Identify long-term economic forecasts
Basing a business strategy on long-term economic forecasts is about as safe as using tea leaves and crystal balls, says Theo Vorster, CEO of Galileo Capital.
Heaven on earth….
I really hope heaven looks like the Kruger Park. I’ve been going to that magical place for nearly a zillion years and should by now be used to coming back...
South Africa needs decisive and enabling agricultural policy
According to Andrew Makenete, CEO of Manama Hole Holdings and Calico Capital, South African agriculture is currently operating in a policy vacuum. Speaking at a Friends of UKZN Agric lunch...
It’s time to remedy injustices to South Africa’s ‘first nations’
Their forefathers were the first to step on South African soil, and their modern-day descendants are finally being compensated for the land they were dispossessed of, says Raymond Trollip, leader...
The voice of reason will prevail
Speaking recently at a KZN Agricultural Union Special Information Day, Grain SA chairperson Louw Steytler said that the voice of reason would prevail when it came to the country’s land...
The fight for food trade
The number of anti-dumping investigations has risen over the past year amid fierce competition for the food trade. But Alexander Amrein, senior investigator for the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac),...
South Africa – there are some good news
While the mainstream media invariably focuses on the negative aspects of life in South Africa, longer-term trends indicate a silver lining for our beloved country, according to Steuart Pennington, creator...
The great Droughtmaster debate
I blame the past few difficult weeks in my life on Johan van der Nest and his passion for the Droughtmaster breed... Oops! I’m not allowed to say that. Sorry,...
The Albrecht System: uneconomical & outdated?
Local soil scientists are refuting the relevance of this 70-year-old system when advances in soil science point to its lack of scientific value and many shortcomings in field conditions.
Land reform – a new perspective
In this brief summary of an innovative model for land reform in South Africa, farmer and former DA MP Errol Moorcroft demonstrates that, despite the inherent difficulties, the redistribution of...
Germany wants to share expertise
Germany has much to offer South Africa in sharing knowledge gained during its post-reunification period. Ilse Aigner, federal minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, explains.
Time for some ‘strategic positioning’
Oh boy, the cat was really let loose among the pigeons at this year’s Nampo Harvest Day with political commentator Max du Preez claiming that the time has come for...
Business ethics in the agricultural sector
“The country will not be a good place for any of us, unless it’s a good place for all of us,” argues business consultant André Diederichs. He believes that considerable...
Let them eat Fruit
The single-minded focus on increasing yield needs to make way for a multi-disciplinary approach which makes healthy food available to all, says Dr Stephanie Midgley, OneWorld Sustainable Investments lead researcher,...
Willing seller – the only way
The ANC’s policy decision to do away with the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle has caused dismay in the agricultural sector. But Dr Theo de Jager, deputy president of Agri SA, argues...
Price-taking: is a shift possible?
Don’t cut the economic cake into smaller slices. Make it bigger, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Milling industry faces tough time
Struggling consumers and high costs are threatening the milling industry, says NCM chairperson Billy Oosthuizen. Speaking at the chamber’s 77th AGM in mid-March, he called on members to act as...
Land reform: government calls for partnerships with farmers
Rural development and land reform are firmly on the government’s agenda, according to Mduduzi Shabane, director-general of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR). Speaking at the 2013...
Steps to encourage the export of beneficiated products
For years, government has come under a steady stream of fire for allowing unprocessed, raw goods to leave South Africa’s shores, only to return as more pricey finished products.
A shift in pace for land reform?
Speaking in parliament during the debate on the State of the Nation address, minister of Rural Development and Land Refom, Gugile Nkwinti, rejected claims that land reform had failed.
