TOTT 25 October 2018

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14 Talk of the Town ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook October 25, 2018 AGRI FORUM Agriculture sector gets clarity on land reform DOUG STERN Over the last few months, there have been significant developments with regard to organised agriculture’s engagements with the ANC and government in regard to land reform and expropriation without compensation. On August 21 Agri SA and Agbiz (agricultural business centre) met with ANC deputy president David Mabuza and ANC treasurer-general Paul M a s h at i l e . In this meeting, specific policy comments were made, including that no land grabs will be allowed, the protection of productive agricultural ground will remain a priority, fallow land in the deep rural areas will be optimised, property rights will remain a key priority in agrarian development, and production will be initiated on the approximately 4,000 farms currently in government possession, to unlock their commercial value and create farming opportunities. Furthermore, an invitation was extended to organised agriculture to delegate representatives to serve on the advisory panel on land reform to support the inter-ministerial task team on land reform chaired by Mabuza. This meeting was seperate to the meeting held in Cape Town between President Cyril Ramaphosa, minister in the presidency responsible for planning, monitoring and evaluation, Nkosana Dlamini-Zuma and Agri SA president Dan Kriek. The Landbou Weekblad/Agri SA Land Summit in Bela Bela was also attended by Mabuza, minister of rural development and land reform Maite Nkoana-Mashabane as well as department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries director-general Mike Mlengana. At this summit, the above-mentioned points were again highlighted by Mabuza. More than 65 presentations were made by farmers of all races from a variety of agricultural backgrounds, as well as prominent academics, industry role-players and the financial sector. Sub-themes presented included: How do we trust each other?; What is the context?; Workers-partners AGRI EC PRESIDENT DOUG STERN Small company with big vision for farmers At Overberg Bedrywe we understand the diverse demands of the agricutural sector and the need to exercise control over every ĂĞĐŚĞĞĨŽĞĞŽīĞĐŽŵĞŚĞŶŝĞĞŝĐĞĂŶĚŽĚĐ ŚĂŽīĞŚĞŵŽĞīĞĐĞŽůŽŶĨŽĂůůĂŐŝĐůĂůŶĞĞĚĨŽ convenience, peace of mind and sustainability. ŐŝĐůĂůĞŝĐĞŝŶĂŶĐŝĂůĞŝĐĞĂŝŶŽĂŐĞŶĂŶĐĞ ŝŐĂŽŶĞĐŚĂŶĚŝŝŶŐŽĚĐĞĞĚŽĐĞŝŶŐĂĚĞ Tel: 074 128 2138 | www.overbergagri.co.za for success; regenerating the platteland; regenerating communal areas; good neighbours and mentorships; regenerating restitution farms; farming in partnership; black farmers’ experiences; and funding models. The common threads running throughout were that the lack of tittle deeds directly affects access to production finance. Government support programmes are poorly implemented where they exist and most of the success stories involved no government support and were initiated by farmers voluntarily. What became clearly apparent was that there is no shortage of innovative ideas and structures to enable meaningful progress to be made in this regard. The institutions providing funding within the agricultural space were, however, criticised for not doing enough and were challenged to present their loan books regarding loans to emerging farmers if they differed from this view. This obviously struck a nerve, and the recent announcement by Banking Association of South Africa that the major banks were investigating the establishment of a special fund for this purpose. On Monday August 27, under the umbrella of Agri Sector Unity Forum, the presidents of the four major agricultural organisations, African Farmers Association of South Africa, National African Farmers Union,Transvaal Agricultural Union and Agri SA signed a declaration of intent to develop an economically sustainable national development strategy for the agricultural sector. Agri SA has undertaken to present a plan in this regard by the end of November. Recently Agri SA and several provincial affiliates as well as Agbiz, Grain SA and a number of farmers have met with ambassadors and diplomatic staff from 13 countries. This was done to view how foreign jurisdictions view the expropriation without compensation (EWC) debate as well as serve as a platform to discuss trade barriers and risks. It emerged that our economic partners were concerned about EWC, but there was also an overwhelming appetite for agrarian reform and a ROB KNOWLES Situated on the outskirts of Alexandria, Cape Eastern Livestock (CEL) is a small company with a big vision. CEL owner David Howard started the company in 2002 following stints at other agricultural