SATOWNS

Agri SA E-nuusbrief / E-newsletter
Agri SA, Posbus/ PO Box 1508 Pretoria 0001, Tel +27+12 300 9500, Faks/ Fax +27+12 320 0557
Die weeklikse Agri SA Nuusbrief word saamgestel uit berigte en brokkies van die Algemene Sake-, Bedryfs- en Landboubesigheidskamers, vir u inligting en verspreiding

This weekly Agri SA Newsletter is compiled for your information and use from articles and snippets supplied by the General Affairs, Commodity and Agricultural Business
Chambers
Oktober 2008
In die nuusbrief:
• Agri SA Kongres 2008
• Menseregtekommissie stel verslag vry oor plaasondersoek
• Voorgestelde watertarief-aanpassings
• Versekeringskema vir landbou
• Regskonferensie
• Die Onteieningswetsontwerp
• Stand van damme
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
• AGRI SA CONGRESS
• HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION LAUNCHES REPORT ON FARM ENQUIRY
• PROPOSED WATER TARIFF ADJUSTMENTS
• INSURANCE SCHEME FOR AGRICULTURE
• LEGAL CONFERENCE
• THE EXPROPRIATION BILL
• STATUS OF DAMS
Ondersteun ons vennote
Agri Securitas Trust Fund Partners
These partners make a contribution towards the safety of the farming community
Absa AgriBusiness
Enquiries: 011-350 6854 or your nearest Absa branch
Sanlam
Enquiries: Adv Kobus Engelbrecht 021-947 4506
Nissan SA
Enquiries: Francois Jacobs 083 471 4855
CrisisOnCall
Enquiries: Marius Vermaak 083 302 7576
Partners makeing a contribution in various fields within Agri SA
With their financial contributions, these partners have already demonstrated their support for the farmer and agriculture
Absa AgriBusiness
Enquiries: 011-350 6854 or your nearest Absa branch
T & E Finops
Enquiries: Esmé Theron 0861 440 666.
Barloworld
Enquiries: Adelé Smit 083 660 0799
Total SA
Enquiries: Contact your local co-op or Agri branch
Agri SA Group Provident Fund
Enquiries: Sakkie Hurd at (012)431 3333 or sakkieh@absa.co.za
Agri SA het groot waardering vir die vennote se betrokkenheid by die organisasie en die breë landbou
Agri Securitas gholfdae
Noord-Kaap 23 Oktober Upington Gholfklub
Limpopo 30 Oktober Korocreek Modimole (Nylstroom)
Noordwes 6 November Rustenburg Gholfklub
Navrae kan aan Lans Pepler gerig word by (021) 872 8539 of e-pos progolfm@telkomsa.net
Naamborg: Absa Hoofborg: Santam
Nasionale borge: Barloworld Motor, Mutual & Federal Agri, Alexnader Forbes, Beyerskloof,
Pfizer, Total SA, Clover, Landbouweekblad en Farmers Weekly
Navrae kan aan Lans Pepler gerig word by (021) 872 8539 of e-pos progolfm@telkomsa.net

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Agri SA Kongres 2008
Hans van der Merwe, Uitvoerende Direkteur
Agri SA se 2008-kongres word op 9 en 10 Oktober 2008 by die Saint George Hotel, net buite
Pretoria gehou te midde van onstuimigheid in die land se politieke omgewing en wankelrige
internasionale ekonomiese omstandighede. Soos ook die geval is met die res van die
sakegemeenskap, het landbouers en landboubesighede ‘n behoefte aan ‘n voorspelbare
politieke en sake-omgewing, wat op hierdie stadium meer vloeibaar is as dit waaraan ons die
afgelope 14 jaar gewoond was.
Die kongrestema van Agri SA handel juis oor “die toepaslikheid van Suid-Afrika se landbouagenda
gegewe die globale omgewing” wat ruimte laat vir die debattering van hierdie
veranderde omstandighede asook van die implikasies wat dit vir besluitneming in die landbou
inhou.
Aspekte soos voortgesette landbousubsidies en –beskerming deur nywerheidslande vanweë
die mislukking van die Wêreldhandelsorganisasie se Doha-rondte, hoë voedselpryse, die
potensiaal vir armmoedeverligting deur landbou-ontwikkeling, biobrandstof-ontwikkeling se
invloed op voedselproduksie en kommer oor klimaatsverandering, plaas landbou wêreldwyd op
die voorgrond. Die Suid-Afrikaanse landbou- en voedselbedryf, wat met die wêreldekonomie
geïntegreer is, moet hierdie omstandighede , tendense en vereistes verreken. Dit is juis wat
beplan word om met hierdie kongres van Agri SA te bereik.
Die inleidende gasspreker vir die kongres is mnr. Ajay Vashee, die president van die
Internasionale Federasie van Landbou-produsente. Hy sal na verwagting ‘n oorsig gee oor die
belangrikste kwessies waaraan landbouers tans wêreldwyd aandag gee om hul
bestaansekerheid, mededingendheid en winsgewendheid te verbeter. Hierop sal in drie
opeenvolgende sessies voortgebou word deur kundiges wat insette sal doen op die terreine van
die ekonomie, landbou-produksie en markoorwegings asook transformasiebestuur.
Kongresgangers sal met hierdie kundiges beleidsopsies kan debateer en voorstelle doen oor
beleidsoptrede waaraan Agri SA uitvoering moet gee.
Die ander buitesprekers wat by die kongres gaan optree is Mnr Ernst Janovsky van Absa, Mnr
Shan Ramburuth van die Mededingingskommissie, Prof André Jooste van die Nasionale
Landboubemarkingsraad, Dr John Purchase van die Landboubesigheidskamer, Prof Coleen
Vogel van die Universiteit van die Witwatersrand en Prof. Lise Korten van die Universiteit van
Pretoria.
Die kongres gaan ook ‘n aantal beleidsdokumente oorweeg, waaronder:
• Die ontwikkeling van lewensvaardighede en die vestiging van gesonde waardes vir die
plaaswerkergemeenskappe van Suid-Afrika; en
• Kommunikasie en netwerkverhoudinge
Die kongres is ook die geleentheid waartydens die afgevaardigdes verteenwoordigend van Agri
SA se nege provinsiale landbou-affiliasies, 29 bedryfsorganisasies en die
Landboubesigheidskamer ampsdraers kies vir die posisies van onderskeidelik president,
adjunk-president en drie vise-presidente, naamlik vir die Algemene Sakekamer, Bedyfskamer
en die Besigheidskamer. Hierdie verkiesing vind jaarliks plaas.
Media-navrae kan gerig word aan: Thea Liebenberg, kantoor tel 012-300 9500 of 082 388
0008 of per e-pos thea@agrisa.co.za
Menseregtekommissie stel verslag vry oor plaasondersoek
Kobus Kleynhans
Die Menseregtekommissie (MRK) het pas sy verslag vrygestel oor die openbare verhore na
beweerde skendings van menseregte op plase wat in September 2007 gehou is. Die
ondersoek was ‘n opvolg op ‘n soortgelyke ondersoek wat in 2003 gehou is om vas te stel of
daar enige vordering was sedert die 2003 ondersoek.

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Waar die vorige verslag skerp krities was teen die boeregemeenskap en in baie opsigte eensydig en
subjektief, lyk die nuwe verslag met die eerste deurlees meer gebalansseerd en objektief en toon ten
minste ‘n begrip vir die ingewikkelde aard van die plaaslewe en die onderlinge verhoudinge tussen
plaaswerkers.
In sy voorlegging tydens die bekendstellingsgeleentheid het die MRK voorsitter, Jody Kollapen, erkenning
gegee aan die belangrike rol van die landbousektor as voorsiener van voedsel, bydrae tot die ekonomie,
werkskepper, die lewensruimte wat op plase verskaf word vir miljoene Suid-Afrikaners en ook gewag
gemaak van die veranderde omstandighede, nasionaal en internasionaal, waarmee die landbousektor te
doen het.
Hoewel daar op sekere punte nog kritiek teen boere uitgespreek word is dit duidelik uit die aanbevelings
dat die MRK meen dat die klem bv. moet val op meer doelgerigte optrede deur staatsdepartemente en
dat die klem moet val op beter infrastruktuur en ondersteuningstrukture vir landelike bewoners en
plaasgemeenskappe. Een van die sake uitgewys is bv. die vestiging van nedersettings / dorpies /
dorpsuitbreidings vir die landelike bevolking, wat ook plaasbewoners insluit. Agri SA het nog altyd die
konsep van “off-farm” keuse vir behuising van plaaswerkers voorgestaan.
Agri SA sal die verslag nog volledig bestudeer en meer omvattende kommentaar opstel.
Voorgestelde watertarief-aanpassings
Nic Opperman, Direkteur: Natuurlike Hulpbronne
Die Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou (DWAF) het by ‘n nasionale konsultasie
vergadering met belangegroepe die voorgestelde verhoging in watertariewe vir 2009/10 bekend
gemaak.

