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A RE A F O CUS • •
PERSONNEL AT VILJOENSKROON SILO 266. At the back are Chantelle
Snyman (Senior Grain Grader), Nico Janse van Rensburg (Project
Manager) and Johan de Lange (Assistant Silo Manager). In the
middle are Joseph Tshabalala (Senior Grain Grader), Simon Kujoana
(Operator), Petrus Selinga (Tractor Driver), Simon Meleje (Machine
Operator and Cleaner), Joseph Sepoye (Board Operator) en Israel
Litaole (Sampler). In front are Sam Marumo (Sampler) and Jankie
Mokatsane (Operator).
1975 and mainly handles white
and yellow maize, sunflower, soy-
beans, sorghum and wheat.
VILJOENSKROON SILO 232
In line with a few other Senwes
towns, Viljoenskroon also has
two silos. Viljoenskroon silo
232 is down the street from
Viljoenskroon silo 266. Silo 232
is the older version of the two.
Assistant-Silo Manager, Louwrens
Appelcryn, tells us that the silo
was bought from the Senekal
family in town.
The silo has 12 bins of 3 300
tons each - therefore a total
capacity of 39 600 tons. Mainly
white maize and sunflower are
stored at this silo, while the rest
of the commodities are stored at
silo 266.
SILO MEMORIES
Nico and Louwrens have quite
a few memories of the silos. An
interesting fact is that the silo is
almost always filled to capacity,
with the exception of 2016, due
to the drought. A few years ago
they had to really make plans to
accommodate all the grain. They
even outloaded at night and filled
the Enselspruit and Potchefstroom
silos as well. 22 train trucks were
filled, as well as 22 dams of 120
tons each and the hoppers, drying
kiln and mass bins were also filled
to the brim. Indeed something to
be proud of.
This silo complex is sur-
rounded by other Senwes silos,
namely Groenebloem, Mirage
Viljoenskroon.
and Vierfontein,
all approximate-
ly 20 km from
HINTERLAND BRANCH
Gerhard Louw is the proud
branch manager at Viljoenskroon.
He has 32 years of service and
has been a branch manager since
1999, the last five years of which
at Viljoenskroon. His inspiration
was former regional manager, Jan
Coetzee. His work is his passion
and the branch slogan is “You can
make the difference”. He is proud
of his team of 23 employees and
according to him, they are the
best.
The branch was inaugurated
by former Senwes director, Japie
Grobler, on 27 February 1998.
WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE FROM THE
AREA
Locals tell me that a number
of former Senwesters are from
this region. Two former Senwes
directors, Jacob Steyn and Jimmy
Shahim, as well as Senwes and
Senwesbel shareholder, Bog
Venter.
CEO of Attooh!, Wouter
Snyman, is also a well-known fig-
ure and this thought leader in the
financial sector visited the town
a few weeks ago to motivate the
children.
Famous golf player, Fulton
Allem who has won 15 interna-
tional golf titles is also from this
region. However, he was born in
Kroonstad.
OVERVAAL STEREO
The well-known community radio
station in town is the 24 year old
Overvaal Stereo. Station manager
since 2016, Morne Geyser, tells us
that broadcasting stretches as far
as Vredefort and the station has
approximately 34 000 listeners.
SPORTS
Sports is very important in this
town and include golf, rugby, net-
ball and a number of other types
of sports. The sports grounds,
Rörich Park, were named after
the first attorney in town, Faan
Rörich.
Golf Club
The local golf club is at least
80 years old, according to club
house manager, Le Roux Fourie.
The course was designed by golf
legends Gary Player and Fulton
Allem and boasts 18 tees and 9
greens. The club has approximate-
ly 100 members.
Netball Club
Viljoenskroon Netball was esta
blished in 2016 and Senwes’ own
grain marketing advisor, Chantelle
De Andrade, is the chairman of
the club. Read more about her on
page 28.
> CONTINUES ON PAGE 18
Die Groot Trek word by die NG Kerk gedenk.
SENWES Scenario • APRIL/MAY 2017
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