan — soos voorgestel deur WRSA — om ‘n aanvaarbare oplossing te probeer vind.

WRSA het sedert 2010 die SAVR verskeie kere hieroor ontmoet en is nie voornemens om die regasksie teen die SAVR te laat vaar nie. WRSA se president, dr Gert Dry, sê die vereniging is baie teleurgesteld oor die SAVR se houding teenoor wildboere.

“Wildboere en veeartse het nog altyd goed oor die weg gekom. Ons het mekaar nodig. Die Raad se totale minagting van die welsyn van ons diere en hul gebrek aan begrip vir die uitdagings waarmee wildboere daagliks te kampe het, is eenvoudig verstommend,” sê Dry.

Die meeste wildplase is in afgeleë gebiede wat dit baie moeilik maak vir wildveeartse om binne ‘n redelike tyd tot ‘n dier se redding te kom, wanneer ‘n noodsituasie ontstaan. Dit is algemene kennis dat daar nie naastenby genoeg veeartse — veral ervare wildveeartse — is om in die landbousektor se behoeftes te voorsien nie.

Wildboere is meer as gewillig om opleiding te ondergaan in die veilige en verantwoordelike gebruik van doofmiddels. Hulle het die SAVR reeds in 2009 versoek om ‘n opleidingsmodule te ontwikkel. Die SAVR het destyds belowe dat hulle voor die einde van 2010 ‘n kursus gereed sou hê, maar dit het nie gebeur nie.

Dry sê WRSA se deur staan oop vir verdere gesprekke met die SAVR. “Die wildbedryf brei in ‘n geweldige tempo uit. Die SAVR het duidelik nie tred gehou met die ontwikkeling van dié R8 miljard per jaar bedryf nie. Suid-Afrika is die wêreldleier in die wildbedryf, maar ons regulasies skiet ver te kort vir voedselsekuriteit, toerisme en werkgeleenthede om voordeel hieruit te trek.

“Ons kan net bly hoop dat die werklikheid tot die SAVR sal deurdring. Intussen gaan ons voort met ons regsaksie,” sê Dry.

And who could this farmer be?

Read about him on page 9

7

Januarie 2013

Die verkoop van onvolwasse avokado’s is verbode

LANGS LANGS DIE OEVER DIE OEVER 20132013 ALL RIGHTS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED RESERVED

Die verkoop van onvolwasse avokado’s (wat nie behoorlik ryp word nie) is nou verbode in terme van die Wet op Lanbouprodukstandaarde.

Inspekteurs van die departement van landbou, bosbou en visserye (DAFF) sal avokadovolwassenheid van vroeg in die seisoen op die markte begin toets.

As onvolwasse avo’s gevind word, sal die verkoop die die vrugte verbied word.

In die verlede is onvolwasse avokado’s wat deur die inspekteurs gevind is, afgegradeer na “laagste graad”, maar dit kon nog steeds verkoop word. In 2013 sal onvolwasse vrugte verwyder en vernietig moet word. Avokadoprodusente word aangeraai om seker te maak dat hul vrugte voldoen aan die vereiste volwassenheidstandaard, voor dit gepluk word.

Vir die kultivar Fuerte moet die vrugte se voginhoud 80% of minder wees. Betroubare avokadopakhuise is almal in staat om die vereiste volwassenheidstoetse uit te voer. DAFF se inspekteurs sal avokadovolwassenheid op die Nasionale Varsproduktemarkte kontroleer. Daarom moet produsente seker maak dat hul vrugte aan die nodige vereistes voldoen, voor dat hulle oes, en sodoende nie die risiko loop dat hul vrugte vernietig gaan word nie.

Die vraag op baie mense se lippe is wat gedoen gaan/ kan word aan die hoë diefstal van onvolwasse vrugte (nie net avo’s) nie, wat in mark deur smouse aan die onwetende publiek verkoop word.

Vir verdere inligting oor die volwassenheidsbepa-lings, kontak die Subtropiese Kwekersvereniging (Subtrop) by 015 307 3676.

Jagtogte per koloniale stoomtrein herleef Teen die “geringe” koste van R112 000 kan ‘n man agt dae op ‘n weeldetrein deurbring en vyf dae lank jag, met jou eie persoonlike beroepsjagter om jou te begelei.

