This project started as a community project, we were looking for ways to employ unemployed school leavers and in doing so we found this resource. We trained them to make bio fuels with vegetable oils, then found there to be a shortage of old vegetable oils and started to investigate new resources. We found a plant that produce from 4000 liters of oil per hectare , Jatropha curcas.

Summary:

Bio diesel is without a doubt the way of the future. Environmentally speaking, surveys have shown the long-term effects of using bio diesel in conventional diesel engines. It is important for this generation establish a long-term vision to ensure sustainable development is South Africa and all around the world.

Bio diesel is environmentally friendly, and will improve the quality of life for all living organisms on planet earth. The comprehensive body of bio diesel data serves to demonstrate the significant benefits of bio diesel to the environment and to public health overall. Across the globe environmental concerns and energy security issues have prompted legislation and regulatory actions spurring demand for alternative fuels such as bio diesel. However, the greatest driving force for the use of bio diesel and bio diesel blends is the need to have a fuel that fulfills all of the environmental and energy needs of the world today.

Bio Diesel is the way of the future

For a truly renewable source of oil, crops or other similar cultivatable sources would have to be considered. Plants can offer a sustainable oil source for bio diesel production. Different plants produce usable oil at different rates. Some studies have shown the following annual producing capabilities as follows per hectare in liters:

Soybean – 400 – 450
Sunflower – 600 – 800
Rapeseed – 1200
Jatropha curcas – 4000

The oil producing capabilities of the Jatropha tree furthermore seemed to outmatch its nearest competition by far. Sources suggest that Jatropha curcas can even produce up to 6000 liters of oil per hectare.

Jatropha curcas

Jatropha is a very exciting process in the oil industry, as is being reported all around the world.

It is envisaged that approximately 63 000 hectares of the Jatropha will be planted in Namibia by the year 2013, which would contribute N$189 million to GDP.
The oil is likely to be used in the bio-energy sector for blending into commercial diesel, decentralized on farm-blending into agricultural diesel, for exports to niche markets, running an envisaged 12 small 1MW decentralized power station and other uses such as soap making and substitution for paraffin.

Jatropha curcas is a drought-resistant perennial, growing well in marginal/poor soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and lives, producing fruit for 50 years. It produces seed with oil content of 37 % the oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. The by-products are press cake- a good organic fertilizer. The oil also contains insecticides. Medically it is used for treating diseases like cancer, snakebites, paralysis etc.

Properties of Jatropha curcas

Family: euphorbiaceae (spurge family).

Jatropha thrives on infertile soil, a good crop can be obtained with very little effort. Depending on the soil quality and rainfall, oil can be extracted from the seeds after two to five years. The kernels can consist of up to about 60% oil – this can be transformed into bio diesel through the processes explained above.

The origin of this tree seems to be unknown, but it is believed to have come from Mexico and South America. It has spread all across the world, but is available in South Africa.

it is a small shrub-like tree with smooth gray bark. It exudes a whitish colored latex. The tree can grow up to between 3 to 5 meters in height and even higher. Jatropha is also known as the physic nut.

There are male – and female plant of Jatropha curcas.
The black thin-shelled seeds are considered toxic; they contain the toxalbumin curcin and this makes them fatally toxic.
Roasting the seeds seems to kill the toxic.

The fruit contains 2 – or 3 large black, oily seeds. The flowers are green-yellow and yellow when ripe. The leaves of the tree are green to pale-green, three-to five-lobed structure.
Physic nut has insecticidal – and fungicidal properties. It is a drought resistant shrub with a smooth gray bark.
 

Caution is advised when using physic nut!

When irrigated it produces seeds during the whole year.
The amount of oil produced per hectare increases annually.

In Suriname’s traditional medicine, the leaves of this plant are used
* against stomachache, diagnosed in children:
* boiled leaves for conditions of the gums and throat;
* tea of the leaves for stoppage of urine, constipation, backache and inflammation

Managing Director of Biofuels Industry Development in South Africa, Fanie Brink, South Africa is set to go the mandatory route of setting targets for blending bio-fuels with fossil fuels in the near future, which will in turn create new markets for the fuels.
It assumes an energy intensive economy in the foreseeable future with large dependence on electricity, liquid fuel and other household energy sources.

It hints that the rapid development of Jatropha holds the key to rapid bio-energy future because it is already grown and carries fruit under dry land conditions in the identified areas of Namibia, although it is not yet domesticated. The plant is widely cultivated in Africa, India, Central America and India. It will eventually influence the whole world.

Jatropha offers a spectrum of potential uses, apart from the principle imperative of bio diesel production.

WHOLE PLANT: Erosion control, hedges and crop protection
SEED FRUIT SHELL: Burning fuel
SEED OIL: Production of bio diesel through the method explained above (esterification)
SEED CAKE: Soap production, organic fertilizer, chemical production, glycerin and biodegradable cutter bar lubricant.

Jatropa Curcas

 

The fruits are produced in winter when the shrubs are leafless, or it may produce several crops during the year if soil moisture is good and temperatures are sufficiently high. Each inflorescence yields a bunch of approximately 10 or more fruits. The seed becomes ripe after about two to four months.

The leaves shed during the winter and the organic material from the shed leaves enhance earth worm activity around the roots.
The following yield can be reached under cultivation.

2 500 trees per hectare on 2×2 meters
 

Year 1 – 250 kg/ha, seed equate to 115 kg oil
Year 2 – 1000 kg/ha seed equate to 460 kg oil
Year 3 – 5000 kg/ha seed equate to 2300 kg oil
Year 6 – 12 000 kg/ha seed equate to 5520 kg oil.

References recommend spacing of 2m x 1.5 m to 3m x 3m for plantations. Interplanting can be done with mulberry. The trees handle dryness very well and it is possible to live almost entirely of the humidity in the air.
500 – 600 mm per year is the lower limit, below it the production will be dependent on local water conditions. It will also stand for long periods without water (2 years) and then grow again when rain falls. Jatropha is seen as an invasive species and toxic, especially to children.

Freshly harvested seeds show dormancy and after ripening is necessary before the seeds can normally germinate readily without pre-treatment. The seeds should be dried to low-moisture content (5-7%) and stored in airtight containers.

A new avenue of commercial farming is opening up for rural people. A tree that yields cleaner, cheaper energy has the potential to pull thousands from the poverty trap.
For more than 50 years, rural South Africans have grown the jatropha carcus tree, known to thousands of KwaZulu-Natalians as Maluku, for medicinal purposes.
Little did they know that the tree’s seeds bear bio-diesel, with the capability to run any diesel car, truck or generator without the engine needing modification. The fuel, once extracted from the seed, is thought to produce up to 80 percent less carbon-dioxide than conventional diesel.