concerns. Howard was born into the business of agriculture as his father was a livestock agent, but travelled to Johannesburg after leaving school to “get a trade”. While there, he worked for Atlas Aircraft as an aircraft technician. “I really didn’t enjoy Johannesburg,” said Howard, who couldn’t wait to get back to his native Eastern Cape. Then, when the time seemed right, he opened CEL, a livestock marketing and export company. He was joined in the business by his father, John, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the livestock trade. CEL is a boon to farmers in that it will act as their agent. CEL does not just operate in the Eastern Cape, but also has large deals in exporting animals to neighbouring count ries. “We export animals to other African countries, such as Zimbabwe,” said Howard. “We are also committed to assisting at the local commonage and want to help the municipality as much as we can.” Among the small team at CEL there is Howard, as well willingness to get involved through funding. Agri SA and its provincial affiliates remain resolute in their opposition to EWC and will not deviate from this view. Legal advice and opinion has been already been obtained from some of the top legal experts in the field, if amendments to Section 25 of the Constitution are tabled that will affect the industry and the property rights of our farmers. However, constant engagements with the governing party will as Sandra Goosen as the administrator, Leon Schoombee, who is the general manager, and Dwain Goldsmith who handles the company’s marketing. “We continue to convince decision makers that EWC is not going to solve the challenges facing South Africa with regards to land reform. With this purpose, Agri SA and representatives from its provincial affiliates again met with some of the ANC’s NEC members on September 7 where agri business leaders, organised agricultural leadership and farmers were given the opportunity to voice their concerns. Discussions were open and frank and set the basis for further engagements. On September 21, Ramaphosa appointed the advisory panel on land reform comprising 10 members who are eminently qualified by virtue of academic background, professional experience, social entrepreneurship or activism related to the agricultural economy and land policy. The panel is chaired by Dr Vuyokazi Mahlati who is serving her second term as a member of the National Planning Commission and who is president of the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa. The other members of the panel are Prof Ruth Hall of PLAS, Prof Mohammed Karaan from Stellenbosch, Adv Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Bulelwa Mabasa, Dr Thandi Ngcobo, Wandile Sihlobo, Dan Kriek, Thato Moagi andchairman of the Sernick Group, Nick Ser fontein. This panel is expected to provide perspectives on land policy in the context of persisting land inequality, unsatisfactory land and agrarian reform and uneven urban land reform. The panel is mandated to review, research and suggest models for government to implement a fair and equitable land reform process that redresses the injustices of the past, increases agricultural output, promotes economic growth and protects food security. Agri EC supports the initiatives of Agri SA as our national body and commits to contributing where we possibly can to this national development strategy. We therefore call on all our members to support us in this regard and to please forward details of any initiatives that have potential within your areas to the Agri EC office, so that we can endeavour to assist where possible. also have a network in place with other agents all around SA,” explained Howard. Howard said that the market was big enough for all players, and that it was CONTACT DES, DONNY OR JANNIE TEL: (046) 653 0189 KABA ROAD, ALEXANDRIA GREAT PRICES! GREAT SERVICE! VISIT US TODAY! important to show respect for and even work with competitors to ensure the success of farming in this area. S U P P O RT I N G FARMERS: The Cape Eastern Livestock team is ready and able to assist farmers with getting cattle to market or in securing the best deals at the abat toir, guaranteeing payments, transport and other essential services to the farming community. They are, from left, manager Leon Schoombee, Patties Sizani, Dwain Goldsmith (marketing), Joshua Bam, Sandile Keke, CEL owner and director David Howard, Steven Damani, bookkeeper Sandra Goosen, Mzamo Njajula and, in front, Melumzi B r a k fa s Picture: ROB KNOWLES
