Download - Timbali

August 2010
"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we
can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee."
The Timbali team truly believes in the words of Marian Wright-Edelman, and know that we don’t need a special
day like Women’s Day to empower women and we don’t need a specially announced time to uplift people and
to share the resources we have. At Timbali, the whole team achieve and grow together daily. Every single stem
we harvest is a symbol of hope, an achievement, a celebration. We also share these bright sparks of hope with a
wide community, not knowing in which arrangements these flowers end up. What we do know for sure is that
the fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose. Happy Women’s Month!
Rare flowers in bloom at Timbali – Lisianthus
Although Timbali and our farmers are best known for the
Gerbera flowers we grow in the sub-tropical climate of
Mpumalanga, we have a few special seasonal secrets – in
summer we also produce Lisianthus, a speciality cut flower.
Lisianthus are a North American wildflower, with large gentianlike
bell-shaped flowers with flaring pale purple petal-like lobes.
Also known as Prairie Gentian or Texas Bluebell, the Lisianthus
bloom in summer from the upper leaf axils. Lisianthus are longlasting
flowers with a good post-harvest life – generally 10 – 15
days. Colours of Lisianthus include white, various shades of pink,
lavender, deep purple, and bicolors such as blue-violet. Doubleand
single Lisianthus flower varieties exist. Lisianthus grow best
where the minimum temperature is above 15°C, and the daytime
maximum temperature is less than 25°C, though the plants will
tolerate much higher temperatures. The climate in Timbali’s
hometown, Nelspruit, is thus ideal for growing Lisianthus in our
greenhouses. Good drainage is essential, and they are commonly
planted in raised beds. Summer is coming, and Amablom have
Lisianthus to buy as an alternative to roses and other cut flowers
that don’t last so long in summer.
William’s nursery produces 7.2 million seedlings per year
In 2006 William left PNA Nursery where he earned R3800 per
month, to start Khosouthopa seedlings, his own seedling
nursery. Today the property is 2ha big with an office, planting
area, germination area and 1500m² shaded areas for seedlings.
The nursery has two boreholes each with its own generator.
The nursery employs 9 people, each earning +-R1000pm.
Currently it is producing +- 660 000 seedlings per month and a
total of 7.2 million seedlings a year.
Khosouthopa Nursery supplies a wide range of customers;
including almost 300 farmers from Mesina, Joppie, Giyana,
Malemulele, Polokwane to Mokopane. William is looking at
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Contact Susann van Heerden to order your
Lisianthus from Amablom!
Timbali provides training and support to this off-

expanding his nursery to 3000m² under shade and has recently
bought a seed planting machine of R224 000 to help with
increasing his production.
As a 47 year old divorced father of 4 Children near Mooketsii, he
also takes the opportunity to empower his children, and his
oldest son, Thembelani (27) works with PNA Nursery now. The
first reason for his success is his commitment to his business.
William loves his seedling business and work seven days a week
from 7h00 to 16h00. He likes to water and fertilize his seedlings
himself. He not only takes pride in the quality and presentation
of his seedlings, but also to the neatness of his Nursery. The
second reason for his success is his ability to work with money.
William started Khosouthopa seedlings with R150 000 cash,
which he has saved from starting as a Teller at school. William
knows that a little effort every day goes a long way in the
future!
Partner introduction: Netafim
Netafim is specialists in agronomics: the
science of soil management and the
production of field crops.
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site farmer in Limpopo.
Timbali’s mentor and project manager and SEDA
project officer visited William during August
Netafim South Africa (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Netafim (A.C.S.) LTD in Israel. Netafim is a key player in the global
irrigation sector, positioned as a pioneer and world leading
provider of drip irrigation solutions. The company has over 2000
employees, 32 subsidiaries, and a strong distribution presence in
110 countries and manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. As a
Timbali Industry partner, Netafim has significant technical and
agronomic infrastructure, to provide ongoing training, in all
agricultural crop sectors and to ensure that all participants in a
particular project, are well equipped to manage the system(s)
effectively. As part of the Timbali Mentorship team technical
advisors are available to assist Timbali incubatees with the
selection of drip and micro-irrigation systems and ensure that
these take proper cognisance of water quality and soil types.
Agronomists will ensure that appropriate irrigation scheduling
programmes are in place in order to facilitate optimal yields and
optimal water consumption. The knowledge in Netafim South
Africa, through its people and the support from Netafim
International, is one of the key factors for successful agricultural
incubation. Together with other Timbali Partners, Netafim makes
a difference in helping with skills development of upcoming and
newly established agricultural BEE SMME’s.
Nonhlanhla grows her business as flower technician slowly but surely
Nonhlanhla Mgwenya started her work life as a domestic worker in
Nelspruit. Through her interaction with fellow commuters, she met
Miss Alucia Ngobeni (Production Supervisor at Timbali) who
introduced her to Timbali. Nonhlanhla became a trainee at Timbali in
February 2008. Due to her dedication and diligence in her work,
Nonhlanhla was appointed in August 2009 as a technician on
Timbali’s Incremental Incubation Model. The incremental model
means that the knowledge and skills acquired is increased gradually
and more responsibility is assigned to the technician in order to
empower her to successfully operate a business entity. Nonhlanhla
has benefited from the incubation services by learning how to
manage her business by reducing her costs by twenty one percent
over a period of three months and become the most improved

