The Sentraal-Suid Co-op (SSK) buildings in Swellendam’s business centre will be developed into a large 7 600m² retail complex worth R70 million, SSK CEO Erenst Pelser announced recently.
SSK will relocate to a new 14 000m² premises in the Swellendam industrial area. More comprehensive services will be provided to the farming community, including mechanical workshops and large machine sales, added Pelser. “The new developments represent progress for Swellendam as it raises our economic profile in the region, improving our service to farmers of the Overberg and, through sensitive planning and design, enhancing the stature of the historic town centre,” he said. The developer, Prosperito, and the co-op will each get a 50% share in the retail development. – Wouter Kriel
Dowry targets youth for a farming future
“We need to promote and develop excellence in agriculture and create an awareness of the need for improved agricultural practices, to ensure food security and economic stability for the country,” said Cobus Dowry, the minister of agriculture in the Western Cape, at the recent launch of a Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development drive (YARD) in Goudini in the Western Cape.
The initiative follows national minister of agriculture Lulama Xingwana’s wish that the youth of SA be informed about opportunities in agriculture, according to Allie van Jaarsveld, spokesperson for Cobus Dowry. “We want to make agriculture attractive to young people so that they will consider it as a career option,” said Van Jaarsveld. YARD will be managed along the same lines as Woman in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD). “Young people can now speak to government and the industry through their regional or provincial selected representatives,” said Van Jaarsveld. – Wouter Kriel