Agri SA se afvaardiging onder leiding van Johannes Möller het die Departement meegedeel dat
die voorgestelde watertariefverhogings met maksimum stygings (in sekere gevalle meer as ‘n
100% wat deur die Departement tot 50 % beperk word) nie vir besproeiingsboere aanvaarbaar
is nie. Hy het die Departement versoek vir ‘n opvolg-gesprek met Agri SA en die TLU SA en
NAFU SA se verteenwoordigers uitgenooi om die vergadering by te woon. Agri SA het
onderneem om ‘n voorlegging in die verband op te stel om die samesprekings te rugsteun.
Möller het by die geleentheid gesê dat daar allerweë kommer in landbougeledere bestaan dat
die uitvoerstatus van landbouprodukte oor tyd van ‘n netto uitvoerder na ‘n netto invoerder
verander het, ten spyte daarvan dat pryse van sommige landbou-uitvoerprodukte gunstig
gestyg het.

Agri SA het soos by vorige geleenthede die Departement se tekotkominge met die
begrotingsproses uitgewys. Leemtes met die uiteensetting van begrotings en die vergelyking
daarvan met die vorige jaar se werklike uitgawes belemmer die deursigtigheid van die proses.
Agri SA het die Departement ook al by herhaling versoek om die begrotings op ‘n nul basis op
te stel en met watergebruikers se medewerking af te rond. In die afwesigheid van die
Opvangebiedbestuursagentskappe (CMA’s) vervul die Departement op hierdie stadium twee
rolle, as reguleerder en as ‘n diensverskaffer. Die CMA’s is in proses om in plek gestel te word
wat die gebrek aan inspraak van watergebruikers sal ondervang. DWAF se diensverskaffings
funksies word gevolglik eensydig ervaar, aangesien watergebruikers nie statutêre inspraak by
die Departement het nie.

‘n Verdere aspek wat by Agri SA kommer wek is dat daar nuwe koste-items by die begroting
toegevoeg is, wat die watertarief-aanpassings negatief beïnvloed.
Agri SA het die Departement versoek om die inwerkingstelling van die voorgestelde
interdepartementele komitee om die aanpassings in watertariewe te oorweeg, dringend te
bespoedig.

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Versekeringskema vir landbou
Johan Pienaar, Adjunk Uitvoerende Direkteur
Agri SA het Maandag met die belangrikste versekeraars in die landbou asook herversekeraars
vergader ten einde te besin oor ‘n omvattende versekeringskema vir die landbousektor. Dit het
gevolg na aanduidings ook vanuit owerheidsweë dat daar ‘n groter bereidwilligheid bestaan om
so ‘n skema te oorweeg ook met betrekking tot moontlike owerheidsbystand gerig op premies
en/of herversekering. Sodanige skema het reeds voorheen aandag geniet, maar die Nasionale
Tesourie se aandrang op omvattende kwantifisering van die moontlike staatsbetrokkenheid het
die skema grootliks gekelder. Dit blyk dat ‘n meer soepel benadering nou gevolg sal word. Die
vernaamste probleem met so ‘n stelsel is die insluiting van droogtetoestande daarby, veral ten
opsigte van oorwegend ongunstige klimaatstoestande in Suid-Afrika en die stygende uitwerking
daarvan op premies.
Verskeie lande in die wêreld het so ‘n stelsel in werking terwyl dit in terme van die dissiplines
van die Wêreldhandelsorganisasie as ‘n “green box” aangeleentheid aanvaar word wat beteken
dat bepaalde subsidies in die verband aanvaarbaar is. Die vergadering het spesifieke aandag
aan die stelsel soos tans van toepassing in Turkye verleen en dit sal verder nagegaan word met
die oop op moontlike implementering ter plaatse. Dit is moeilik om die toekoms van die
implementering van so ‘n stelsel in Suid-Afrika te voorsien ten minste is die proses nou weer
geaktiveer en alle rolspelers is bereid om aan die ontwikkeling daarvan deel te neem.
Regskonferensie

Annelize Crosby, Parlementêre verteenwoordiger, Adviseur: Regs- & Grondsake
Agri SA het op 23 September 2008 ‘n regskonferensie oor grondhervorming gehou. Regters
Gildenhuys en Bam van die Grondeisehof, Advokate Gerrit Grobler en Henk Havenga van
Pretoria balie en prokureurs Bertus van der Merwe en Aldo Rech, wat beide spesialiseer in
grondeise, het as sprekers opgetree.

Die konferensie is bygewoon deur sowat 70 afgevaardigdes wat verteenwoordigend was van
die nege provinsiale unies, enkele bedrywe die Landboubesigheidskamer en plattelandse
prokureursfirmas wat bande met provinsiale unies het.

Die twee regters het gepraat oor die rol, funksie en proses van die Grondeisehof in grondeise
en verblyfreg-dispute. Advokaat Grobler het gepraat oor sogenaamde kruipende onteienings.
Hy het onder andere gesê dat daar ‘n onderskeid is, ook in ons reg tussen onteiening, waarvoor
vergoeding betaalbaar is en sogenaamde beplanningsmaatreëls oftewel “police powers”, wat
gebruik kan word om persone se eiendomsreg in te perk of selfs weg te neem, maar waar daar
nie regte in die staat vestig nie en geen vergoeding betaalbaar is nie. Sodra daar ‘n reg in die
staat vestig, is dit ‘n onteiening en is vergoeding betaalbaar. Dit kan egter soms moeilik wees
om te onderskei tussen beplanningsmaatreëls en onteiening. Hy het die mening uitgespreek
dat die ontneming an mineraalregte in terme van die sogenaamde “use it or lose it” beginsel,
neerkom op onteiening, waarvoor vergoeding betaalbaar behoort te wees. Daar is ook ander
voorbeelde waar regte deur ‘n kombinasie van wette, wat dalk op hul eie wettig en billik mag
voorkom, ontneem word, sonder dat daar billike vergoeding betaalbaar is. Daar bestaan
internasionaal aanvaarbare norme vir die bepaling van vergoeding by onteiening. Baie van
hierdie norme is vervat in die huidige (1975 Onteieningswet) en in artikel 25 van die Grondwet.
Advokaat Henk Havenga het die konferensie toegespreek oor ‘n paar belangrike hofbeslissings
oor restitusie en die implikasies daarvan. Hy het onder andere die mening uitgespreek dat die
Konstitusionele Hof se beslissing in die sogenaamde Popela-saak sekere belangrike
implikasies inhou vir gemeenskapseise waarby huurarbeiders betrokke is. Hy het ook
verduidelik hoe die howe die begrip “rasgebaseerde praktyk” interpreteer en hoe die howe
omgaan met die kwessie van “billike vergoeding” in gevalle waar die eisers wel destyds
vergoeding vir die ontneming van hulle regte ontvang het.

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Aldo Rech het ‘n voorlegging gedoen oor die hantering van landelike restitusie-eise. Hy het
onder andere bevestig dat onteiening slegs kan plaasvind in gevalle waar daar geen dispuut oor
die geldigheid van ‘n eis bestaan nie.
Bertus van der Merwe se voorlegging het gehandel oor die rol van die Wet op die Bevordering
van Toegang tot Inligting en die Wet op die Bevordering van Administratiewe Geregtigheid in
die grondhervormingsproses. Hy het verduidelik hoe hierdie twee stukke wetgewing
aangewend kan word in veral die restitusie-proses om te verseker dat grondeienaars se regte
ge-eerbiedig word.