October 25, 2018 ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook Talk of the Town 15 Celebrating the life of an independent nonagenarian Game, set and match for Dot’s ‘just do it’ attitude CAROL TAGGART Driving about Kenton, you may see a little champagne-coloured car, with a little, fluffy toy dog peering out of the back window – t h at is Dot Thorburn and “My Darling”. We visited Dot in her home at Bushman’s River to find out all the attributes that make up an active 95-year-old member of our Kenton and Bushman’s communit y. At the age of 90, when most people are downsizing and moving into a gated estate, Dot, having had and hated that type of living, made the decision to buy a double-storey house, and live independently once again. Her garden is her pride and joy – it is beautifully tended and has an amazing variety of plants. She propagates many cuttings which she sometimes gives away for a small donation to Hospice. Tuesday and Friday mornings are Dot’s tennis days when she joins the morning Kenton tennis ladies to play a full set of tennis. Not only has she got a keen eye for the ball, but she contributes to our tennis morning conversation with news and points of interest. Dot loves watching sport and even wrote an article giving the High School where she matriculated. Union High was founded in 1919 and Dot plans to visit the centenar y celebrations in 2019. While still at school, she set eyes on a handsome man, a Scotsman who had moved to SA to work at Standard Bank in I am very blessed by the Lord and thank Him daily for watching over me “bookie” some advice – pass to the wings! Dot is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church and attends a Bible study group every week. Asked what has allowed her to lead such a full life, her answer was simply, “I am very blessed by the Lord and thank Him daily for watching over me.” Dot is a strong witness to her relationship with God, his constant companionship and direction throughout her l i fe . Born in 1923 in Graaff-Reinet, Dot attended the Union Graaff- Reinet. No sooner had he arrived, when war broke out. It was 1939 and he joined the South African volunteers – Die Middellandse Regiment. He was sent to the Eastern Desert and was captured during the Siege of Tobruk and taken as a prisoner of war for most of the war. This had a lasting effect on his health. In 1946, “Sandy” John McKenzie Thorburn, returned to Graaff-Reinet and the young couple were married. They were relocated with the bank to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and spent many years at various branches. They returned to SA and continued to live in different towns, eventually ending up in Port Elizabeth. At this stage Sandy retired, but unfortunately, he was not in good health and died in 1984. Following her husband’s death, Dot moved into a retirement village, but this was not for her. Too many rules. She had bought a caravan some time back and was spending quite a bit of time in Bushman’s. Eventually she decided to “just do it” and moved into her caravan on a permanent basis, where she lived very happily for the next eight years. She continued with her interests and even made a garden surrounding her caravan for which she won second prize in the local garden competition. She describes this time as some of her happiest and carefree years. D ot ’s association with Bushman’s River goes back many years, as most family Christmas holidays were spent at Bushman’s. Dot has two sons and, together with their families and children, they spend time visiting her. She takes great pride in her family, but is quick to add she is very independent and really looks after h e r s e l f. Her other family are, she told us, her church and tennis friends. Dot certainly is an independent, intelligent and interesting lady and we had such an enlightening tea, listening to anecdotes of her life story. Thank you, Dot. We celebrated Dot’s birthday on October 12 at the Kenton-on-Sea Tennis Club. Dot was awarded an honorary membership by club president Tony Bayley. One thing is for sure, Dot is a fun person and up for any excitement that may come her way. ĨŽĞĐĞŵďĞĞĂŽŶ ďĞĞŐŝĞĞĚŝŚ ĂŶĚŝŶĂ ŽŝĞĐĞĐŝ ŽĸĐĞĂĞŶŽŶŽĂĚ ĞŶŽŶŽŶĞĂ LET THEM EAT CAKE: Dot Thorburn turned 95 recently and celebrated with a cake from Patsy Bern, who made and donated the cake on behalf of Pa n d o r a ’s Home Industry Trading Hours Sunshine Coast Spar: Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 6pm Sat: 7:30am - 5pm Sun 7:30am - 4pm Valid: 26 - 28 October 2018 | E&OE | Tel: 046 648 1023 | While stocks last Chicken Kebabs R59.99 Per kg Koo Baked Beans 5 for R50 Stork Country Spread Margarine 1kg R34.99 Each Castle Lite 340ml NRB 6’s 2 for R109.99 SPAR Milk 1L 6’s R59.99 Each KWV 3 Year 750ml R125.99 Each THE VOLO SUPPORTS RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING Follow us on Facebook
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TOTT 25 October 2018

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