Charmaine Coetzee. Cell/ 0824942012

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Onbehoorlike Regeringsinmenging met Waterregverhandeling onaanvaarbaar vir Agri SA

AGRI SA OBJECTS TO UNDUE GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN SALE OF WATER RIGHTS
 

20 November 2008

Onbehoorlike Regeringsinmenging met Waterregverhandeling onaanvaarbaar vir Agri SA
‘n Afvaardiging van Agri SA onder leiding van sy president, Mnr Johannes Möller het gister met DWAF (Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou) vergader ten einde dié Departement se blokkering van die verhandeling van watergebruiksregte te bespreek. DWAF is onder andere verteenwoordig deur Dr Sizwe Mkhize, Adjunk Direkteur-generaal en Me Deborah Mochotlhi, Hoofdirekteur: Watergebruik. Volgens Mnr Möller was hierdie gesprek dringend noodsaaklik aangesien daar tans meer as honderd gevalle landwyd is waar boere nie toegelaat word om watergebruiksregte te verhandel nie.
Hy het daarop gewys dat hierdie verhandeling, gegewe die skaarsheid van water in Suid-Afrika, vanselfsprekend nodig is om die beste ekonomiese aanwending daarvan te verseker.  “Dit is ondenkbaar dat waterregte wat in die meerderheid van gevalle deur boere gekoop is nie verkoop mag word binne die markmeganisme wat die beste aanwending daarvan sal verseker nie”, het hy gesê. Volgens Mnr Möller staan DWAF die vrye verhandeling van waterregte teen op grond van die Waterwet wat waterreghervorming vereis en meer spesifiek Artikel 27 van dié Wet wat verwys na die noodsaak om diskriminasie van die verlede reg te stel. Dit geskied terwyl die Watertribunaal reeds bepaalde gevalle in hierdie verband oorweeg en die gepaardgaande verhandeling in terme van Artikel 25 van die Wet goedgekeur het.
Möller is van mening dat die landbou se swart ekonomiese bemagtigingshandves (SEB-handves) wat in Maart vanjaar gepubliseer is, volledig met hierdie aangeleentheid kan handel en dat DWAF soos wat tans die geval is, nie hulle eie SEB-voorskrifte moet uitreik nie.  “Die riglyne wat van DWAF verkry is, is na ons mening totaal uit lyn uit met die algemene voorskrifte van die SEB-wet en ook met die generiese praktykkodes wat in Februarie 2007 uitgereik is,” het hy gesê.  Volgens hom moet daar deur middel van ‘n SEB-handvesraad eie praktykkodes vir die landbou ontwikkel word en daar is ook aan DWAF uitgewys dat hulle politieke mandaat volledig hierin opgeneem kan word.

Daar kon tydens die samesprekings nie ‘n volledige ooreenkoms met DWAF bereik word nie. Volgens Mnr Möller is daar egter ooreengekom oor die volgende:

·           Die aansoeke vir waterregverhandeling wat steeds nie hanteer is nie sal binne die konteks van bestaande SEB-wetgewing evalueer word in ‘n poging om dit spoedeisend af te handel.

·           Daar sal in werkgroepverband aandag geskenk word aan metodes om waterreghervorming as deel van die landbou SEB-handves te hanteer.

·           Daar sal met behulp van ‘n gevallestudie aangetoon word in welke mate besproeiingsboerderye reeds bydra tot SEB-doelwitte en met behulp hiervan sal riglyne vir die toekomstige hantering van waterregverhandeling ontwikkel word.

Möller het gesê dat die vergadering dui op beperkte vordering en dat die regsopsie steeds ‘n wesenlike moontlikheid bly as daar nie met voorvermelde ooreenkoms sinvol gevorder word nie.

Uitgereik deur Direktoraat:  Korporatiewe Skakeling

Navrae:          Mnr Johannes Möller, Agri SA President,  082 647 8481

                        Johan Pienaar, Adjunk Uitvoerende Direkteur, 082 388 0006

AGRI SA OBJECTS TO UNDUE GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN SALE OF WATER RIGHTS

An Agri SA delegation led by its president, Mr Johannes Möller, met yesterday with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) to discuss the department’s interference with trade in water use rights.  DWAF was represented by, among others, Dr Sizwe Mkhize, the Deputy Director-General, and Ms Deborah Mochotlhi, Chief Director: Water Use.  According to Mr Möller, this discussion was urgent as there are at present more than 100 cases countrywide where farmers are not allowed to sell their water rights.

He pointed out that given the water scarcity in South Africa, such trading was clearly necessary to ensure the most economic use of water.  “It is unthinkable that water rights, which in most cases were purchased by farmers, may not be sold within the market mechanism which would ensure the best utilisation thereof,” he said. According to Mr Möller, DWAF was opposing free trade in water rights based on the Water Act, which advocates the need for rights reform, and more specifically section 27 of this Act, which refers to the need to address discrimination of the past.  This takes place while the Water Tribunal had already considered certain cases in this regard, and has approved such trade in terms of section 25 of the Act.

Möller was of the opinion that agriculture’s black economic empowerment charter (BEE Charter) published in March this year, could deal fully with this matter and that DWAF should not, as is currently the case, issue their own BEE prescripts. “The guidelines obtained from DWAF are, in our opinion, totally incompatible with the general provisions of the BEE Act and also with the generic codes of good practice issued in February 2007,” he said.  According to Möller, unique codes of good practice should be developed for agriculture via a BEE Charter Council, and the DWAF had also been informed that their political mandate could be fully incorporated therein.

During discussions full agreement could not be reached with the DWAF.  According to Mr Möller, however, agreement was reached on the following:

·           Applications for trade in water right that have not yet been processed, would be evaluated within the context of existing BEE legislation with a view to urgent finalisation.

·           Attention would be given within working group context to methods whereby water rights reform could be dealt with as part of agriculture’s BEE Charter.

·           With the help of a case study, the extent to which irrigation farmers already contribute to BEE objectives would be quantified, and guidelines would be developed accordingly for future trade in water rights.

Möller said the meeting was indicative of the lack of progress made and that the legal option remained a possibility should no meaningful progress be made with the aforementioned agreement.

Issued by the Directorate: Corporate Liaison

Enquiries:     Mr Johannes Möller, Agri SA President,  082 647 8481

                        Mr Johan Pienaar, Deputy Executive Director, 082 388 0006

Thea Liebenberg
Mediaskakelbeampte / Media Liaison Officer
Tel:  012-300 9500 
Sel:  082 388 0008
Fax:  012-320 0557
e-mail:  thea@agrisa.co.za

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Pest control of ants and termites.Ants which appear in the garden, domestic and industrial environment become an uncontrollable nuisance. There are hundreds of different species.  The treatment of ants/termites is a very labor intensive exercise. The success rate is good, but we will never get rid of them 100%. The main nest can be 500m away from the area they appear.  To spray them with domestic pesticides you only kill the ones you see.  Structural damages caused by ants and termites can be severe.  Usually when termite activity is noticed, severe structural damage already took place.  Immediate treatment to prevent further damage is essential.

Pest control of Cockroaches. Cockroaches are one of the most irritating and endurable pests we have in our homes and industrial environment.  They appear in all places.  The most common one is the German cockroaches which normally appear in the kitchen.  They are small and brown of color.  They have the ability to multi play to an unexpected rate.   2 Cockroaches – 50 000 cockroaches per year.  They can life in temperatures from 18 degrees to 75 with ease.   Cockroaches can life for two weeks without water and a month without food.   Cockroach infestation is a risk for humans.  A study done in America in 2005 proofed that cockroaches can promote allergies like asthma.  Food contaminated by cockroaches may lead to serious diarrhea.

Controling pests like Fleas. Fleas are a common domestic pest in hot humid areas.  Homes with pets tend to have a bigger problem with fleas.  Fleas are only staying on the pet (host) to feed.  They live in the sand or lawn surfaces in the garden.  Even in the house in the carpets or bedding. Flea eggs can survive up to 9 month in the sand.  They are breeding rapidly and cause an irritation which can lead to signs.  Any pet, human or other pests like rodents are hosts of fleas.  It is very important to treat the pets when the domestic area is treated.