Die Onteieningswetsontwerp
Annelize Crosby, Parlementêre verteenwoordiger, Adviseur: Regs- & Grondsake
Die kontroversiële Onteieningswetsontwerp, wat gedurende Junie, na die openbare verhore in
die Parlement “op ys” geplaas is, is op 23 September 2008 formeel teruggetrek uit die
parlementêre proses. Daar was groot onduidelikheid oor die presiese status van die
wetsontwerp en die redes waarom die Portefeuljekomitee op Openbare Werke nie voortgegaan
het om dit te debatteer en aan te neem na die openbare verhore nie. Daar was geweldige
teenstand teen die wetsontwerp en die grondwetlikheid van sekere aspekte daarvan is deur
verskeie rolspelers in twyfel getrek. Skynbaar was daar ook ‘n parlementêre regsadviseur wat
gewaarsku het dat aspekte van die wetsontwerp ongrondwetlik mag wees. Agri SA verwag dat
die wetsontwerp op ‘n stadium weer by die Parlement ingedien sal word, maar sal druk vir
behoorlike konsultasie vooraf om te verseker dat probleme daarmee aangespreek word. Agri
SA, saam met besigheidsvennote binne BUSA, sal verdere prosesse fyn dophou.
Stand van damme
Martina Benadé, Ekonomie en Handel
Danksy bonormale reën wat oor die grootste gedeeltes van die winterreënvalgebiede geval het,
het dit gelei tot goeie produksietoestande vir koring in die Wes-Kaap. Meeste somerreënval
gebiede is droog. Hierdie droë toestande, hoë temperature en sterk wind lei tot gunstige
toestande vir die ontwikkeling en verspreiding van veldbrande met verwoestende gevolge vir
weiding en vee. Volgens die Departement van Waterwese se jongste damverslag het die
gemiddelde stand van damme in hierdie week met ongeveer 0,8% afgeneem tot 81,4%. Vir die
ooreenstemmende tydperk verlede jaar was die stand 69,2%. Damme in die Oos-Kaap,
Limpopo en Noordwes is onderskeidelik 71,2%, 69,2% en 67,8% vol, terwyl damme in die
Vrystaat (83,5%), Gauteng (97,5%), KwaZulu-Natal (81,1%), Mpumalanga (80,9%), Noord-
Kaap (91,8%) en Wes-Kaap (91,7%) meer as 80% vol is. Onder die land se groot damme lê die
Vaaldam op 82,1%, die Sterkfonteindam staan op 98,4%, Bloemhofdam is op 86,9%, die
Gariepdam op 76,5% en die Vanderkloofdam op 98,4%. Reserwes in besproeiingsdamme in die
meeste provinsies vir die komende somer is besonder hoog. Die algemene prentjie, alhoewel
dit ook beter vertoon, verskans noodwendig die situasie in spesifieke gebiede, waarvan
verskeie ten tye van die skrywe van die nuusbrief in ‘n kommerwekkende situasie verkeer.

AGRI SA CONGRESS 2008
Hans van der Merwe, Executive Director
Agri SA’s 2008 Congress is scheduled for 9 and 10 October 2008 at the Saint George Hotel
outside Pretoria and will take place amid turbulent political circumstances locally and unstable
international economic conditions. As in the case of the rest of the business community,
farmers and agribusinesses require a predictable political and business environment, which at
this stage is more fluid than we have been accustomed to for the past 14 years.
In fact, the theme of this year’s Congress is: The appropriateness of South Africa’s agricultural
agenda given the global environment, which allows room for debating these changes as well as
the implications thereof on decision-making within agriculture.
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Aspects such as continued farm subsidies and protection provided by industrial countries due to
the failure of the World Trade organisation’s Doha round, high food prices, the potential for
poverty relief through agricultural development, the influence of bio-fuel development on food
prices and concerns regarding climate change, have placed agriculture in the spotlight. The
South African agricultural and food industry, which is integrated with the world economy, has to
offset these circumstances, trends and demands. This is in fact what Agri SA hopes to achieve
at this Congress.
The introductory speaker at the congress is Mr Ajay Vashee, president of the International
Federation of Agricultural Producers. He is expected to provide an overview of the important
issues to which farmers worldwide are attending at present to improve their economic security,
competitiveness and profitability. Thereafter experts will provide relevant input during three
consecutive sessions which will focus on the economy, agricultural production and market
considerations as well as transformation management. Congress-goers will be able to debate
policy options with these experts and make proposals regarding policy actions which Agri SA
should implement.
The other external speakers at the Congress are Mr Ernst Janovsky of Absa, Mr Shan
Ramburuth of the Human Rights Commission, Prof. André Jooste of the National Agricultural
Marketing Council, Dr John Purchase of the Agricultural Business Chamber, Prof. Coleen Vogel
of the University of the Witwatersrand and Prof. Lise Korten of the University of Pretoria.
Congress will also consider a number of policy documents, including:
• The development of life skills and establishment of sound values for farm worker
communities in South Africa; and
• Communication and networking relationships.
The Congress also serves as an opportunity for delegates representing Agri SA’s nine
provincial agricultural affiliates, 29 commodity organisations and the Agricultural Business
Chamber to elect office bearers for the positions of President, Deputy President and three vice
presidents, namely for the General Chamber, Commodity Chamber and the Business Chamber.
This election takes place annually.
Media enquiries can be addressed to: Thea Liebenberg, office tel. 012-300 9500 or 082 388
0008 or per e-mail thea@agrisa.co.za.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION LAUNCHES REPORT ON FARM
ENQUIRY
Kobus Kleynhans
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) recently launched its report on the public hearings into
alleged human rights abuses on farms.
The hearings, which were conducted in September 2007 and followed on a similar inquiry in
2003, were aimed at monitoring progress made since 2003.
While the previous report had been highly critical of the farming community and in many
respects one sided and non-objective, the new report at first glance appears to be more
balanced and objective and at least shows understanding for the complex nature of farm life
and the relationship between farm dwellers.
In his presentation the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Jody Kollapen,
acknowledged the important role that the agricultural sector plays as supplier of food, its
contribution to the economy and job creation, and the livelihood it affords to millions of South
Africans on farms. He also made reference to the changing circumstances, nationally and
internationally, with which the agricultural sector has to cope.
While criticism is still levelled at farmers in certain respects, it is clear from the
recommendations that the HRC believes the emphasis should be on more purposeful
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interventions by government departments, for example improved infrastructure and support
structures for rural dwellers and farm communities. One of the issues highlighted for instance is
the establishment of settlements / villages / town extensions for the rural population, which will
include farm workers.
Agri SA has always favoured the concept of “off-farm” options for housing farm workers.
Agri SA is still studying the report in detail and more comprehensive comments will be drafted.
PROPOSED WATER TARIFF ADJUSTMENTS
Nic Opperman, Director: Natural Resources
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), during a national consultation meeting
with stakeholders, announced the proposed increase in water tariffs for 2009/10.
Agri SA’s delegation, led by Johannes Möller, informed the Department that the proposed water
tariff increase, with maximum increases (in certain cases more than 100%, which is limited by
the Department to 50%), was not acceptable to irrigation farmers. Agri SA asked the
Department for a follow-up meeting, and invited the representatives of TAU SA and NAFU SA to
attend the meeting. Agri SA undertook to compile a submission in this regard to support the
discussions.
Möller also referred to widespread concern within agricultural circles that the export status of
agricultural products had changed over time from net exporter to net importer despite the fact
that prices of some farm exports had increased considerably.
As at a previous occasion, Agri SA listed the shortcomings in the Department’s budgeting
process. Deficiencies in the manner in which the budget is compiled, using a comparison with
the actual expenses of the prior year, hamper the transparency of the process. Agri SA had
repeatedly requested the Department to compile their budgets on a zero basis and to round it
off with the water users’ co-operation. In the absence of Catchment Management Agencies, the
Department at this stage fulfils two roles, namely as regulator and as service provider. The
CMAs are currently being established and will address the water users’ lack of input towards the
process. DAWF’s service provision functions are therefore regarded as unilateral as water
users have no statutory influence with the Department.
A further aspect that concerns Agri SA is that new cost items had been added to the budget,
which have a negative impact on water tariff adjustments.
Agri SA urged the Department to expedite the implementation of the proposed
interdepartmental committee appointed to consider water tariff adjustments.
INSURANCE SCHEME FOR AGRICULTURE
Johan Pienaar: Deputy Executive Director
Agri SA on Monday met with the most important insurers in agriculture as well as reinsurers to
decide on a comprehensive insurance scheme for the agricultural sector. This followed after
indications from government side that there was a greater willingness to consider such a
scheme, also with regard to possible government assistance in terms of premiums and/or
reinsurance. Such a scheme had been considered previously, but the National Treasury’s
insistence on in-depth quantification of possible state involvement had largely sunk the project.
It appears that a more supple approach will now be followed. The main problem with such a
system is the inclusion of drought conditions, especially given the mostly unfavourable climatic
conditions in South Africa and the upward impact thereof on premiums.
Various countries in the world operate such a system while, in terms of the disciplines of the
World Trade Organisation, it is accepted as a “green box” issue, which means that certain
subsidies in this regard are acceptable. The meeting focused specifically on the system as
currently applicable in Turkey, which will be further examined with a view to possible
- 8 -
implementation locally. It is difficult to predict the future of such a system in South Africa but at
least the process has now been reactivated and all role players are willing to participate in the
development thereof.