Jy kan selfs jou metgesel saam neem, teen ‘n “winskoop” van R84 000, mits sy nie jag nie.

Dié nuwigheid is deur Rovos se unieke The Pride of Africa-trein, waarop vanjaar twee sulke toere aangebied word: die eerste van 31 Mei tot 7 Junie en die tweede van 17 tot 24 September.

Dié weeldetrein stoom deur baie geskiedkundige gebiede: die Kalahari, die diamantmyngebied van Kimberley en die graan- en mielielande van die Motheo-streek en Bloemfontein.

Tipiese wild in die gebiede is springbokke, blesbokke, rooibokke, koedoes, rooihartbeeste, swarten blouwildebeeste, elande en vlakvarke en ook in enkele gebiede Kaapse buffels, leeus en witrenosters.

Die Rovos-trein is gerestoureer tot die goue eeu van koloniale stoomtreinreise en daar is plek vir tot 24 mense. Elke gas het ‘n weelderige suite. Viergangmaaltye word bedien, met uitsoek SA wyn.

Die trein se 1920-styl is aangevul met moderne geriewe soos lugversorging, De Luxe- en Royal suites (elk met sy eie ruim badkamer),‘n historiese eetsalon en ‘n sjarmante observasiewa met ‘n kroeg. Die trein reis hoofsaaklik snags deur wildernisgebiede. Dit word elke oggend op ‘n ander spoorsylyn geparkeer, naby uitsoek-jaggebiede en/of toeriste-aantrekkingskragte.

Die trein het twintig waens en spog glo met die ruimste trein-suites in die wêreld.

Met gepoleerde houtpanele en Edwardiaanse eienskappe, kan elke suite twee mense neem, met ‘n keuse tussen enkel- of dubbelbeddens.

Die vier Royal suites spog elk met ‘n eie sitkamer en het ‘n volle en-suite badkamer met ‘n stortbad en ‘n Victoriaanse bad.

Jagters sal elke dag na ontbyt hul jong beroepsjagters ontmoet en daarna na ‘n herberg terugkeer vir midagete.

Daarna is dit weer jagveld toe, voordat die trein vir aandete gehaal word.

Daar word ook dagprogramme vir nie-jagters gereël – lesings, besoeke aan museums en kunsgalerye en wildbesigtiging.

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8

Januarie 2013

More farm attacks expected “Unfounded accusations blaming farmers exploiting their employees, illegal evictions or the accusation that farmers have stolen the land to which they hold title deeds, creates a perception that farmers are criminals who need to be shown no mercy. This is is reflected in the extreme cruelty which characterizes farm attacks,” said Geldenhuys.

TAU SA’s statistics indicate that murders on farms during 2012 stood at 51, compared to 52 in 2011.

“However, the number of attacks on farms reflects a drastic increase. During 2012 the number of attacks on farms increased to 141, compared with 85 the previous year. This means that there is an intensified onslaught against farmers. The fact that there are fewer fatal accidents during the increased number of attacks can probably be attributed to the greater degree of preparedness of farmers, and the fact that more and more farmers attend self-defense courses similar to those presented by TAU SA. “Farmers need to ensure that their security arrange-

— from page 5

ments are in place,” Geldenhuys warned.

“Cosatu has indicated that a war on land is looming, and as farmers are forced to lay off workers, a strong possibility exists that they could be targeted by former employees, as this has been evident in several of the recent incidents. Those former workers know exactly how the security system works, what the farmers’ movements are and where the weak points are. Therefore farmers should re-evaluate their safety systems, regardless of whether they currently feel that their precautions are effective,” said Geldenhuys.

He also called on farmers and their families to attend self-defense training for the sake of their own safety.

TAU SA could assist with such training.

“The police are reluctant to talk with TAU SA about the problem. More than a year ago they were invited to participate in urgent discussions to seek solutions, but no response to the invites was forthcoming. Therefore, we have no choice but to accept responsibility for our own safety,” said Geldenhuys.

Boere kan nie prysnemers op grond ook word nie Boere moet al tevrede wees om net te aanvaar wat hulle vir hul produkte kry, omdat hulle nie self die pryse daarvoor kan bepaal nie.