Pest control information regarding bedbugs.As for fleas bedbugs are only on the host to feed.  They only appear when it is dark.  Nest normally in the furniture or bedding.  The bite marks is red with a light circle around the mark.  A few bite marks not far from each other and it itch a lot.Rodents are appearing more and more in the domestic environment and are really becoming a pest to take note of.  Damage to the home structure and vehicles are evident.  Two rodents can multi ply to 18000 rodents in one year.  When you see or hear one there will be defiantly more than 5 already.Birds are difficult to control.  Prevention is the best way of bird control.  The control of food spillages and the control on nests are ways of controlling birds.

Controling Spiders and Scorpions. Spiders and scorpions are some of the most dangerous pests in your domestic environment.  These pests can cause serious injury which can relate in death if not treated.Flying insect’s best control is to prevent them.  This is difficult.  In the case of bees and wasps the best way is to deal with the nest.  In hot humid conditions bees and wasps do get more aggressive. Dogs and cats contaminate stock in the industrial environment.  They do not assist in the combat of other pests.  Therefore they become a pest themselves.

The vision of a pest contol service must be to provide effective pest control services. The mission to deliver an efficient cost effective domestic and industrial pest control service to clients to enable them to provide their clients with a pest free service delivery. Goals of pest control services are: Cost effective, efficient, professional and effective service delivery.Small client base, service delivery of a high standard.Loyal support to clients.Support clients in the prevention of pests and proactive approach to cut on the usage of pesticides in the food industry. Technical support, pest elimination, the enhancing of sanitation and safety audits to create a healthier and safer environment for all. A monitoring system to ensure proper control in the surrendering of a proper service should be executed in line with Hazard Analysis and Critical control Point (HACCAP) and ISO 9000 (International Quality Standards) systems.

PEST CONTROL PRETORIA

PEST CONTROL
SERVICES

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

- 2 -
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.

- 3 -
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.
- 6 -
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
- 7 -
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

This page is sponsored by SA Towns and ADSSA – SOUTH AFRICA DESTINATIONS and WEB DESIGN

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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 Agri SA Nuusbrief word saamgestel uit berigte en brokkies van die Algemene Sake-, Bedryfs- en Landboubesigheidskamers, vir u inligting en verspreiding
This Agri SA Newsletter is compiled for your information and use from articles and snippets supplied by the General Affairs,  Commodity and Agricultural  Business Chambers

4 Junie 2008
10/2008
In die nuusbrief:
? Openbare verhore oor Onteieningswetsontwerp
? Presidensiële Werksgroep vir Kommersiële Landbou
? Agri SA kommentaar aan NERSA
? VN Kommissie vir volhoubare ontwikkeling
? Die Agri tydskrif beskikbaar op die web
? ENGEN/OFM Sportaand groot sukses
? As Jongboer is ek lus vir die boerdery – ek is hier om te bly!
? Geleenthede bestaan vir ‘n suksesvolle boerdery
? Parlementêre verslag: 5 – 9 Mei 2008

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
? SCHEDULE:  PUBLIC HEARINGS ON EXPROPRIATION BILL
? PROVINCIAL HEARINGS ON EXPROPRIATION BILL
? PRESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE WORKING GROUP
? AGRI SA COMMENTARY TO NERSA
? UN COMMISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
? THE AGRI MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET
? ENGEN/OFM SPORTS EVENING A GREAT SUCCESS
? AS A YOUNG FARMER, I LOVE FARMING – I AM HERE TO STAY!
? OPPORTUNITIES EXIST TO ESTABLISH A SUCCESSFUL FARMING OPERATION
? PARLIAMENTARY REPORT: 5 – 9 MAY 2008
? THE SASOL INZALO SHARE INVITATION

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

    ABSA / Agri Securitas gholfdae
Vrystaat 5 Junie Schoemanpark – Bloemfontein
KwaZulu Natal 26 Junie Pietermaritzburg Gholfklub
Oos-Kaap 22 Julie Port Elizabeth
Wes-Kaap 28 Augustus Devonvale – Stellenbosch
Mpumalanga 18 September Graceland Gholfklub
Noord-Kaap 23 Oktober Upington Gholfklub
Limpopo 30 Oktober Polokwane Gholfklub
Noordwes 6 November Rustenburg Gholfklub
Naamborg:  Absa  Hoofborg:  Santam  
Nasionale borge:  Barloworld Motor, Mutual & Federal Agri, Alexnader Forbes, Ford SA, Phizer,
Total SA, Clover, Landbouweekblad en Farmers Weekly
Navrae kan aan Lans Pepler gerig word by (021) 872 8539 of e-pos progolfm@telkomsa.net
Openbare verhore oor Onteieningswetsontwerp
Annelize Crosby, Parlementêre verteenwoordiger, Adviseur:  Regs- & Grondsake

“Die Portefeuljekomitee op Openbare Werke is tans besig om openbare verhore in die provinsies te hou oor die omstrede Onteieningswetsontwerp.  Agri SA moedig sy affiliasies aan om deel te neem aan hierdie verhore.  Agri SA se skriftelike voorlegging oor die wetsontwerp, asook ander ondersteunende dokumentasie is aan Provinsiale Unies beskikbaar gestel en is op aanvraag beskikbaar.  Dit is belangrik dat lede hul standpunte oor die wetsontwerp duidelik stel en laat notuleer by hierdie vergaderings.  Ander rolspelers soos sakelui, prokureurs en eiendomsagente behoort ook aangemoedig te word om die verhore by te woon en insette te lewer.

Die program van verhore word as aparte dokument hierby aangeheg en is ook beskikbaar op Agri SA se webwerf www.agrisa.co.ca

Presidensiële Werksgroep vir Kommersiële Landbou

‘n Vergadering van die Presidensiële Kommersiële Landbou-werksgroep, waarvan President Thabo Mbeki die voorsitter is, het op Mei 2008 in Kaapstad plaasgevind.  Die vergadering is bygewoon deur verskeie kabinet ministers en amptenare van verskeie staatsdepartemente.

Die Minister van Landbou en Grondsake het in haar openingsopmerkings verwys na die onlangse CSD16 vergadering wat sy in New York bygewoon het waar die behoefte aan hoër landbouproduksie uitgelig is.  Sy het ook verwys na werk wat gedoen is sedert die vorige Presidensiële werksgroepvergadering, naamlik afhandeling van die AgriSEB-handves proses, die samestelling van ‘n handvesraad, voorsiening vir ramphulp en vordering met die hersiening van die Sektorplan.  Die President het gevra dat finalisering van die hersieningsproses bespoedig word en dat die taakgroep dit moet afhandel teen die einde van Junie 2008.

Agri SA het sy tevredenheid met die konsepverslag oor die hersiening van die Sektorplan uitgespreek.  Daar is weereens daarop gewys dat met klein wysigings die huidige Sektorplan steeds voldoen aan die vereistes van rolspelers onder huidige omstandighede.  Volgens Agri SA, verteenwoordig die Sektorplan ‘n versigtig gebalanseerde sintese van aspirasies en bree doelstellings, wat nie beskou moet word as ‘n implementeringsplan nie.  Die verslag het tekortkominge ten opsigte van implementering uitgewys waarop die taakspan met wanneer hulle die hersieningsproses finaliseer.