LEGAL CONFERENCE
Annelize Crosby, Parliamentary representative, Adviser: Legal & Land Affairs
Agri SA hosted a legal conference on land reform on 23 September 2008. Judges Gildenhuys
and Bam of the Land Claims Court, Advocates Gerrit Grobler and Henk Havenga of the Pretoria
bar and the attorneys Bertus van der Merwe and Aldo Rech, both of who specialise in land
claims, acted as speakers.
The conference was attended by approximately 70 delegates representing nine provinces,
certain commodities, the Agricultural Business Chamber and rural law firms with ties to the
provincial unions.
The two judges addressed the role, function and process of the Land Claims Court with regard
to land claims and tenure disputes. Advocate Grobler spoke about the so-called “creeping
expropriations”. He mentioned, among other things, that a distinction is made, also in our law,
between expropriation in respect of which compensation is payable, and so-called planning
measures, or police powers, which could be used to restrict a person’s property rights or even
deprive them of such rights, but where no rights vest in the state and no compensation is
payable. As soon as a right is vested in the state it becomes expropriation, with compensation
being payable. However, it could sometimes be difficult to distinguish between planning
measures and expropriation. He was of the opinion that depriving someone of mineral rights in
terms of the so-called “use it or lose it” principle, amounted to expropriation, which should be
subject to compensation. There are also other examples where rights are expropriated through
a combination of laws, which, on their own may seem legitimate and fair, without reasonable
compensation being payable. There are internationally acceptable norms for determining
compensation in the event of expropriation. Many of these norms are contained in the existing
Expropriation Act (1975) and in section 25 of the Constitution.
Advocate Henk Havenga addressed the conference on a number of important court judgments
relating to restitution and the implications thereof. He expressed the opinion, among others, that
the Constitutional Court ruling in the so-called Popela case held certain important implications
for community claims in which labour tenants were involved. He also explained how the courts
interpret the concept “race-based practice” and how the courts deal with the issue of “fair
compensation” in cases where the claimants had in fact previously received compensation
when they were deprived of their rights.
Aldo Rech spoke on the handling of rural restitution claims. He confirmed, among other things,
that expropriation could only take place in cases where there is no dispute regarding the validity
of a claim.
Bertus van der Merwe’s presentation dealt with the role of the Promotion of Access to
Information Act and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act within the land reform process.
He explained that these two acts could be used in the restitution process, in particular, to
ensure that land owners’ rights are respected.
THE EXPROPRIATION BILL
Annelize Crosby, Parliamentary representative, Adviser: Legal & Land Affairs
The controversial Expropriation Bill, which was “put on ice” in June after the public hearings in
Parliament, was formally withdrawn from the parliamentary process on 23 September 2008.
There was great uncertainty regarding the precise status of the bill and the reasons why the
Portfolio Committee on Public Works did not proceed with in debating and accepting the bill
after the public hearings. There was tremendous opposition to the bill and various role players
expressed doubt regarding the constitutionality of some aspects thereof. Apparently there was
also a parliamentary legal adviser who warned that aspects of the bill might be unconstitutional.
- 9 -
Agri SA expects that the bill would be tabled in Parliament again at a later stage, but will
demand effective prior consultation to ensure that problems experienced with the bill are
addressed. Agri SA, together with its business partners within BUSA, will monitor further
processes very closely.
STATUS OF DAMS
Martina Benadé, Economics and Trade
Thanks to above-average rains across the greater part of the winter rainfall areas, good
production conditions were experienced for wheat in the Western Cape. Most summer rainfall
areas are dry. These dry conditions, high temperatures and strong winds are conducive to the
development and spread of veld fires, with devastating consequences for pastures and
livestock. According to the Department of Water Affairs’ latest dam report, the average level of
dams this week dropped by approximately 0,8% to 81,4%. For the corresponding period last
year this figure was 69,2%. Dam levels in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West stand at
71,2%, 69,2% and 67,8% respectively, while dams in the Free State (83,5%), Gauteng (97,5%),
KwaZulu-Natal (81,1%), Mpumalanga (80,9%), Northern Cape (91,8%) and Western Cape
(91,7%) are more than 80% full. With regard to the country’s major dams, the Vaal Dam stands
at 82,1% the Sterkfontein Dam at 98,4%, the Bloemhof Dam at 86,9%, the Gariep Dam at
76,5% and the Vanderkloof Dam at 98,4%. Reserves of irrigation dams in most provinces are
exceptionally high for the forthcoming summer. The general picture, although much better,
conceals the situation in specific areas, many of which at the time of compiling this newsletter is
an alarming situation.
RSG Landbou-program
RSG Landbou bestaan uit aktualiteitsonderhoude en landbounuus wat van Maandae tot
Donderdae van 12:30-12:45 uitgesaai word op RSG. Die aanbieder is Hennie Maas.
Stigterslede Agri SA, MPO en Graan SA is verantwoordelik vir die verskaffing van
inligting vir die programinhoud. Die programinhoud en nuus word gekoördineer en
saamgestel deur Agri Connect.
Erkenning word gegee aan die volgende borge en medewerkers wat van RSG
Landbou ‘n sukses help maak: Agri SA, MPO, Graan SA, Agri Connect,
AgriBonus, Pfizer, UniGrain, Cape Wools’ SA, The Maize Trust, Olie
Advieskomitee, Voermol, Sanlam Cobalt, Santam en Pannar.
Landboufokus
Landboufokus, geborg deur FNB, is ‘n nuwe landbouprogram wat 1 Oktober 2007
afgeskop het van Maandae-Vrydae van 4:45-4:55 op RSG. Die program bestaan uit
interessante onderhoude oor verskillende landboubedrywe. Die program word
aangebied deur Hennie Maas en word saamgestel deur Agri Connect.

Agriculture Today
SABC 2 Maandae – Vrydae 05:45
SABC Africa (kanaal 53) Sondae 12:30

Ons spreek oudergewoonte landboukwessies aan, kyk na die jongste markpryse.
We have a look at what the weather holds.
Lekker boer! / Enjoy your farming!
Hierdie nuusbrief word saamgestel en uitgereik deur Agri SA Korporatiewe Skakeling
This newsletter is compiled and issued by Agri SA Corporate Liaison

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Thursday, 5 June 2008                                                                                      First Edition

Headlines

            Alleged letter from Tsvangirai to Mbeki a plot to derail efforts
            Govt considers immediate relief measures as food prices soar
            WEF establishes Africa gender equality group
            Police winning the war against crime- Nqakula
            SA to boost economic ties with Spain
            Western Cape learners to get financial skills

Alleged letter from Tsvangirai to Mbeki a plot to derail efforts

By Bathandwa Mbola

Cape Town – Media reports that President Thabo Mbeki had received a letter from Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are incorrect and could be part of a disinformation campaign aimed at disrupting the facilitation process in that country.

Briefing the media in Cape Town Director General in the Presidency Frank Chikane reiterated that President Mbeki has not received any such letter from Mr Tsvangarai.

This follows weekend media newspapers claiming they had in their possession a letter written by Mr Tsvangirai to President Mbeki accusing the President of, among other things, not being neutral during Zimbabwe talks.

President Mbeki was mandated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to facilitate talks between the opposition leader and current President Robert Mugabe.

The letter was said to have been delivered via official channels and urged President Mbeki to step down as mediator in the Zimbabwean talks.

Reverent Chikane said no such letter was ever sent nor has any official in the Presidency or the South African government received any such letter from any member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

“Furthermore, the MDC has never discussed the letter with the facilitation team, the Presidency or any department of government and the MDC at any time,” the director general told the media.