technician in July 2010. Nonhlanhla wants to be an established
business woman in five year’s time. She will achieve this, by
borrowing money from financial institutions to expand her flower
growing business. The knowledge and skills gained at Timbali, will
enable her to realise her dream.
What you say about us... compliments received
“We at JA Floral would like to thank
you for the wonderful service we
have received from you all over the
past few years you are always so
helpful, friendly and very efficient.
Your quality and supply has been
great throughout the year but
especially during this winter
season when flowers are a real
problem you have had the
quantities we require at any given
moment and when a problem arises
i.e. a difficult colour you always let
me know and make an alternate
arrangement. Thank you”
“Ons kry gereeld komplimente van kopers oor die goeie kwaliteit van
julle blomme, soos ek van tyd tot tyd vir jou deurgee. Ons het oor die
algemeen bitter min probleme met julle blomme en kry baie selde
klagtes. Selfs in die onlangse langdurige gure weersomstandighede, toe
ander kwekers botritis en ander siekte probleme gehad het, was julle
kwaliteit deurgaans van hoogstaande gehalte. Dit sal ook een van die
grootste redes wees waarom julle top pryse op die mark behaal.
Die ander kwekers se produksie was vir ‘n hele tyd baie laag, maar julle
het julle normale kwota aan die mark gelewer, wat ook beteken dat julle
die lojaliteit van kopers sal behou. ‘n Ander rede hoekom julle produk
gewild is, is die feit dat variteite akkuraat en duidelik gespesifiseer word,
en die koper weet presies wat hy koop as hy sy knoppie druk. Ek wil net
baie dankie sê vir die kwaliteit produkte wat julle aan Multiflora lewer en
hoop dat dit so sal aanhou, baie geluk!”
Tjaart Kilian - Quality Control Manager, Multiflora SA.
Compliment of the month: SEDA Technology Programme (STP)
This month’s compliment from the Timbali team goes out to SEDA
Technology Programme. STP provided the seed funding to start the
Timbali Technology Incubator in 2003, and has since been a partner
nurturing the Incubator to full bloom. We would like to recognise
Ishmael Mmbadi, whom has been our project officer, for 5-years
specifically. Compliments also go to Jayesh Ravjee, acting national
executive manager and Senior Manager of Incubation: Nosipho
Khonkwane. We thank the STP team for sharing our vision and allowing
the incubator to show-case world class success as our main funding
partner.
Arrangement of the Month
Winter Wonderland
“Many people would find winter a drab and dreary season. I find the
winter season a challenge to create something exciting! So.... I walked
through my garden to get the feel of winter on my skin and for some
inspiration... There was a nip in the early evening air and the trees
stood stark and naked against the pale blue-gray sky. A little dove flew
up from a branch to meet his friend in the sky and to look for a cosy
place to settle for the night. The earth was at rest...but there was still
life, happening all around me! The beauty of minimalism and the pure
crisp colours of winters; grey and white with tints, tones and shades of
soft pastels in the evening glow touched my senses... and I could not
wait to create a Winter Wonder Land flower design” – Angelique
Pretorius, Floral Designer. To download the shopping list and step by
step guide to recreate this arrangement, visit www.amablom.co.za.
"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments,
embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour."
-John Boswell
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Thank you for visiting us
Chief Project Officer, Mr. Andile Hawes, and team
(on right) from the National Department of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
African neighbours representing a NEDPAD initiative,
including Dr Percy Chimwamurombe from Dept of
Biological Sciences and Dr. Chinemba Samundengu
from Dept of Food Science, both senior officials from
the University of Namibia involved in starting an
Incubation Programme in Namibia.
Top management of Syngenta South Africa, including
Vinesh Ramsaroop, Financial Manager, and
colleagues.
Rene Slabbert from Media Worx, an ABET external
evaluation company
Timbali Technology Incubator is sponsored by STP
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