Minister Xingwana het aan die President genoem dat sy met die belangegroepe samesprekings gevoer oor die verwysingsraamwerk en samestelling van ‘n landbou-adviesraad.  Sodanige raad sal die minister en prinsipale van belangegroepe ‘n geleentheid bied om politieke kwessies en strategiese opsies binne die breër landbou-omgewing te bespreek wat oorweeg moet word ten einde die bedryf vorentoe te neem.

Agri SA het, onder andere, genoem dat boere nie prysmakers is nie; dat maatreëls benodig word om plaaslike produksie te stimuleer sodat die opwaartse druk op voedsel gestuit kan word; dat vinnig stygende insetkoste op plaasvlak ‘n groot bron van kommer is aangesien dit toekomstige produksie sal beïnvloed; dat die bydrae wat kommersiële boere lewer na waarde geskat moet word as deel van die oplossing vir die voedselpryskrisis; en dat onvoldoende tariefbeskerming in die verlede een van die hoof redes is waarom Suid-Afrika ‘n invoerder van groot hoeveelhede koring geword het.  Die Landboubesigheidskamer (LBK) het verder beklemtoon dat vertroue en geloof ‘n voorvereiste vir beleggings en groei is in die landbousektor.  In hierdie verband moet die veiligheid en sekuriteit van produsente groter aandag geniet.

‘n Dokument saamgestel deur georganiseerde landbou wat handel oor ‘n wye reeks landelike veiligheidsaangeleenthede is aan die vergadering voorgelê.  Agri SA het verwys na praktiese probleme wat op plaaslike vlak ondervind word met die implementering van die sektorpolisiëringstelsel wat in beginsel ‘n uitstekende benadering tot misdaadbestryding behels.

Agri SA het die President ingelig oor die probleme wat hy ervaar met die Onteieningswetsontwerp en die hoop uitgespreek dat hierdie besware aangespreek sal word gedurende die parlementêre proses.  Die vergadering het ook kennis geneem van die landboubedryf se kommer oor die negatiewe impak van waterbesoedeling op voedselveiligheid en uitvoer moontlikhede.  ‘n Oorsig van die oorsake van die huidige voedselpryskrisis en hoe ander regerings op sodanige krisis reageer, asook tendense in verband met die pryse van spesifieke voedselsoorte, is ook aan die vergadering voorgehou.

Agri SA kommentaar aan NERSA

Agri SA het op 29 Mei 2008 sy kommentaar aan NERSA voorgelê rakende Eskom se aansoek vir ‘n tariefverhoging vir die 2008/09 finansiële jaar. 

Agri SA se voorlegging aan NERSA is op versoek beskikbaar, en kan ook gevind word op Agri SA se webbald:  www.agrisa.co.za

VN Kommissie vir volhoubare ontwikkeling
Nic Opperman, Direkteur: Natuurlike Hulpbronne

Die Konferensie op die Omgewing en Ontwikkeling van die Verenigde Nasies (VN) het reeds in 1992 in Reo de Janeiro op die beginsels van volhoubare ontwikkeling ooreengekom en aksieplanne neergelê om dit te implementeer, soos dit vervat is in die sogenaamde Agenda 21.   Die Wêreldspitsberaad vir Volhoubare Ontwikkeling is in 2002 in Johannesburg aangebied, tien jaar na na die Rio Beraad om die hele proses in oënskou te neem. Voortspruitend uit die JHB Beraad is die vertrekpunte van Agenda 21 herbevestig en het die Johannesburg Plan van Implementering die lig gesien. 

Die VN hou jaarliks vergaderings van die Kommissie vir Volhoubare Ontwikkeling (CSD) waartydens bepaalde temas in Agenda 21 bespreek word.  Die aard van die temas is reeds vooruit bepaal en volg in twee jaar tematiese siklus. Jaar een behels die oorweging van die vordering wat met die temas gemaak is en jaar twee fokus op beleidmaking, sodat riglyne vir implementering beskikbaar is.  Die VN het pas die sestiende vergadering van die CSD in New York aangebied.  Die Kommissie word saamgestel uit die regerings-verteenwoordigers van die VN se lidlande betrokke by omgewingsaangeleenthede.  Verder word die Kommissie aangevul uit verteenwoordigers van die nege hoof belangegroepe soos vermeld in Agenda 21. Landbou, of te wel ‘boere’ soos dit omskryf is, is een van die hoof belangegroepe.

Agri SA was by die Internasionale Federasie van Landbouprodusente (IFLP) se afvaardiging ingesluit wat die verrigtinge gedurende die eerste week by die VN in New York bygewoon het. Die Kommissie was vanaf 5 Mei tot 16 Mei in sitting.

Die Kommissie se verrigtinge was vir ons belangrik, aangesien die temas op die landbou, grond, landelike ontwikkeling, droogte, verwoestyning en Afrika gefokus het.  Die opsomming van gebeure van die CSD-voorsitter is op die VN se webbladsy by http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/review.htm beskikbaar.  Die tersaaklike voorleggings van die IFLP-afvaardiging by die CSD kan by http://ifap.org.en/index.html besoek word.

Die Agri tydskrif beskikbaar op die web
Zelna Oberholster, Bestuurder Advertensie & Promosies

Die Agri tydskrif is op sy eie bladsye beskikbaar op die web. Belangstellendes kan gerus gaan loer en kommentaar lewer. Die hoofartikels is beskikbaar deur op die betrokke uitgawe se inhoudsblad op die uitgeligte artikels se druk, wat u dan sal neem na die artikel, soos wat dit verskyn in die tydskrif.

Onthou ook om deel te neem aan die verskeie kompetisies. Die ‘Beste pomp in elke dorp’ – ‘n KSB pomp ter waarde van R15 000 is eksklusief op die spel aan Agri SA lede. Maak gou om te verseker dat u nie die geleentheid misloop nie. Sluitingsdatum is 13 Junie 2008.

Die bladsy voeg verdere waarde toe aan adverteerders deur hul logos te laat verskyn.  U kan ook die Agri personeel volg op die ‘Agri was hier blad’ wat gereeld opdateer sal word met fotos van geleenthede wat bygewoon is. Vir verdere navrae, kontak Zelna Oberholster by 012-300 9525

Besoek:  http://www.agrisa.co.za/Agri/Agri.htm

ENGEN/OFM Sportaand groot sukses
Kobus Visser, Direkteur:  Korporatiewe Skakeling

Die vyfde OFM Prestige Sportaand waarvan Engen die hoofborg was, is tydens die NAMPO Oesdag 2008 by die Rio Tusk Casino in Klerksdorp aangebied en het ‘n bedrag van nagenoeg R130 000 opgelewer vir die Agri Securitas Trustfonds ten bate van landelike veiligheid.  Os du Randt wat ‘n besondere mylpaal in sy lewe bereik het, toe hy verlede jaar vir die tweede keer in ‘n Springbok Wêreldbeker wenspan gespeel het, was die gasspreker tydens die aand.

Gaste het saam met Os die 2007 rugby wêreldbeker herleef en vasgenael gesit op hulle sitplekke met interessante vertellings uit sy roemryke rugby loopbaan.  Hy het aan die einde gesê dat hy hom graag self vereenselwig met die doelstellings van die trustfonds en as boer in die Henneman-omgewing sy waardering uitgespreek vir die bydrae wat deur dié fonds gelewer word tot die beveiliging van die landbougemeenskap. 

