HA N D E L SN UUS
SENWES IS COMMITTED TO
•••
MARLON ABRAHAMS
FARMER DEVELOPMENT
“THE COMMERCIALISATION OF DEVELOPING
FARMERS IS A PROCESS (NOT A ONCE-OFF EVENT)
WHICH NEEDS A SPECIAL AND NEW BREED OF
SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WHO ARE DEDICATED,
WILL PERSEVERE, HAVE PATIENCE AND HAVE
EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNICATION AND PROJECT
MANAGEMENT SKILLS,” SAYS JOHAN DU TOIT,
MANAGER: AGRICULTURAL SERVICES AT SENWES.
J
ohan was speaking at a
function held in August
at the Senwes Head Office,
where a group of black farmers
were acknowledged for their
participation, dedication and
success with the Senwes Farmer
Development programme.
The programme, which sees
Senwes providing assistance
to developing producers both
financially and technically, was
launched in 2008. “The aim is
to establish a mutually beneficial
long-term business relationship,”
says Johan. “Skills transfer is
based on practical assistance
through the learning-by-doing
principle and mentoring.”
The programme kickedoff with eight farmers in
2008. By 30 August 2015 five
farmers were still participating
while the other three have
left the programme due to
one advancing to commercial
level, one having to withdraw
due to poor performance
and one passed away.
Tonnages of grain delivered
via the project to date amount
to almost 20 000 tons.
The net monetary value of
wealth created for participating
farmers during the 2014/15
season alone, was in the
FRANS GAOGANEDIWE; JONAS MOKOKA, SIMON TEFFO,
PHILIP MOKHITHI AND HERBERT MABUZA RECEIVED
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION.
region of R3 million.
The producers who received
certificates of appreciation at the
function are: Frans Gaoganediwe;
Jonas Mokoka, Simon Teffo,
Philip Mokhithi and Herbert
Mabuza. These farmers cultivate
maize and sunflower, farm with
cattle and are producing in
the Vereeniging, Randfontein,
Ventersdorp and Klerksdorp areas.
As part of the ceremony the
farmers were given branded
sign-posts which reflect the
farm and the owners’ names.
The producers paid tribute to
Senwes and acknowledged the
elements of the programme which
ensure success, namely technical
and agri-economical planning;
access to finance; procurement
of intermediate goods (inputs);
market access for grain; training
and information transfer.
Johan added that Senwes
is committed to making a
positive contribution to the
advancement and development
of developing producers
who demonstrate genuine
commitment and integrity and
have the aspiration to become
fully-fledged commercial
producers within a reasonable
space of time (3-5 years).
Commercial producers who are
serious about the implementation
of BEE in their business need
not wait for government as
there is no “one-plan-fits-all”
solution. Government, however,
needs to provide and guarantee
an enabling environment
such as tax incentives and
irrevocable recognition.”
SENWES Scenario • Okt/Nov 2015
33