Reverent Chikane then cited several instances where journalists had attributed incorrect statements on Zimbabwe’s mediation talks to Mbeki.

Among these was a report on the eve of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) head of states meeting in Zambia in August, where it was claimed that President Mbeki would use the occasion to attack Britain for its role in the Zimbabwean crisis.

“It was clear that these fabrications are focusing on demonisation of the facilitation process with the intention to prevent the possibility for a solution to the challenges in Zimbabwe.”
 
Reverent Chikane warned the media to be vigilant of false statements.

“In this context, the media ought to remain vigilant by, amongst other ways, authenticating information as well as greater scrutiny of the motives of those who leak information,” he said. – BuaNews 

Govt considers immediate relief measures as food prices soar

By Shaun Benton

Cape Town – Government is considering immediate relief measures in the face of rising food prices, which are increasing not only in South Africa but globally.

This is according to Director General in the Department of Health, Thami Mseleku who was addressing the media on the Programme of Action of government’s Social Security Cluster on Wednesday.

He said government may provide various supplements to the social grants already being provided.

Food security is now a key challenge facing not only the most vulnerable people in South Africa but people throughout the world, Mr Mseleku told reporters.

One way of diminishing food vulnerability is that of pricing, and government will be looking at extending zero VAT, already applicable to some staple items, on certain other foodstuffs not already on the list of zero VAT items, Mr Mseleku said.

In the meantime, a focus is being made on sustainable food production, and will be moving to encourage South Africans to take the issue seriously and in their “own hands” through, for example, developing private vegetable gardens.

While this might seem a simple solution, it is a practice more widespread in other countries and needs to be encouraged among rapidly urbanising South Africans.

Italy is one such country, where it is common to see retired workers and pensioners tending small gardens in municipality-provided allotments of land around most cities and villages.

Government will be starting a campaign to inculcate “a culture of agricultural production” or rather – given South Africa’s historic dependence on agriculture, a “reculturisation” among various sectors of South African society, such as schools, where young people can tend to communal gardens, said Mr Mseleku.

The campaign will not only be rolled out in cities but will also seek to affect “rural behaviour”, the health director-general said.

Adding to Mr Mseleku’s remarks, the Director-General of Land Affairs, TT Gwanya, told reporters that the Department of Agriculture is implementing a campaign encouraging food production in each of the nine provinces.

Emerging farmers are to be a key focus, and government will be providing so-called “starter packs” which will include farm implements.

This will ensure they have the basic tools with which to go into the fields, Mr Gwanya said.

Cooperation is also central to making it work, and indeed the survival of the most vulnerable.

“The only way we can beat these food prices is to make sure we work together,” the Mr Mseleku said.

While large commercial, usually white-owned farms are central to food production, Mr Gwanya pointed out that the contribution of South Africa’s smaller farmers – including the so-called “emerging” group of those returning to the land – to the overall level of the country’s food production is often underrated.

On the question of livestock, for instance, Mr Gwanya cited some interesting figures: 64 percent of the country’s goats are herded by black farmers, 45 percent of the cattle belong in these communities, 20 percent of the pigs, 12 percent of the sheep.

The issue now is to build the “massification” of livestock farming and food processing, he said, adding that the agriculture “starter packs” being provided to poorer communities in each of the provinces was a beginning of this process.

To date, according to figures provided to reporters on Wednesday, 15 765 “production packages” have already been distributed in poorer communities around the country, and 6 390 vegetable gardens have been established.

About six million learners in about 18 000 schools have received meals in school-feeding programmes, and a proposal to encourage an awards system for the National School Nutrition Programme is being considered.

Meanwhile, there are 4 891 outstanding rural land claims, of which about 2 585 have been prioritised for settlement in this financial year. About 283 rural land claims have been settled in the past four months, while 144 of the rural claims are “facing community disputes”.

About 254 land claims are being contested by current landowners on “the grounds of validity”. – BuaNews

WEF establishes Africa gender equality group

Cape Town – Top female and male leaders from across the continent have launched an Africa Gender Parity Group at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, Wednesday.

The group of business, government, media, academia and civil society decision-makers are collaborating on ways for companies and countries to eradicate gender inequality and better engage women in the economy.

“Women account for a sizeable portion of Africa’s economies and could contribute considerably more if there were greater gender equality,” said head of the WEF’s Gender Parity and Women Leaders Programme Saadia Zahidi.

“The Africa Gender Parity Group believes both women and men need to work together to close the gender gap, and thus better leverage women’s talents to increase productivity and prosperity in all of society.”

Members of the Africa Gender Parity Group include Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; Governor of the Bank of Botswana Linah K Mohohlo; Chairman of the Board at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Jay Naidoo; and African Union (AU) Commissioner for Trade and Industry Elisabeth Tankeu.

Other members also include Chairman of Nedbank Reuel Khoza; President of AllAfrica Global Media Amadou Mahtar Ba; Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Accenture William Mzimba; CEO of ArcelorMittal Nku Nyembezi-Heita; and Director General and CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke.

At their first meeting at the WEF on Africa, the Group called for greater government commitment and funding for primary, secondary and tertiary education, focusing in particular on increasing the retention rates for girls.

Also, the forum called for better legislation to fight discrimination against women, particularly in the area of property rights and the effective implementation of this legislation.

A comprehensive overview of the policies and programmes that have been effective in narrowing gender gaps in the region’s best performing countries and a transfer of these best practices to low performing countries was also called for.

Africa lags behind most parts of the world in closing its gender gap on education and health, but is well ahead of many emerging regions on closing the gap in political empowerment.

In the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report, which ranks 128 countries according to the size of their gender gaps, the performance of Sub-Saharan African countries is greatly varied.

South Africa, ranked 20, is a leader in the region, boosted by its scores on the political empowerment of women.

However, the region also contains some of the lowest ranking countries in the world, including Zimbabwe (88) and Nigeria (107), hampered by particularly poor performances in the areas of education and health.

More than 800 leaders from 50 countries are participating in the 18th WEF on Africa in Cape Town from 4 to 6 June 2008. – BuaNews

Police winning the war against crime- Nqakula

By Bathandwa Mbola

Parliament – Police are winning the war against crime and driving down the levels of criminal activity in the country, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula has told Parliamentarians.

Tabling his Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Nqakula said the new crime trends report which is to be released soon indicates that the crime rate is being steadily reduced.

“Of course, more work needs to be done given that, despite the downward trend in crime levels, the levels of violent crimes are still unacceptably high.”

He said this would mean that the police must do more to create a safe and secured environment that is defined in their mandate.

Despite government’s calls for South Africans to help in building safer and more secure communities by mobilising against crime, another recent survey revealed that citizens need to do more to protect themselves.

According to a survey realised by the Institute for Security Studies on the 2007 National Victim Survey conducted during October to November 2007 found that 60 percent of the people that were interviewed had done nothing.

The report found that at least 75 percent of the people who reported the crime felt safer as a result.

Government believes that every citizen has a role to play in combating crime in the country, and that it was well documented that partnerships with communities and neighbourhoods have yielded good results.

The survey further revealed that crime in South Africa has decreased by 12 percent since 1998 and four percent since 2003.
According to the report, the notable decreases where mainly in housebreaking, corruption, theft from vehicles and stock theft.

“We are going to be discussing in due course, here in Parliament, and at other levels of human endeavour in our country, Bills that seek to define new ways of dealing with organised crime,” Mr Nqalula said.

He told Parliamentarians that government wanted to create a Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation which will be comprised of the best experience from the Directorate of Special Operations and the police’s Organised Crime Unit and Commercial Branch.

The unit will replace the Scorpions and he also announced that state-of-the-art technology has been procured to equip a new unit to deal with organised crime.

“That matter is not for today’s discussion but is an important matter to be discussed by all of us as we all strive to find the best measures to deal with organised crime.”

Mr Nqakula also announced that steps were being taken to increase the number of prosecutions by appointing organised crime prosecutors to provide guidance and assistance to detectives investigating these cases. – BuaNews

SA to boost economic ties with Spain

By Luyanda Makapela

Spain – Economic ties between South Africa and Spain are being given a boost with Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma meeting her Spanish counterpart for a four-day visit, beginning on Wednesday.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs the minister’s visit with Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister and Cooperation Miguel Angel Moratinos will focus on strengthening bilateral political, investment and trade relations.