Nou gaan van boere verwag word om nog prysnemers op hul grond ook te wees! Dit is onaanvaarbaar en sal deur TLU SA met alles tot sy beskikking teengestaan word.

So sê die president van TLU SA, mnr Louis Meintjes, na aanleiding daarvan dat TLU SA oorval word met oproepe van ontstoke boere oor pres Jacob Zuma se 8 Januarie-toespraak, waarin hy gesê het dat grondhervorming moet versnel en dat die gewillige koper, gewillige verkoper-beginsel uitgedien is.

“TLU SA is bekommerd oor die feit dat die regering hom geheel en al blind hou vir die mislukkings van sy grondhervormingsprogramme tot dusver, en dat hy hom doof hou vir pleidooie dat grond nie ’n emosionele kwessie gemaak moet word nie, maar deel moet bly van ’n gesonde ekonomie ten einde aan die steeds hoër wordende eise van voedselsekerheid te voldoen,” sê Meintjes.

“Dit is onverantwoordelik om ’n suksesvolle ekonomiese sektor, soos landbou, op te breek terwyl die Staat self enorme hoeveelhede grond besit wat ongebruik lê.

Voordat die regering vingers na boere kan wys, behoort hy eers sy eie huis in orde te kry en self die voorbeeld te stel. Hy moet die grond in sy besit onverwyld beskikbaar stel vir opkomende boere, terwyl kommersiële boere met rus gelaat moet word in hul taak om die land van voedsel te voorsien.

“Grondhervorming as ’n politieke model sal die land in soortgelyke ellende dompel as Zimbabwe, en sal deur TLU SA met hand en tand beveg word. Waar boere wel om een of ander rede grond sou verkoop, behoort hulle die prys wat die vrye mark aanbied daarvoor te kry, sonder inmenging van die staat of ’n WaardeerderGeneraal,” sê Meintjes.

TLU SA Noord kry nuwe streekbestuurder Mnr Nic Haarhoff, ‘n ou bekende in die onderwys, is as nuwe streekbestuurder vir TLU SA Noord aangestel.

Hy het op 14 Januarie diens aanvaar. Haarhoff kom hoofsaaklik uit ‘n onderwysagtergrond en was vanaf 2008 tot 2012 die hoof van die CVO Skool op Vivo.

Mnr Stephen Hoffman, die voorsitter van TLU SA Noord, sê dat me Wilma Prinsloo reeds vir die afgelope meer as twee jaar as streekbestuurder waargeneem het, maar dat die werklading en uitdagings vir landbou noodsaak dat ‘n permanente persoon bykomend aangestel moes word.

Haarhoff sal by Vivo gestasioneer wees, maar die streekkantoor van TLU SA Noord is steeds in Polokwane. Die kontakbesonderhede is: Goudstraat 66, Telefoonnommer 015 293 9804, Faksommer 0866 180 781 en e-posadres wilma@ntlu.co.za.

Hoffman sê hy hoop en verwag dat die aanstelling van Haarhoff net tot voordeel van die organisasie sal wees en hy nooi al die lede om met Haarhoff oor enige probleem te skakel. Sy kontakbesonderhede is: Tel: 071 604 6150 en e-pos nicntlu@gmail.com.

9

Januarie 2013

Malema embraces his inner boer Eve Fairbanks Malema has developed the disease familiar to every Karoo boertjie: the longing for die ou plaas, unquenchable even in the loveliest of other places.

We were in the lap of luxury. Hushed waiters in silk vests padded around us, offering passion-fruit lemonade and rack of lamb; the noise of a rock fountain tinkled sweetly in through the open window; white table linens caressed our fingers; orchids wafted their warm vanilla-y scent from blown-glass decanters on every table. But Julius Malema was unhappy.

He has developed the disease familiar to every Karoo boertjie (farmer): the longing for die ou plaas (the old farm), unquenchable even in the loveliest of other places.

“Jo’burg is not my favourite place,” he told me, toying forlornly with his white BlackBerry, which did not ring. “I like it on the farm. It’s very nice. It’s cool and quiet.” He brightened. “On the farm, we sit under the tree there, and there is nobody to judge you. Fighting with workers the whole day: ‘Hey! Do this!’”