Die voorsitter van die trustfonds, Japie Grobler het by die geleentheid OFM en Engen bedank vir hulle inisiatief om op dié wyse ook ‘n bydra te maak tot die beveiliging van die boeregemeenskap.  Hy het gewys op die koste van misdaad vir die ekonomie van Suid-Afrika wat op 18,9% van die BBP geraam word volgens die Wêreldbank se verslag van 2005.  Die direkte koste van misdaad vir die landbou is geraam op R1 miljard gedurende 2002 deur Statistiek SA, maar die syfer kan nou baie meer wees.  Sedert 1991 tot Maart 2007 het meer as 10 400 plaasaanvalle en meer as 1 500 moorde voorgekom in die boerdery-gebiede.  Hy het gesê dat die trustfonds reeds meer as 75 misdaad-bestrydingsinisiatiewe befonds het waardeur verskeie lewens gespaar en trauma voorkom is. Sodanige inisiatiewe sluit in ‘n pro-aktiewe misdaadinligtings-insamelinginisitiatief in vennootskap met die SAPD, verskaffing van radio’s en herleistelsels, oprigting van goedgekeurde valhekke, befondsing van inligtingsbrosjures en die befondsing van traumaberadingswerkswinkels vir slagoffers van landelike misdaad. 

Gedurende die aand se verrigtinge, is ‘n Ford Bantam bakkie wat met die komplimente van Barloworld Motor, een van Agri SA se gewaardeerde vennote geskenk is, opgefeil ten bate van die trustfonds.

OFM het na afloop van die aand se funksie verskeie komplimente ontvang van borge wat reeds aangedui het dat hulle graag weer by die 2009 Prestige Sportaand betrokke wil raak.  Erkenning word aan die volgende instansies en individue gegee wat ‘n tafel vir die aand bespreek en/of ‘n donasie gemaak het: Engen, OFM, Standard Bank, MacSteel Klerksdorp, Builders Market, Suidwes Landbou, NWK, Senwes, Santam Agri, Ottosdal Boere-unie, Agri Bonus, Rock Building Supplies, Barloworld Motor, Vrystaat Landbou Wet- en Orde komitee, Tube Stone, Attitude Plus, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Chris Pretorius, Claude Möller, Theo en Melonie Ferreira, Wendy Thabete en Adél Schoeman.

As Jongboer is ek lus vir die boerdery – ek is hier om te bly!
Kobus Visser, Direkteur:  Korporatiewe Skakeling

Agri Mpumalanga, het tydens ‘n spog geleentheid op 20 Mei 2008 wat saamgeval het met sy jaarlikse kongres, sy Jongboer van die Jaar aangekondig.  Wilscott Radley, vanjaar se wenner, boer saam met sy ouers en broers op die plaas “EENDAG”, naby Malelane.
Die boerdery bestaan uit 485 ha suikerriet, 90 ha sitrus, 30 ha mangoes, 200 Nguni stoet beeste en boer op 850 ha met wild.  Wilscott is veantwoordelik vir die suikerrietproduksie, meganisasie, besproeiing- en die ontwikkeling van die wildbedryf op die plaas. Die suikerriet bestaan uit 385 ha oorhoofse besproeiing, 100 ha drupbesproeiing en 40 ha spilpuntbesproeiing word tans ontwikkel.  Die plaas het ‘n opbrengs van +- 99 ton per ha wat slegs moontlik is deur effektiewe water bestuur en -skedulering. Die mikpunt is om meer hektare onder drupbesproeiing te vestig en sodoende water verbruik te optimaliseer.  In die Onderberg-gebied is alle gewasaanplantings baie afhanklik van besproeiing.
Wilscott het gematrikuleer aan die Nelspruit Hoërskool en sy Landbou Ingenieursgraad verwerf aan die Universiteit van Pretoria.  Na sy universiteitsopleiding het hy verdere praktiese ondervinding in England opgedoen. 
Hy is met Brigitte getroud en is onlangs ‘n seuntjie ryker geword.  Hy speel rugby vir Malelane Klub en is ook betrokke by georganiseerde landbou as voorsitter van Onderberg Boere-unie.
Wilscott is die tweede finalis in die 2008 Toyota Jongboer van die jaar kompetisie.

Geleenthede bestaan vir ‘n suksesvolle boerdery
Kovus Visser, Direkteur:  Korporatiewe Skakeling

Willem Marx is tydens ‘n spog geleentheid by Bundu Coutry Lodge op 23 Mei 2008  gekroon as Agri Noordwes se Jongboer van die Jaar.  Willie boer sedert voltooiing van sy skoolloopbaan aktief op die helfte van die plaas Brakpan tesame met sy pa in die Wolmaransstad-distrik.  Willie is ongetroud en boer reeds agt jaar lank.

Sy verantwoordelikhede sluit in, gewasproduksie, beesboerdery en algemene boerdery aktiwiteite.  Hy hanteer ook die diamant delwery apart van die boerdery.  Die boerdery bestaan uit die volgende bedryfsvertakkings, naamlik mielies 43%, delwery 50% en beeste 7%.  Willie se visie vir die boerdery is dat dit as ? besigheid bedryf moet word om  maksimum wins te lewer en hulpbronne optimaal te benut om volhoubare produksie te verseker.

Willie glo dat landbou ? belangrike rol in die ekonomie speel omdat boerdery ? groot bron van werksverskaffing in die platteland is en dus die lewensvatbaarheid van die dorpe en gemeenskappe verseker.  Verder voorsien landbou voedsel van hoogstaande gehalte teen mededingende pryse aan die bevolking van Suid-Afrika.  Hy is van mening dat daar baie geleenthede bestaan om ? suksesvolle boerdery op die been te bring en volhoubaar te produseer.  Jong boere moet hierdie geleenthede benut en nuwe moontlikhede vir uitbreiding ondersoek en aangryp.
 
Verder is hy ook ? aktiewe lid van die Welverdiend Boerevereniging.  Hy is betrokke by Verwes Maatskaplike Dienste en ondersteun tans ? student finansieel.  Willie glo dit is van kardinale belang dat die gemeenskap doen wat hy kan om minderbevoorregtes te help. 

Wille is die derde finalis in die 2008 Toyota Jongboer van die Jaar kompetisie.

Parlementêre verslag: 5 – 9 Mei 2008
Annelize Crosby, Parlementêre verteenwoordiger, Adviseur:  Regs- & Grondsake

Landbank:  Strategiese Plan en begroting
Op 6 Mei 2008 het die Landbank ‘n voorlegging gedoen aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou en Grondsake oor hul Strategiese Plan en begroting.  Die Minister van Landbou en Grondsake het ook die vergadering bygewoon en het die lede van die nuwe Landbankraad aan die Portefeuljekomitee bekend gestel.  Die nuwe Raadslede is op 5 Mei 2008 deur die Kabinet aangestel.  Die nuwe voorsitter is Mnr Themba Langa.  Ander lede sluit in : Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, Reverend Otto Mbangula, Me Patience Mnxasana, Me Jesmane Boggenpoel, Mnre Malungelo Zilimbola, Patrick Mathidi, en Modise Motloba.  Mnr Langa het die Portefeuljekomitee ingelig dat die forensiese verslag oor die beweerde onreëlmatighede binne die Landbank terugverwys is na die Bank vir verdere interne ondersoeke.  ‘n Komitee is deur die Raad aangestel om die saak verder te ondersoek en aanbevelings te maak.  Die Voorsitter het erken dat die Bank oor die laaste vyf jaar lae vlakke van kapitaal gehandhaaf het en verliese gely het.  Hy het ook erken dat die Bank nie voldoen aan sy ontwikkelingsmandaat nie.  Benewens die ontwikkelingsrol van die Landbank, het dit ook ‘n rol om kommersiële boere te ondersteun en voedselsekuriteit te help verseker. ‘n Uiteensetting is gegee van die Bank se medium – en langtermyn strategie.  ‘n Bedrog en korrupsie-voorkomingsplan is ook aan die Portefeuljekomitee voorgehou.