It will also further promote the dynamic economic relations between the two counties.

Spain is South Africa’s seventh largest export destination globally and to date, total trade between South Africa and Spain has increased from R11 billion in 2004 to R19 billion in 2007.

Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Moratinos are expected to consider enhanced Spanish engagement with Africa through focused support for conflict resolution on the African continent.

“Promotion of social and economic developments including support for the Africa Union, socio- economic programmes, NEPAD [New Partnership for Africa's Development] will be discussed,” the department said.
 
Discussions will also look at South Africa’s participation in the Zaragoza World Expo which will be held from June to September 2008.

It will further focus on increased cooperation in the multilateral context, inter alia, the comprehensive reform of United Nation Institutions and United Nations Security Council issues.
 
During her visit, Ms Dlamini Zuma will interact with a number of Spanish companies who have shown a strong interest in investing in South Africa. – BuaNews

Western Cape learners to get financial skills

By Gabi Khumalo

Cape Town – Pupils in the Western Cape are to be taught financial literacy with the help of an American-based non-government organisation and the Western Cape Department of Education.

Provincial Education MEC Cameron Dugmore signed an agreement worth R7.7 million with Operation HOPE, whose “Banking on Our Future” financial literacy programme is designed to help students learn the power of banking, saving, investing, self-reliance and dignity.

The programme is to be piloted in schools in the Cape Winelands District, where learners will gain entrepreneurial knowledge skills.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, founder of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant said the aim of the “Banking on Our Future” South Africa program was to execute a global delivery system for financial education for youth and women at no cost to schools, with a focus on historically marginalised communities.

The $1 million program consists of six modules which are Basics of Banking and Financial Services, Cheque and Savings Accounts, the Power of Credit, Basic Investments, Entrepreneurship and Dignity.

Mr Bryant said through the programme, students are taught by trained volunteer HOPE Corp members, many recruited from the banking sector to share their knowledge of banking and credit into terms that youth can understand and utilise immediately.

“In addition to financial education, the students are left with a message of empowerment, responsibility and most important, a message of HOPE,” Mr Bryant said.

Mr Dugmore said the primary objective of the partnership was to deliver, promote and assess financial literacy, dignity and entrepreneurship education for provincial learners and youth through HOPE’s Banking on Our Future program.

“Entrepreneurial knowledge skills and attitudes form an integral part of the Economic and Management Sciences learning area in the General Education and Training band in primary schools and of Business Studies in the Further Education and Training band in high schools.

“It has become increasingly important for school-leavers to have developed a range of managerial, consumer, financial and computer skills to enable them to function optimally in the economy,” Mr Dugmore said. – BuaNews

BuaNews is a South African news service which provides quick and easy access to articles and stories aimed at keeping the public informed about the implementation of government’s mandate.

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Agri SA
E-nuusbrief / E-newsletter

Agri SA, Posbus/ PO Box 1508 Pretoria 0001, Tel +27+12 300 9500, Faks/ Fax +27+12 320 0557

Die weeklikse Agri SA Nuusbrief word saamgestel uit berigte en brokkies van die Algemene Sake-, Bedryfs- en Landboubesigheidskamers, vir u inligting en verspreiding / This weekly Agri SA Newsletter is compiled for your information and use from articles and snippets supplied by the General Affairs,  Commodity and Agricultural  Business Chambers
No: 18/2007
23 Oktober  2007
In die nuusbrief:
? Getuienis voor die MRK mislei
? RGN:  Houdingsopname
? Parlementêre verslag 8 – 19 Oktober 2007
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
? EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HRC MISLEADS
? HSRC:  ATTITUDES SURVEY
? PARLIAMENTARY REPORT 8 – 19 OCTOBER 2007

Ondersteun ons vennote

Agri Securitas Trust Fund Partners
These partners make a contribution towards the safety of the farming community.

Absa AgriBusiness, (011)350 6854 or your nearest Absa branch, Sanlam enquiries:  Adv Kobus Engelbrecht (021) 947 4506  Nissan SA enquiries:  Hennie Kotzé 082 459 7574, CrisisOnCall enquiries:  Marius Vermaak 083 302 7576

The following partners make a considerable contribution in various fields within Agri SA.  With their financial contributions, these partners have already demonstrated their support for the farmer and agriculture.

Barloworld, enquiries: Dirk van Rooy 084 589 8555, T & E Finops enquiries:  Esmé Theron 0861 440 666.
Absa AgriBusiness, (011)350 6854 or your nearest Absa branch, Total SA enquiries:  Contact your local co-op or Agri branch. Eskom, enquiries:  Annakie Swanepoel,  (051)404 2665, Agri SA Group Provident Fund, enquiries Sakkie Hurd at (012)431 3333 or sakkieh@absa.co.za. as well as Land Bank

Agri SA het groot waardering vir die vennote se betrokkenheid by die organisasie en die breë landbou.
ABSA/AGRI SECURITAS GHOLF REEKS TEN BATE VAN PLAASVEILIGHEID
Navrae:  Lans Pepler – progolfm@telkomsa.net of Sel:  082 787 2472

ERKENNING WORD AAN DIE VOLGENDE NASIONALE BORGE GEGEE
Mutual & Federal Agri, Vodacom, Pannar, Omnia, Barloworld Motor, Landbouweekblad, Ford SA, Sanlam, Alexander Forbes and Golf Heaven
Getuienis voor die MRK mislei
Kobus Kleynhans

Tydens die openbare verhore na plaasgemeenskappe, is getuienis aan die MRK voorgelê dat ‘n 14 jarige seun na ‘n ongeluk met ‘n kragaangedrewe masjien op ‘n plaas in Noord-Wes gesterf het.  Daar is ook beweer dat die masjien onvoldoende beveilig was en dat die betrokke boer nalatig opgetree het.

Intussen het die hof waar die betrokke boer tereggestaan het op ‘n aanklag van strafbare manslag of alternatiewelik nalatigheid en ‘n oortreding van artikel 8 (1) van die Wet op Beroepsveiligheid, Wet 85 van 1993, uitspraak gelewer.

Die uitspraak kan kortliks soos volg saamgevat word:

• Die hof het getuienis aanvaar dat die oorledene 17 jaar oud was ten tye van die voorval en nie 14 jaar soos beweer is nie.  Dit kom dus daarop neer dat die oorledene wettig in diens geneem is ingevolge artikels 43 en 44 van die Wet op Basiese Diensvoorwaardes en klousule 25 van Sektorale Vasstelling no 13 (Plaaswerkers).
• Die hof het die beskuldigde vrygespreek op die klag van strafbare manslag.
• Wat betref die klag van ‘n oortreding van artikel 8 (1) van die Wet op Beroepsveiligheid is die boer ook vrygespreek.  In haar uitspraak het die landdros onder andere opgemerk dat die inspekteur van die Departement van Arbeid bevooroordeeld was in die aflegging van sy getuienis.  Die landdros het die verdediging se getuienis aanvaar dat die masjien behoorlik beveilig was; dat die gedeelte van die masjien waar die ongeluk voorgekom het ‘n behoorlik waarskuwingsteken vertoon het wat selfs ongeletterdes kan verstaan; en dat die boer die werkers opgelei het in die hantering van die masjien.

Agri SA het die MRK skriftelik versoek dat die hof se uitspraak deeglik in ag geneem word wanneer die getuienis wat tydens die verhoor voorgelê is oorweeg word.

Die insident kan, en het waarskynlik, skade gedoen aan die beeld van die boer as werkgewer.  In die geval het die betrokke boer, Karools van den Heever, soos ‘n redelike mens opgetree en het die hof hom gelyk gegee.  Boere word nietemin by herhaling bedag gemaak daarop dat beroepsveiligheid op plase en die gebruik van kinderarbeid sterk in die soeklig is, nie net in Suid Afrika nie, maar ook Internasionaal deur die werking van die Internasionale Arbeidsorganisasie.  Boere moet dus besondere sorg aan die dag lê in die verband.