He chuckled, brighter yet. “And they’ll laugh at you sometimes: ‘He’s going like God!’ We enjoy that. I love walking up there by the cabbages and tomatoes and seeing them growing. That, to me, is an excitement.”

I had arranged to meet Malema at a Sandton boutique hotel, the Marion on Nicol, to talk economic freedom in our lifetimes. We only started talking about farming after Moeletsi Mbeki stopped by our table.

“I was so proud of your vegetable garden!” he said. He said he had seen it in the Sunday papers.

Incisive “My mother used to make us grow cabbage and carrots...

So I thought: ‘This guy knows something!’” Malema beamed.

During the past year of strikes, Malema’s critique of the ANC’s failure to deliver on its implicit promise to put the poor first has become refined, intelligent, even incisive.

“You fight for the increase of salaries, but then in the board meetings you are told that it is going to eat up your dividends. You can’t be two things at the same time. Once you make a lot of money, you use your money to think.”

But the barbs were delivered without relish. Only when we began to speak of farming did he channel the passion he once poured into renditions of Dubula iBhunu (Shoot the Boer). “I developed an absolute love for it,” he said.

“The farm labourers are ordinary people. There are no egos there, nothing.”

Malema began planting cabbages and tomatoes — which he claimed he sells on the side of the road — in December, on a plot between Polokwane and Dendron. He wishes to expand into Venda. He has become something of an expert on Limpopo’s terroir.

“In Polokwane you can only grow tomatoes in summer.

But in Venda, because of the weather, you can do it both summer and winter.”

I initially doubted whether Malema really farmed, because so many businesspeople-farmers visit their plots once a month at best and delegate. But he has already picked up two of the devoted farmer’s dead giveaways: a religious relationship with the skies and a tendency to speak of his plants as though they are people. “There hasn’t been rain!” he lamented. Just after New Year’s, he sat on his farm for two weeks waiting, waiting for rain, watching fat, nourishing rain clouds douse Polokwane and wringing his hands that they never seemed to move a bit east to bless his farm. “And you know, it pains you. You’re praying!”

Regenerative power The countryside has long been believed to hold regenerative power for those wearied or corrupted by the city.

But Malema seems torn between the rural life and his previous lives as an ANC bigwig and a city-slicker businessman.

When I asked him what his ambitions for future leadership were, he broke into a belly laugh and answered: “My ambition is be a member of the ANC. Then you can have other ambitions” – despite his contention a half-hour earlier that certain top party leaders had “sold their souls” to “white monopoly capital”. He said his enigmatic business ventures would also continue.

“A man has to eat,” he said, a little incongruously for someone saying why he cannot devote his time to working on a farm. “When they say life goes on after being expelled from the ANC, you have to hustle. You can’t hustle on the farm.”

Fully embracing the business side of farming may elude him, too, because of his politics. We spoke of a friend of mine, a powerful established farmer not far from Malema in Limpopo, who could instantly flesh out his expertise and connect him with commercial markets. “You must send me the contacts of this guy who knows everybody,” he said. Then he paused. “Is he a black guy?”

Last week, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) took steps to resolve Malema’s inner conflict by announcing it would try to attach his farm to offset his R16-million tax bill.

It was a bitter irony for a man who once called for the mass expropriation of white farms – to be expropriated himself.

Mythic narrative Indeed, in the course of about four weeks, Malema lived through the entire 300-year mythic narrative arc of the South African boer: Retreat from familiar homeland owing to political persecution. Set up a farm. Fall in love with

the soil. Then face the threat of being “reformed” right off your property.

Reaching him on the phone after our meeting at the Marion, I asked whether he had any new sympathy for the South African boers, given his experience.

“No,” he said bluntly. But he sounded just as stubborn as any khaki-clad bittereinder (Boer guerilla fighters who stubbornly resisted the British soldiers during the South African War) as he discussed his options in the wake of the Sars announcement.

“Farming will never be stopped. Even if I must continue with another farm. Farming is forever.”

• Eve Fairbanks is a foreign correspondent working for a number of publications and news agencies. She visits Tzaneen (and the Bulletin) regularly and she has a rather good understanding and knowledge of SA politics; and even more so when it comes to Limpopo’s political struggles.