Departement van Handel en Nywerheid:  “Consumer Protection Bill”
Op 6 Mei 2008 het die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid ‘n voorlegging gedoen oor die “Consumer Protection Bill” aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Handel en Nywerheid.  Daar bestaan ‘n behoefte na omvattende wetgewing wat die regte van verbruikers sal beskerm.  Die wetgewing sal die gemeenregtelike regte van verbruikers kodifiseer.  Die wetgewing sal regte soos die reg op billike en regverdige verkoopsvoorwardes, die reg op billike en regverdige transaksies, die reg op billike n verantwoordelike advertering, die reg op kwaliteit, veiligheid en billike waarde en die reg op bekendmaking van inligting sal onder andere in die wetgewing beliggaam word.  Die volledige voorlegging is op aanvraag beskikbaar.

Kommissie op die Herstel van Grondregte:  Strategiese plan en begroting
Op 7 Mei 2008 het die Kommissie op die Herstel van Grondregte hul strategiese plan en begroting voorgehou aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou en Grondsake.  Die waarnemende Hoofgrondeisekommissaris, Mnr Blessing Mphela het die voorlegging gedoen.  Hy het gesê dat gebeure soos die Grondberaad van 2005 en die Polokwane konferensie onder andere help rigting gee aan die Kommissie se strategiese posisionering.  Die Kommissie se projeksies is dat 2585 van die uitstaande 4998 eise teen die einde van 2008 geskik sal wees.  Die Kommissie ondervind egter baie probleme, wat insluit konflik binne gemeenskappe en lang en duur onteieningsprosesse.  Tot op datum is 74 698 eise reeds geskik.  1994 miljoen hektaar grond is oorgedra.  Mnr Mphela het gesê dat daar 53 kennisgewings van voorneme om te onteien uitgereik is.  Daar is ook tans 105 sake voor die Grondeisehof.  Die Kommissie benodig nog ten minste R17.5 biljoen om die uitstaande eise te skik.  Sowat R 10.5 biljoen word benodig vir grondaankope.  Lede van die Komitee het hul twyfel uitgespreek oor of die Kommissie, gegewe sy rekord daarin sal kan slaag om die geprojekteerde teikens te bereik. 

SCHEDULE:  PUBLIC HEARINGS ON EXPROPRIATION BILL
Annelize Crosby, Parliamentary representative, Adviser:  Legal & Land Affairs

“The Portfolio Committee on Public Works is in the process of holding public hearings in the provinces regarding the controversial Expropriation Bill.  Agri SA wishes to encourage its affiliates to participate in such hearings.  Agri SA’s written submission on the bill as well as other supporting documentation has been made available to Provincial Unions and is available on request.  It is important that members express their views clearly and have them recorded during these meetings. Other role players, such as business people, attorneys and property agents, should also be encouraged to attend the hearings and to provide input. 

The programme for the hearings is attached as a separate document and is also available on Agri SA’s website.

PROVINCIAL HEARINGS ON EXPROPRIATION BILL
Hans van der Merwe, Executive Director

On 22 May 2008 Agri SA wrote a letter to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Ms Tobias with regards to concerns about the provincial hearings on the expropriation Bill.  The contents of the letter read as follows:

Agri SA wishes to record its serious concern over the way in which the public hearings of the above Bill in the provinces are being dealt with.  There has been no proper notice of dates and venues of such hearings.  Our provincial affiliates complain that the chosen towns are not easily accessible and the choices of particular venues make little sense.  In KwaZulu-Natal for example all the proposed venues are in the north of the province.  There are suspicions that the venues were chosen in areas where land issues are very dominant and land NGO‘s well represented.  This approach marginalises other areas and communities.

We are informed that the meeting in Beaufort-West was poorly organised and poorly attended and that landowners were not given sufficient opportunity to record their opposition to certain clauses in the Bill.

We call on you to revise your program to have hearings in major centers as well as rural towns and to advertise these hearings timeously and adequately.

PRESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE WORKING GROUP

A meeting of the Presidential Commercial Agriculture Working Group that was chaired by President Thabo Mbeki took place on 20 May 2008 in Cape Town.  The meeting was attended by various cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and officials of various state departments. 

In her opening remarks, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs alluded to the recent CSD16 meeting she attended in New York where the need for increased agricultural production was highlighted.  She also referred to work that has been done since the previous Presidential Working Group, namely the completion of the AgriBEE Charter process, the establishment of a charter council, provisions for disaster aid and progress with the review of the Sector Plan. The President requested that the finalisation of the review process be expedited and be completed by the task team by the end of June 2008.   

Agri SA expressed its satisfaction with the draft report of the review of the Sector Plan.  It was reiterated that with minor adjustments, the present Sector Plan still meets the requirements of role players in prevailing circumstances.  The Sector Plan represents, in Agri SA’s view, a carefully balanced synthesis of aspirations and broad goals, which should not be mistaken for an implementation plan.  The review report indicated shortcomings regarding implementation, which should be the focus of the task team with the completion of the review process. 

Minister Xingwana informed the President that she held discussions with stakeholders regarding the terms of reference and composition of an agricultural advisory council.  The council will provide the minister and principals of stakeholders an opportunity to discuss political issues and strategic options within the broader agricultural environment that should be considered to take the industry forward.

Agri SA said, amongst others, that farmers are not price makers but price takers; that measures are required to stimulate local production that could lower the upward pressure on food inflation; that fast rising input costs at farm level were a huge cause of concern as it would affect future production; that the contribution of commercial farmers must be valued as part of the solution for the food price crisis; and that insufficient (tariff) protection in the past was one on the main reasons for South Africa becoming an importer of significant quantities of wheat.  The Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC) further stressed the importance of trust and confidence in the sector and that it is a pre-condition for investment in and growth of the agriculture sector.  In this regard the safety and security of producers should be taken better care of. 

A document compiled by organised agriculture and addressing a wide range of rural safety and security issues, was presented to the meeting.  Agri SA alluded to practical problems experienced at local level with the implementation of the sector policing system, which was in principle an excellent approach towards combating crime.   

Agri SA informed the President about its concerns regarding the Expropriation Bill and expressed the hope that these concerns could be attended to during the parliamentary process.  The meeting also noted the agriculture industry’s concerns regarding the negative impact of water pollution on food safety and export opportunities.  An overview of the causes of the current food price crisis, how other governments react to this crisis and trends regarding the prices of specific foodstuffs were presented.
AGRI SA COMMENTARY TO NERSA

On 29 May Agri SA submitted its commentary to NERSA regarding Eskom’s application for a tariff increase for the 2008/09 financial year. 