RGN:  Houdingsopname
Kobus Visser, Direkteur:  Korporatiewe Skakeling

Die RGN onderneem jaarliks ‘n nasionale opname bekend as die “South African Social Attitudes Survey”.  Jaarliks word ‘n  steeksproef van 7000 respondente ouer as 16 jaar uit die RGN se databasis getrek om ‘n verteenwoordigende prentjie van die mense van Suid-Afrika te kry.  Die fokus in vanjaar se houdingsopname sal fokus op die geïdentifiseerde nasionale prioriteitsareas wat insluit die demokrasie en regering, interpersoonlike verhoudings, armoede en sosiale uitsluiting, welvaart en werk en dienslewering.  Die studie word gelyktydig in al nege provinsies onderneem en sal help om te bepaal hoe baie of hoe min mense in Suid-Afrika se opinies en uitkyk oor die kwessies verskil.

Persoonlike onderhoude sal met respondente tuis gevoer word wat grondeienaars en ook plaaswerkers sal insluit.  Dit sal tot gevolg hê dat plase vir die doel besoek sal moet word deur gemagtigde beamptes van die RGN.  In dié verband, het die RGN, Agri SA skriftelik ingelig oor die voorgenome besoeke en het die organisasie kennis daarvan geneem.  In sy antwoord het Agri SA die RGN ingelig oor die protokol vir plaastoegang en dat in dié geval dit volgens die protokol nodig sal wees om vooraf ‘n afspraak te maak om die plaas te besoek.  Die RGN is ook versoek om met Agri SA se provinsiale affiliasies kontak te maak en in te lig oor die opname.  Relevante inligting oor die opname is reeds aan die affiliasies beskikbaar gestel.

Parlementêre verslag 8 – 19 Oktober 2007
Annelize Crosby, Parlementêre verteenwoordiger, Adviseur:  Regs- & Grondsake

Voorlegging aan Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou en Grondsake

Jaarverslae:  Landbounavorsingsraad (LNR), Nasionale Bemarkingsraad en Departement van Landbou
Die Landbounavorsingsraad (LNR) en die Nasionale Bemarkingsraad het beide op 11 Oktober 2007 hul jaarverslae aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou en Grondsake voorgehou.  Dr Shadrack Moephuli, Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van die LNR het die voorlegging gedoen.  Hy het die mandaat van die LNR asook spesifieke doelwitte van die organisasie uitgespel.  Die LNR beskou dit as sy rol om maksimum waarde toe te voeg tot primêre landbouprodukte binne die landbou-waardeketting, asook om die volhoubare gebruik van natuurlike hulpbronne te bevorder, navorsing te doen oor klimaatsverandering, peste en plae te help uitroei en te help om markte vir landbouprodukte  te groei en ontwikkel.  Die LNR het onder andere 35 boere in Limpopo opgelei in produktsietegnologie en besigheidsvaardighede om hulle in staat te stel om betrokke te raak in die biobrandstof industrie.  Die LNR is besig om ‘n nuwe rigting in te slaan, en is in ‘n proses om sy interne stelsels te verbeter. 

Mr Tshelilo Ramabulana, die Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van die Bemarkingsraad het hul voorlegging hanteer.  Die Raad is onlangs nuut saamgestel met Me. Ntombi Msimang as Voorsitster en Dr Karaan as Vise-Voorsitter.   Mnr Ramabulana het die Bemarkingsraad se mandaat en programme aan die Komitee voorgehou.  Hy het gesê dat die Raad sukkel met begrotingsbeperkings.  Daar word tans ‘n nuwe Bemarkingswet geskryf, wat binne die volgende paar maande gepubliseer sal word.  Dit volg op die aanbevelings van die Bemarkings-hersieningskomitee.  Daar was heelwat bespreking oor voedelselpryse.  Dr Mohammed Karaan het gewaarsku dat daar waarskynlik wêreldwyd groot prysstygings in voedselpryse gaan plaasvind in die volgende paar jaar en dat dit daarom nodig is om aan te hou om voedselpryse te monitor.  Die Bemarkingsraad het markontwikkelingsprogramme vir graan en oliesade, sitrus en rooivleis.  Daar is verslag gedoen oor gelde wat gein is dmv statutêre heffings. R149 miljoen is op die wyse ingesamel.  Hiervan is 42% op navorsing gespandeer, 17% op projekte vir opkomende boere, 15% op inligting en 10% op uitvoer-bevordering.  Daar is ook ‘n opsomming gegee van die finansiële posisie van die verskillende industrie-trusts.

Die Departement van Landbou het op 16 Oktober 2007 sy Jaarverslag aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou n Grondsake voorgehou.  Die voorlegging is gedoen deur Mnr Masipula Mbongwa, die Direkteur-Generaal.  Hy het gesê dat die Departement hom in sy aktiwiteite laat lei deur die visie vir die sektor, soos uiteengesit in die Strategiese Plan vir Landbou.  Hy het verslag gedoen oor die verskillende programme waarby die Departement betrokke is.  Hy het gesê dat daar ‘n spesiale program vir voedselsekerheid is en dat 66 000 huishoudings landbou wegspring-pakkette (starter packs) ontvang het.  Hy het verder gesê dat die AgriSEB Handves nou gefinaliseer en gepubliseer is.  Daar sal waarskynlik nou ‘n artikel 12 volg in terme waarvan ‘n Landbou Kode ontwikkel sal word.  ‘n Konsep Rampbestuurplan is ontwikkel.  Die DG het gesê dat die Departement sy inspeksie-en kwarantyn-dienste sal moet verbeter.  Tydens vraetyd het Mnr Mbongwa verwys na die Agri SA kongres waar hy as ‘n spreker opgetree het en ook na die insette van Drs Van Zyl en Kirsten tydens die kongres.  Hy het veral klem gelê op die verslag van die Harvard groep van ekonome, wat die belangrikheid van regeringsteun vir die landbousektor beklemtoon het.  Die Voorsitter het gevra oor eenheid in die sektor, met verwysing na die konflik tussen  die Ministerie en georganiseerde landbou.  Die DG het gesê dat daar sekere reëls bestaan binne die Presidensiële Werkgroep, waarvan een is dat partye sover moontlik moet wegstuur van negatiewe en skadelike uitlatings en eerder hul verskille intern moet probeer oplos.  Hy het verwys na die nuwe forum wat in die lewe geroep is waarop die rolspelers in die sektor sitting sal hê en konsensus sal probeer bereik en het gesê dat dit ‘n positiewe verwikkeling is.  Daar is ook berig dat ‘n ondersoek na voorligtingsdienste onderneem is, na aanleiding waarvan daar sekere aanbevelings gemaak is, wat nou geïmplementeer word.   Nuwe voorligtingsbeamptes word tans opgelei.  Attie Swart het gesê dat die Landbou Sektorplan hersien word.  Hy het gesê dat die Departement intern groot vordering met die implementering van die Sektorplan gemaak het en dat die verskeie Sektorstrategië wat deur onder andere die Graanbedryf, Wynbedryf, Vrugtebedryf en andere aangeneem is, ook bewys van vordering in hierdie verband is.

Departement Grondsake se verslag met aanbevelings oor buitelandse grondbesit
Dr Sipho Sibanda van die Departement Grondsake het op 17 Oktober 2007 ‘n voorlegging gedoen aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou en Grondsake oor die verslag met aanbevelings oor buitelandse grondbesit.  Hy het kortliks met die bevindinge van die verslag gehandel wat daarop neerkom dat buitelanders tussen 1 en 3% van grond besit in Suid-Afrika, afhangende van die tipe grond wat ter sprake is.  Die syfers is ‘n beraming, aangesien die inligting oor hoeveel grond deur buitelandse maatskappye n trust besit word, nie bekend is nie.  Volgens die verslag word 27.45% van alle plase deur maatskappye, BK’s en trusts besit.  Die waarde van hierdie plase verteenwoordig egter 78.09% van die totale waarde van alle plase in Suid-Afrika.  Die Verslag beveel aan dat daar gedwonge bekendmaking van inligting oor die ras en geslag van grondeienaars moet wees.  Dit het ‘n warm debat ontketen, waar die DA sterk standpunt ingeneem het teen sodanige stap.  Selfs van die ANC Komiteelede het gewaarsku dat daar baie sensitief met die kwessie omgegaan moet word.  Daar is ook aanbeveel dat daar ‘n twee jaar moratorium op die vervreemding van staatsgrond aan buitelanders geplaas moet word en dat Ministeriële toestemming vir sekere transaksies verkry moet word.  Die verslag is gepubliseer vir kommentaar.

EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HRC MISLEADS
Kobus Kleynhans

At the public hearings into farming communities, evidence was submitted to the HRC that a 14-year-old boy died following an accident with a power driven machine on a farm in North West.