10

Januarie 2013

Reën: meer seën as skade gebring Retha Nel Vir boere van die Tzaneen-omgewing het die swaar reën tussen 14 en 21 Januarie meer seën as skade tot gevolg gehad.

Boere het ‘n droë seisoen verwag en alhoewel daar skade aan paaie en damme is, is baie damme vol genoeg om die seisoen te hou.

Sitrusboere in die Letsitele-omgewing is bly dat hul damme vol is, maar sukkel nou om trekkers by en in die boorde te kry.

Mnr Piet Smit van Bosveld Sitrus sê dat hulle nie skade aan vrugte weens die reën het nie. Hulle is, inteendeel, bly oor die reën, omdat dit ‘n positiewe uitwerking op die vruggroote gaan hê. Lemoene word eers van Mei af ge-oes, dus het die lemoene nog tyd om uit te swel.

Verskeie boere het egter sonbrandskade aan die vrugte van jong en veral ook ou pomelo-bome ervaar, as gevolg van die paar geweldige warm dae voor die reën.

Volgens mnr Braam Snijder van Afrupro — uitvoerders van avokado’s, lietsjies en turksvye — was daar skade aan lietsjies in die omgewing, maar veel minder as in ander vloedgeteisterde gebiede. Haelskade vroeër in die seisoen het egter die uitpakgetalle op lietsjies baie beïnvloed. Boere het ook heelwat vrugbrand-skade ervaar. Dit beteken dat veel minder lietsjies vir uitvoer gepak word.

Mnr Gerhard Nortjé, die tegniese bestuurder van die SA Subtropical Growers’ Association (Subtrop), sê dat daar by hul lede geen avo’s of makadamias beskadig is nie. Daar is egter skade aan die paaie, wat beteken dat

boere nie by boorde kan kom om vir siektes te spuit nie.

Die nat grond veroorsaak ook dat boere wat nie voor die reën vir wortelvrot gespuit het nie, nou ‘n probleem het, omdat bome nog vir ‘n paar dae in nat grond gaan staan. Die nat weer het ook gekeer dat boere vir swartvlek kon spuit en moet hulle nou vinnig spring om dit te keer.

Die goeie nuus is egter dat die plukseisoen vir avokado’s (begin Februarie vir Venda en Levhubu) normaalweg sal kan voorgaan, aangesien die grond teen daardie tyd droog sal wees.

Nortjé noem ook dat hulle baie bly is oor die reën, omdat dit damme gevul het. Volgens hom is veral boere van die Levhubu- en Soutpansberg-gebiede gelukkig omdat hulle probleme soos watertekorte ervaar het.

Die volgende uitgawe van AgriBulletin sal in die hoofkoerant van Vrydag 1 Maart 2013 verskyn Besoek ons webwerf by www.bulletin.us.com vir meer inligting oor komende sport-, kultuur-, skool-, kerk- en sosiale geleenthede

11

Januarie 2013

Dié saadmengsels werk vir herwinning BiomosomeTM saadmengsels is op grond van Bioombeginsels ontwerp en die genetika van die saadspesies is aangepas by die omstandighede van die teikenomgewing.

BiomosomeTM saadmengels bied ‘n groot verbetering vanaf die alom vattende veldsaadmengsels wat algemeen beskikbaar is.

Plantegroeitipes in Suid-Afrika wat as biome bekend staan, word as volg geklassifiseer: • soortgelyke plantgemeenskappe, tovan die voorkoms en mate van teenwoordigheid van spesies, • struktuur, na gelang van variasie en lengtegroei, en • deelname in soortgelyke ekologiese prosesse soos jaarlikse reënval, reënseisoen, voorkoms van ryp, natuurlike blaarvreters en intensiteit van weerlig.

Eerstehulp

Voordat herwinning begin, moet die oorsaak van agteruitgang geïdentifiseer en regstellende aksie geneem word.

met die voet, en toepassing van volle liggaamsgewig, vas te trap.

Breedwerpige toediening van organise materiaal, soos kraalmis, is voordelig. Dit help in besonder by verspoelde areas waar die organiesryke A-horison van die grond verloor of benadeel is.