Agri SA’s document to NERSA is available on request, and can also be found on Agri SA’s web page:  www.agrisa.co.za

UN COMMISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Nic Opperman, Director: Natural Resources

The United Nations (UN) Conference on the Environment and Development had, as early as 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, agreed on the principles of sustainable development and formulated plans of action for the implementation thereof, as contained in the so-called Agenda 21.  The World Summit on Sustainable Development was hosted in Johannesburg in 2002, 10 years after the Rio summit, to look at the overall process.  In light of the JHB Summit, the points of departure of Agenda 21 were reaffirmed, giving rise to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI).

The UN annually hosts meetings of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) where certain themes listed in Agenda 21 are discussed.  The nature of the themes is determined in advance and follows a two-year thematic cycle.  In Year 1, progress made with the themes is considered, while Year 2 focuses on policy-making so that guidelines are available for implementation.  The UN recently hosted the 16th meeting of the CSD in New York.  The Commission is composed of government representatives from UN member states involved in environmental matters.  The Commission is supplemented by representatives from the nine Major Groups mentioned in Agenda 21.  Agriculture, defined as “farmers“, forms one of the Major Groups.

Agri SA was included in the International Federation of Agricultural Producers’ (IFAP) delegation which attended the first week’s proceedings at the UN in New York.  The Commission was in session from 5 May to 16 May.

The Commission’s proceedings were of importance to us because the themes focused on agriculture, land, rural development, drought, desertification and Africa.  The CSD Chair’s summary of events is available on the UN’s webpage at http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/review.htm.  The relevant papers presented by the IFAP delegation at the CSD can be accessed at http://ifap.org.en/index.html.

THE AGRI MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET
Zelna Oberholster, Manager: Advertising & Promotions

The Agri magazine is available on a separate page on the Internet. Interested parties are welcome to have a look and comment on this page. The main articles are available by clicking on the contents page’s highlighted articles of the particular issue, which will take you to the article, as it appears in the magazine.

Remember to participate in the ‘Beste pomp in elke dorp’ competition – a KSB pump worth R15 000 is the exclusive prize to Agri SA members. Hurry to ensure that you do not miss this opportunity. The closing date is 13 June 2008.

This page adds value to advertisers by displaying their logos. You can also follow the Agri staff on the  ‘Agri was here’ page, which will be updated regularly with photos of events attended. For more information, contact Zelna Oberholster at 012-300 9525.

 Visit: http://www.agrisa.co.za/Agri/Agri.htm

ENGEN/OFM SPORTS EVENING A GREAT SUCCESS
Kobus Visser, Director:  Corporate Liaison

The fifth OFM Prestige sports evening, of which Engen is the principal sponsor, was held during the 2008 NAMPO Harvest Day at the Rio Tusk Casino in Klerksdorp.  The event raised approximately R130 000 for the Agri Securitas Trust Fund in aid of rural safety.  Os du Randt, who had reached a special milestone in his life when he played for a second time for a Springbok World Cup winning team last year, was the guest speaker during the evening.

Guests joined Os in reliving the 2007 Rugby World Cup tournament and were rooted to their seats while listening to stories from his illustrious rugby career.  In closing he said that he could identify with the objectives of the trust fund and, as farmer in the Henneman district, expressed his appreciation for the contribution that the trust made to the safety of the farming community.

The chairman of the trust fund, Japie Grobler, thanked OFM and Engen for their initiative in contributing in such a manner towards the safety of the farmer community.  He referred to the cost of crime for the South African economy, which is estimated at 18,9% of the GDP according to the World Bank’s 2005 report.  Statistics South Africa in 2002 estimated the direct cost of crime for agriculture at R1 billion, but the figure could now be much higher.  From 1991 to March 2007 there have been more than 10 400 farm attacks and more than 1 500 murders in farming areas.  He said the trust had already funded more than 75 crime-fighting initiatives whereby many lives were saved and much trauma prevented.  Such initiatives include a proactive crime information-gathering effort in partnership with the SAPS, the provision of radios and relay systems, the installation of approved booms, funding of information brochures and trauma counselling workshops for victims of rural crime.

In the course of the evening, a Ford Bantam truck was auctioned off in favour of the trust fund with the compliments of Barloworld Motor, one of Agri SA’s valued partners.

After the evening function OFM received various compliments from sponsors who had already indicated that they wished to be involved again in next year’s Prestige sports evening.  Recognition was given to the following organisations and individuals who had reserved a table for the evening and/or made a donation to the function: Engen, OFM, Standard Bank, MacSteel Klerksdorp, Builders Market, Suidwes Landbou, NWK, Senwes, Santam Agri, Ottosdal Farmers’ Union, Agri Bonus, Rock Building Supplies, Barloworld Motor, Free State Agriculture’s Law and Order Committee, Tube Stone, Attitude Plus, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Chris Pretorius, Claude Möller, Theo and Melonie Ferreira, Wendy Thabete and Adél Schoeman.

AS A YOUNG FARMER, I LOVE FARMING – I AM HERE TO STAY!
Kobus Visser, Director:  Corporate Liaison

Agri Mpumalanga, announced at a gala evening on 20 May 2008 that co-incided with its annual congress there Young Farmer of the Year.  Wilscott Radley, this years’ winner, farms with his parents and brothers on the farm Eendag near Malelane.

The farming operation consists of 485ha sugarcane, 90ha citrus, 30ha mangoes, 200 head of Nguni stud cattle, and farms on 850-ha with game.  Wilscott is responsible for cane production, mechanisation, irrigation development and development of the game operation.  The sugarcane operation comprises 385ha under overhead irrigation, 100ha under drip irrigation and 40ha is being developed under pivot irrigation.  The farm boasts a yield of approximately 99 ton/ha that is made possible through effective water management and scheduling.  The aim is to establish more hectares under drip irrigation and so-doing ensure optimum water usage.  In the Onderberg area, all crop cultivation is heavily dependant on irrigation.
Wilscott matriculated at Nelspruit Hoërskool and obtained a degree in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Pretoria. After his university education, he further gained experienced in England.
He is married to Brigitte and the couple were recently blessed with a baby son.  Wilscott plays rugby for the Malelane Club and is also involved in organised agriculture as chairman of the Onderberg Farmers’ Union.
Wilscott is the second finalist in the 2008 Toyota Young Farmer of the Year competition. 

OPPORTUNITIES EXIST TO ESTABLISH A SUCCESSFUL FARMING OPERATION
Kobus Visser, Director:  Corporate Liaison

Willem Marx was announced as Agri North West Young Farmer of the Year at a prestigious function held at the Bundu Country Lodge on 23 May 2008.  Since completing school, Willie has been farming actively with his father on half the farm Brakpan in the Wolmaransstad district.  Willie is unmarried and has been farming for eight years.

His responsibilities include crop production, cattle farming and general farming activities.  Besides farming, he is also involved in diamond digging.  His operations consist of maize 43%, diamont digging 50% and cattle 7%.  Willie’s vision for the farm is that it should operate as a business to generate maximum profit, using resources optimally to ensure sustainable production.

Willie believes that agriculture plays an important role in the economy because farming is a major source of employment in rural areas, thus ensuring the viability of towns and communities.  Agriculture also provides food of high quality at competitive prices to the population of South Africa.  He is of the opinion that there are many opportunities to establish a successful farming operation and to produce on a sustainable basis.  Young farmers should use these opportunities and look at new possibilities for expansion.

