The final arrangements for Agri Mega Week 2008 are in full swing and the new FNB Auditorium at Park is being prepared to host a number of indabas scheduled to take place at the show, which runs from 17 to 20 September. This facility was built specifically to host training sessions, meetings and conferences, to emphasise Week’s focus on interaction, said Henk Aggenbach Agri Mega chairperson. Orton King, CEO of the Group, added that the Week has succeeded in building a national profile and from the queries and interest over the last couple of months it appears news about the expo has also reached international ears.
“To achieve the necessary impact through interaction in agricultural circles nationally and internationally, the profile and presentation of such and other expos need to be of exceptional standards,” said King. “The Agri Mega Week is a needs-driven expo with a focus on demonstrative participation, debate and development to achieve value adding.”
This year’s programme is full of highlights confirming King’s description. Among others there will be conferences for emerging farmers and farmworkers respectively, as well as debates and workshops, particularly on the functioning of the grain and dairy industries. F reek Robinson’s radio slot Praat Saam will be broadcast on Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) directly from Agri Mega Park.
The theme for his talk show at the expo will be land reform in SA versus the agricultural realities in the world. O rganisers expect the high-profile presentations and value-adding programme to attract a number of high-profile visitors and expo participants. Cobus Dowry, the Western Cape MEC for agriculture, is said to have reserved two days to visit the expo and to participate in some of the events. M atthews Phosa, the treasury general of the ANC, and Tony Ehrenreich of Cosatu are also expected to make an appearance at the show.
From organised agricultural circles, Nafu Western Cape president Willie Williams and his deputy Augustinus Hendricks are also expected to attend. The new Agri Western Cape president Kosie Loubser will act as opening speaker at this year’s expo, while other agricultural leaders such as Grain chairperson Neels Ferreira, Free State Agriculture president Louw Steytler, and Agricultural Business Chamber CEO Dr John Purchase and his chairperson Corwyn Botha are all expected. ther well known experts and leaders such as Dr Mohammed Karaan, Dr Kobus Laubscher, Dr Tobias Doyer, newly appointed agriculture DG Njabulo Ndluli, Joyene Isaacs, Dr Koos Pienaar, Prof Theo Kleynhans and Dr Cees Bruggemans will also be involved in the programme. On the entertainment side well-known celebrities and entertainers such as Emo Adams, André Schwartz, Sonja Heroldt, Jerome Topley and many others will be performing.
With an entrance fee of only R45 per person the Agri Mega Week organisers promise visitors value.– Staff reporter For more information contact the Agri Mega offices on (028) 424 2890 or visit the website at www.agrimega.co.za.
