Senwes Scenario December 2018 / January 2019 | Page 6

NEWS
Senwes
Christmas Messages
A
T
he year 2018 will definitely be
remembered as the year
with the biggest political
and financial challenges
since 1994. It is almost impossi-
ble to think back to a day during
2018 without a new challenge
and new shocking revelations.
We were challenged time and time
again with extreme events. Due to
these circumstances our customer base
- farmers and producers - became the
focus of everything that went wrong over
the past 100 years since 1913, as far as
land is concerned. They have to bear
the brunt of it. Our customer base still
managed to produce a 17,2 million ton
crop and thereafter a 13 million ton maize
crop, despite low international commod-
ity prices and no government subsidies.
They also ensured that, as far as other
protein and fibre sources are concerned,
the South African population of 57 million
people had affordable, sufficient and safe
food. This is a remarkable feat. They were
also able to produce food for 65% of the
250 million people in the SADC and could
produce enough maize, fibre and meat
to export during these two years - also a
remarkable feat. Looking into the future
in this political climate is a challenge. I
have a lot of hope and I know that this
generation, like previous generations, is
equipped to deal with these challenges.
It does not only go about the skills of our
customer base on the production side
and on the processing side, or about their
capacity and abilities. It also goes about
their will and attitude and particularly their
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faith - the fact that they do not
only perform in order to generate an
income, but also because they are moti-
vated and they have a reason to perform.
I would like to wish you everything of
the best for Christmas 2018. May you
and your loved ones enjoy this time of
rest. May you find fulfilment in your faith. I
would also like to wish you well for 2019.
Thank you for supporting Senwes and its
personnel and thank you for doing your
bit for the sector. Do what you have to do
to make a contribution to the community
and the country at large. I have so much
respect for you, working in a sustainable
manner in the food value chain - it is
something to be proud of. Senwes has
high expectations for 2019 - we will make
it work!
Kind regards
Francois Strydom
Senwes CEO
SENWES SCENARIO | TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION 2018
n angel of the Lord appeared
to them, and the glory of the
Lord shone around them, and
they were terrified. But the
angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I
bring you good news that will cause
great joy for all people. Today
in the town of David a Saviour
has been born to you; he is
the Messiah, the Lord!"
(Luke 2:9 - 11)
In Matthew 25:1 – 13
we read the parable of the
five wise girls and the five
foolish girls.
The Groom (Jesus Christ) is
definitely on His way again. All peo-
ple are on their way to meet the Groom.
All people fall asleep and the lamps of all
people are busy dying, but children of the
Lord ARE ready, because children of the
Lord have Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ IS
the extra oil.
May you be ready during this
Christmas time, because you ARE ready
with Jesus Christ in your heart. May you
and your loved ones know, “I AM ready,
because I have Jesus Christ.”
We are still in the world - drought,
corruption, land reform, poor crops, theft,
etcetera, etcetera, which will always be
part of our existence. But in the here and
now it will not get us down, because we
ARE ready for the arrival of the Groom.
May the peace and joy of this
Christmas time be with you and your
loved ones now and throughout 2019.
Best wishes
Danie Minnaar
Senwes Chairman