The court where the farmer was charged on counts of culpable homicide or, in the alternative negligence through non compliance with section 8 (1) of Act no 85 of 1993 (Occupational Health and Safety Act), has now handed down judgment.

The verdict can briefly be summarized as follows:

• The court accepted evidence that the deceased was in fact 17 years of age and not 14 as was alleged.  This means that in terms of section 43 and 44 of the BCEA and clause 25 of Sectoral Determination no 13 (Farm Worker Sector) the deceased had been employed legally by the farmer.
• The accused was acquitted on the charge of culpable homicide.
• On the charge of contravention of section 8 (1) of Act No 85 of 1993, the accused was also acquitted. In her judgment the magistrate stated, inter alia, that the inspector of the Department of Labour, in giving evidence, had been biased. The magistrate accepted the evidence led by the defense to the effect that the machine was properly guarded;  that the part of the machine where the accident happened was properly marked with warning signs which even an illiterate person could understand;  and that the workers had been trained by the farmer to operate the machine.

Agri SA requested the HRC in writing that the court’s judgment be taken into account when the evidence submitted during the hearings are considered.  The incident could, and perhaps did cause damage to the image of the farmer as employer.  In this case the farmer, Karools van den Heever, acted like a reasonable person and the court accepted that.

Farmers are nevertheless once again alerted to the fact that occupational safety and the use of child labour on farms are very much the focus of the labour world, not only in South Africa, but also Internationally through the International Labour Organisation.  Farmers should therefore take particular care in this regard.

HSRC:  ATTITUDES SURVEY
Kobus Visser, Director:  Corporate Liaison

The HSRC each year conducts a national survey known as the “South African Social Attitudes Survey”.  Each year a sample of 7 000 respondents older than 16 years is drawn from the HSRC database to obtain a representative picture of people in South Africa.  This year’s survey will focus on the identified national priority areas, including democracy and government, interpersonal relationships, poverty and social exclusion, prosperity, work and service delivery.  The study is conducted simultaneously in all nine provinces and will help to determine how much or little the opinions and perceptions of South Africans differ with regard to certain issues.

Personal interviews will be conducted with respondents at their homes, including landowners and farm workers.  This means that farms must be visited by authorised HSRC officials.  For this purpose the HSRC has informed Agri SA in writing of its proposed visits, of which the organisation took cognisance.  In its response, Agri SA informed the HSRC about its Protocol for Farm Access and that, in terms of the protocol, a prior appointment would have to be made to visit a farm.  The HSRC was also requested to contact Agri SA’s provincial affiliates to inform them of the survey. Relevant information regarding the survey has already been made available to the affiliates.

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT 8 – 19 OCTOBER 2007
Annelize Crosby, Parliamentary representative, Adviser: Legal and Land Affairs

Submission to Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs

Annual Reports: Agricultural Research Council (ARC, National Marketing Council and Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the National Marketing Council both submitted their respective Annual Reports to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs on 11 October 2007.  Dr Shadrack Moephuli, Chief Executive Officer of the ARC, made a presentation, spelling out the mandate of the ARC as well as specific objectives of the organisation.  The ARC regards it as its role to add maximum value to primary agricultural products within the agricultural value chain, and also to promote sustainable use of natural resources, to conduct research regarding climate change, to help eradicate pests and to help expand and develop markets for agricultural products.  The ARC has, among other things, trained 35 farmers in Limpopo in business technology and business skills to enable them to become involved in the bio-fuel industry.  The ARC has adopted a new course of action and is in the process of improving its internal systems.

Mr Tshelilo Ramabulana, the Chief Executive Officer of the Marketing Council dealt with their submission.  A new Council was appointed recently, with Ms Ntombi Msimang as chair and Dr Karaan as vice-chair.  Mr Ramabulana presented the Marketing Council’s mandate and programmes to the Committee.  He said the Council was struggling with budget constraints.  A new Marketing Act was being drafted and would be published within the next few months.  This follows the recommendations made by the Marketing Review Committee.  A lively discussion on food prices followed.  Dr Mohammed Karaan warned that there would probably be food price increases during the next few years and that it would therefore be necessary to continue monitoring such prices.  The Marketing Council has marketing development programmes in place for grain, oil seed, citrus and red meat.  Feedback was provided on the funds collected through statutory levies.  R149 million was collected in this way, of which 42% was spent on research, 17% on projects for emerging farmers, 15% on information and 10% on export promotion.  A summary was also provided regarding the financial position of the different industry trusts.

The Department of Agriculture presented its Annual Report to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs on 16 October 2007.  The Director-General, Mr Masipula Mbongwa, made the presentation.  He said the Department had allowed its activities to be led by the vision for the sector as set out in the Strategic Plan for Agriculture and reported on the different programmes in which the Department is involved.  He said there was a special programme for food security and that 66 000 households had received starter packs.  He added that the AgriBEE Charter had now been finalised and published.  A section 12 process will probably now follow in terms of which a Code would be developed for agriculture.  A draft Disaster Management Plan has been developed.  The DG said the Department would have to improve its inspection and quarantine services.  During question time Mr Mbongwa referred to the Agri SA Congress where he had been a speaker, and also to the inputs made by Drs Van Zyl and Kirsten during the Congress.  He made specific mention of the report of the Harvard group of economists who had emphasised the importance of government support for the agricultural sector.  The chairperson asked about unity within the sector with reference to the conflict between the Ministry and organised agriculture.  The DG said there were certain rules within the Presidential Working Group, one of which is that parties should as far as possible avoid making negative and harmful statements and should instead try to resolve their differences internally.  He referred to the new forum that had been established where role players in the sector would be represented and would try to reach consensus.  He said this was a positive development.  It was also reported that an inquiry had been conducted into extension services in the light of certain recommendations, which are now being implemented.  New extension officers are being trained at present.  Attie Swart said the Sector Plan for Agriculture was being reviewed.  The Department had made good progress with the implementation of the Sector Plan and various sector strategies adopted by the grain, wine, fruit and other industries serve as proof that progress had indeed been made in this regard.

Department of Land Affairs’ report, with recommendations on foreign landownership
On 17 October 2007 Dr Sipho Sibanda of the Department of Land Affairs made a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs regarding the report containing recommendations on foreign land ownership.  He dealt briefly with the findings in the report, which indicate that between 1% and 3% of South African land is owned by foreigners, depending on the type of land involved.  The figures represent an estimate since it is unknown how much land is owned by foreign companies in the form of trusts and companies.  According to the report, 27,45% of all farms are owned by companies, CCs and trusts.  The value of these farms, however, comprises 78,09% of the total value of all farms in South Africa.  The report recommended that owners should be compelled to disclose information regarding their race and gender.  A heated debate followed, with the DA adopting a strong stance against such a step.  Even some ANC members of the Committee warned that the matter should be handled in a very sensitive manner. It was also recommended that a two-year moratorium be placed on the alienation of state land in favour of foreigners and that Ministerial consent should be obtained for certain transactions.  The report was published for commentary.

RSG LandbouNuus

Agri SA, MPO SA en Graan SA is gesamentlik verantwoordelik vir die RSG LandbouNuus program wat van Maandag tot Donderdag tussen 12:30 en 12:45 op RSG uitgesaai word.  ‘n Seleksie van die week se programme word nou Donderdagoggende om 04:30 uitgesaai.  Die program word ondersteun deur borge en bevat aktuele landbounuus en aktualiteitsbesprekings en op Maandae en Donderdae word daar kortliks na die weer gekyk.

Erkenning word aan die volgende borge en medewerkers gegee- wat van die program ‘n sukses help maak:  Agri SA, MPO, Graan SA, Agri Connect, Agri Bonus, Phizer, UniGrain, Cape Wools’ SA, The Maize Trust, Olie Advieskomitee, Voermol, Sanlam Cobalt, Vodacom en Pannar.
 

AgriTV

SABC 2  Maandae – Vrydae 05:45
SABC Africa (kanaal 53) Sondae 12:30

Ons spreek oudergewoonte landboukwessies aan, kyk na die jongste markpryse.
We have a look at what the weather holds.
 Lekker boer! / Enjoy your farming!

Hierdie nuusbrief word saamgestel en uitgereik deur Agri SA Korporatiewe Skakeling
This newsletter is compiled and issued by Agri SA Corporate Liaison