Nasorg

Die pak van takke sal die plante beskerm teen onder meer beweiding, voordat hulle gevestig het. Dit sal ook die plante toelaa tom die grond te stabiliseer, veral waar daar gronderosie was.

BomosomeTM herwinningsmengsels is ontwerp om by die plant-suksessieproses in te pas. Met verloop van tyd sal ander spesies hulle op die terrain vestig, òf vanaf die natuurlike saadbank òf vanaf saad van die omliggende plantegroei òf vanaf elders toegedien.

Bestuur van die plant-suksessieproses is belangrik om die grootste voordeel uit die moeite en koste van herwinning te verkry. Dit sal ook verhoed dat die terrein na die voormalige gedegradeerde toestand terugkeer. * Skakel gerus ons omgewing se Sakataverteenwoordiger, Leon Labuschagne, by 083 585 1181 vir meer inligting.

Operasie

Voorbereiding vir herwinning vereis los grond, om ‘n saadbed mee voor te berei en om waterindringing en belugting te bewerkstellig. Die implemente en trekkers op die meeste plase en rehabilitasieterreine is gewoonlik geskik. ‘n Mate van modifikasie mag noodsaaklik wees.

Die indeel van tyd is belangrik, aangesien doeltreffende grondvoorbereiding klam grond vereis — en daar moet genoeg tyd voor die volgende droë seisoen wees, vir saad om te ontkiem en plante te vestig. In dorre gebiede gebeur dit soms nie, maar tog word daar ontkiemingsresultate in opvolgende seisoene verkry.

In dorre gebiede het die skottelmetode, waar die grond met tussenposes langs die kontoer eers gebreek en dan gelos word, doeltreffend gewerk — dit kan met handgereedskap gedoen word. Waar die terrain dit toelaa tkan die werk met ‘n trekker gedoen word. Die bo-skakel word kort gestel en hidroliese dieptebeheer afwissellend twee meter in en een meter uit met die hand gedoen. Andersins kan die hidrouliese stelsel gelos en die afwisselende in en uit deur montering van ‘n af-senterwiel op die implement verkry word. ‘n Happloeg werk op hierdie beginsel.

Op ligte grond is ‘n skottel-effek verkieslik. ‘n Dis of ‘n swawelstertskaar is doeltreffend. Op swaarder grond, 20 % klei of meer, is ‘n tandimplement meer doeltreffend bevind, omdat die smeereffek van toerusting wat skep ‘n dun, dog hoog gekompakteerde lagie vorm, wat waterindringing beperk.

Ryspasiëring sal met reënval wissel, vanaf trekkerbreedte in dorre streke tot 0,5 meter in hoër reënvalgebiede. In hoër reënvalgebiede is nie net vestiging van die aangeplante spesies van belang nie, maar die onderdrukking van ongewenste opslagplante is net so belangrik.

Op herwinningsterreine wat deur bosindringing benadeel is, of op ontbosde uitheemse boomplantasies, soos swart wattel, is die onderdrukking van boomplantjies deur graskompetisie van uiterste belang.

Grasgroei wat genoegsaam is om brandsto vir ‘n brandprogram teen oorlewende boompies te voorsien, is net so belangrik.

Onmiddellik na die grond losgemaak is, word die saad op die bewerkte gedeeltes gestrooi. Die bolaag met die oppervlakkig toegediende saad word vasgerol om ‘n ferm saadbed te verkry. Dit word gedoen deur met die wiele in die rye met ‘n trekker oor die gebied te ry. As die werk per hand gedoen word, word ‘n ferm saadbed verkry deur die grond

Vervolmaak deur die Natuur TM

Biomosome Eko-Passende Veldsaad nou beskikbaar vanaf Sakata MayFord

BiomosomeTM saadmengsels is op grond van BIOOM beginsels ontwerp. Die genetika van die saadspesies is aangepas by die omstandighede van die teiken omgewing.

BiomosomeTM saadmengels bied 'n groot verbetering vanaf die alomvattende veldsaad mengsels wat algemeen beskikbaar is.

SAKATA SEED SOUTHERN AFRICA (PTY) LTD Posbus 160, LANSERIA 1748

www.mayford.co.za

Hulplyn: 0861 100 458

12

Januarie 2013