He is also an active member of the Welverdiend Farmers Association.  He is involved in Verwes Social Services and presently supports  a student financially.  Willie believes it is critical that society does what it can to support the underpriviledged. 

Willie is the third finalist in the 2008 Toyota Young Farmer of the Year competition. 

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT: 5 – 9 MAY 2008
Annelize Crosby, Parliamentary representative, Adviser: Legal & Land Affairs

Land Bank: Strategic plan and budget
On 6 May 2008 the Land Bank made a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs regarding their strategic plan and budget.  The Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs also attended the meeting and introduced the members of the new Land Bank Board to the Portfolio Committee.  The new Board members were appointed by Cabinet on 5 May 2008.  The new chairman is Mr Themba Langa.  Other members include Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk, Rev. Otto Mbangula, Ms Patience Mnxasana, Ms Jesmane Boggenpoel, Mr Malungelo Zilimbola Mr Patrick Mathidi and Mr Modise Motloba.  Mr Langa informed the Portfolio Committee that the forensic report on the alleged irregularities within the Land Bank had been referred back to the Bank for further internal investigations.  A committee had been appointed by the Board to investigate the matter further and to make recommendations.  The chairman acknowledged that the Bank had over the past five years maintained low levels of capital and had incurred losses.  He also admitted that the Bank did not comply with its development mandate.  Besides the development role of the Land Bank it is also tasked with supporting commercial farmers and to help ensure food security.  He provided details of the bank’s medium and long-term strategy.  A fraud and corruption prevention plan was also presented to the Portfolio Committee.

Department of Trade and Industry:  Consumer Protection Bill
On 6 May 2008 the Department of Trade and Industry made a presentation on the Consumer Protection Bill to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry.  There was a need for comprehensive legislation that would protect the rights of consumers.  The legislation would codify the common law rights of consumers and will also entrench rights such as the right to fair and equitable sales conditions, the right to fair and equitable transactions, the right to fair and responsible advertising, the right to quality, safety and fair value and the right to disclosure of information.  The full presentation is available on request.

Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights: Strategic plan and budget
On 7 May 2008 the Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights presented their strategic plan and budget to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs.  The acting Chief Land Commissioner, Mr Blessing Mphela, made the presentation.  He said events such as the Land Summit of 2005 and the Polokwane conference, among others, had assisted in directing the Commission’s strategic positioning.  The Commission’s projection is that 2 585 of the outstanding 4 998 claims would be settled by the end of 2008.  The Commission, however, is experiencing many problems, including conflict within communities and lengthy and expensive expropriation processes.  To date 74 698 claims have been settled and 1 994 million hectares have been transferred.  Mr Mphela said 53 notices of intent to expropriate had been issued.  There are also at present 105 cases before the Land Claims Court.  The Commission needs at least another R17,5 billion to settle the remaining claims.  Approximately R10,5 billion is needed for land acquisitions.  Members of the Committee expressed doubt as to whether the Commission would succeed in achieving its projected targets given its past record.
 
The Sasol Inzalo share invitation

The Sasol Inzalo share invitation: offering black South Africans the opportunity to enter the world of investing

Acting on its belief that economic growth underpins the creation of a prosperous South Africa, Sasol has conceived the Inzalo transaction to give impetus to the goal of distributing economic opportunities in an equitable manner.

Inzalo will enable individual black South Africans (African, Coloured or Indian) to potentially obtain shares in the company. Local black groups – in other words a company or close corporation in which one or more black people own more than 50% of the interest – can also participate, as can Stokvels. The invitation opens on 2 June 2008 and closes on 5 July 2008.

Black people who are interested in taking up the invitation must obtain a prospectus. These are available from all Post Offices across the country as well as Sasol and Excel service stations. The prospectus provides detailed information on the process that needs to be followed. It also contains an application form and outlines the supporting documentation required to complete this form.

Applicants will be notified in  August 2008 whether their application was successful and if so the number of shares allocated to them.

Sasol has also established a call centre for prospective applicants. The call centre agents can assist applicants with the completion of their application forms. Consultants can be reached by dialling 0800 000 222. In addition, Sasol has arranged for a number of roadshows to take place in every province. These will take place between 21 May and 21 June 2008.

For employers, the Inzalo share invitation can signal the financial beginning of a supplementary pension scheme. Employee share ownership is an investment that can be very rewarding. It enhances income flow (e.g. dividends) and ensures long-term growth and liquidity (as shares can be converted into cash).

Inzalo is about real empowerment and giving black people an opportunity to gain more financial freedom. Employers now have an opportunity to expose their employees to an era of greater wealth.

Inform your employees and take action before 5 July 2008.

For more information about this oppertunity contact Ingrid Krige on Tel 011 235 4321 or email
ingrid.krige@mslpr.co.za
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 gekoordineer en saamgestel deur Agri Connect.

Borge en medewerkers
Agri SA, MPO, Graan SA, Agri Connect, AgriBonus, Pfizer, UniGrain, Cape Wools’ SA, The Maize Trust,
Olie Advieskomitee, Voermol, Sanlam Cobalt, Santam, Old Mutual 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.

Agricultre Today
SABC 2  Maandae – Vrydae 05:30 – 60:00 met ‘n herhaling van die dag se program op SABC Africa om 06:30

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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The acting Director-General of Land Affairs, in an interview withFarmer’s Weekly,admitted that therestitution target date of 2008 as well as the redistribution target date of2014 was ambitious and said that land reform should be driven by quality ratherthan targets.Agri SA welcomed thisapproach, said Dr Theo de Jager, Chairman of Agri SA’s Land AffairsCommittee.Although Agri SA isfully aware of the need for rapid progress with land reform, the organisation’sview has always been that land reform should be economically viable and that theresource and production should not be adversely affected in theprocess.

Dr De Jager said, however, that timeous completion of the restitutionprocess should remain a top priority for the government as the uncertaintycreated by unsettled land claims has a very negative impact on the developmentof and investment in the agricultural sector, especially in the Northernprovinces.In cases where claimsappear to be invalid or where settlements are reached, the farms should bedelisted.

According to Dr de Jager, the Harvard group of economists recently againemphasised the importance and contribution of the agricultural sector towardssustained economic growth.”We needsuccess stories and we believe that the recipe for success is a partnershipbetween the state and the private sector.We would like to work with the new Director-General to help achieve hisideal of an integrated approach where productive use of land, job creation andtrue empowerment are the points of departure.”

Agri SA remains of the opinion that enough land is available on themarket to achieve the current land reform targets.With more than 5% of all agriculturalproperties changing ownership on the open market each year, South Africa shouldbe able to transfer 30% of farm land to black owners well before 2014 withouttoo much disruption in terms of production and investor’s confidence, especiallyif this can be tackled together with the private sector. It is critical thatadministrative and bureaucratic bottlenecks that delay processes be eliminatedand that new farmers be supported adequately to enable them to farm successfullyon a sustainable basis, said Dr de Jager.

Issued by the Directorate: CorporateLiaison

Enquiries:DrTheo de Jager, Chairman of Agri SA’s Land Affairs Committee, 082 3322110
AnnelizeCrosby, Agri SAParliamentaryrepresentative, Adviser: Legal&Land Affairs,082 388 0017

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