Vol. 12 • Issue 2 • January 2016

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MANDATE: Agriculture and Economic Development within a Rural and Land Reform context

ur 2015 year-end function drew the

Ocurtain on yet another fast-paced year, which brought about many new

developments. The theme 'A Night at the Derby' added particular glamour to the closing of the year, which at times felt like a hectic horse race where jockeys and horses alike had to perform their ultimate best in order to complete the races they were in.

On the 27th November 2015, Casidra's staff reflected on a successful year and joined by their honoured guests, Minister Alan Winde and Casidra Board members, enjoyed an evening to ce lebrate a demanding, but successful year.

We are extremely proud of all of our achievements during this demanding year during which we saw, amongst others, Casidra achieving yet another clean audit, making it 26 in a row.

A lot of effort was put into refining our internal systems such as the Electronic Pe r f o r m a n c e M a n a g e m e n t S y s t e m (EPMDS) and the web-based project management and report ing system (Casper). Casper has up until now not been fully integrated, but will be rolled out more earnestly during 2016.

Other systems that are continually being refined include the video conferencing facility, which enables us to conduct meetings in a more cost-effective way with our farms and regional office.

We are proud to publicise that during the year Waaikraal was re-awarded the Emerging Seed Producer of the Year prize from the Klein Karoo Seed Company. Congratulations to Jolian du Preez, Waaikraal's manager, and his team!

During this past year, Casidra was also t a s k e d w i t h t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f implementing the WCDoA's Sheep and Wool as well as the Grain Commodity Project Allocation Committees. The required staffing was put into place and necessary documentation obtained after a few challenges in order to continue servicing the beneficiaries for these commodities.

THE YEAR AHEAD...

Casidra's staff is by no means lulled into believing that the year 2016 will be slower and quieter than the past year. In fact we are expecting the coming year to be as full of activity and demanding, if not more, than the year 2015.

We are also cognisant of the upcoming municipal elections that could possibly require implementation of projects not necessarily anticipated.

We will continue our business support, funded through our mandate from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and Comprehensive Rural

Development Programme (CRDP), to emerging, small and medium enterprises. These groups have displayed a huge need for business and financial support and we will continue to lobby our clients and the private sector to bolster the Fund providing loans and other assistance to these businesses.

Casidra plans to continue growing its partnership with CapeNature and is nurtur ing i ts re lat ionship with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), who is increasingly utilising our services as an implementing agent.

2016 Will undoubtedly see an increase in the requests to the Land Reform Advisory Desk (LREAD) and we are gearing ourselves for these activities.

The Ministry will also start driving projects linked to Project Khulisa after the latter was approved by Cabinet during mid-2015.

Another expectation is our involvement with projects related to Agriparks and we are awaiting the outcome of initial meetings we held with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR).

The organisational realignment of functions within Casidra is expected to be completed early this year. This exciting new structure will allow us to be ready for the numerous initiatives the year is expected to bring. Here's to an exciting new year for Casidra!

Casidra’s Board and Management with Minister Alan Winde at the SCOPA meeting

CEO’S DESK

VISION: To be the Catalyst for Growth towards Self-sustainable Communities2

MINISTERIAL ACTIVIT IES

WESTERN CAPE COMMEMORATES WORLD FOOD DAY

orld Food Day is an international

Wannual event that is celebrated globally on the 16th October.

`The Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Casidra and various other organisations/companies joined hands and t o o k t h e l e a d i n t h e p r o v i n c e t o commemorate the day in the small rural town of Pella (next to Atlantis in the West Coast region) on the 23rd October 2015. Pella is one of the 15 development nodes in the Western Cape. The theme for 2015's commemoration was “Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the cycle of rural poverty”.

This event was well attended by more than 200 guests from the Departments of Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Rural Development and Land Reform, and Social Development, as well as private companies, etc. Amongst the guests was the Minister of Economic Opportunities,

Alan Winde, who kicked off the eventful day by visiting various sustainable community food security projects. Minister Winde interacted with the community project beneficiaries who shared their daily challenges with him. The Minister and his delegation planted trees and expressed how impressed they are and their appreciation for what the community of Pella has achieved thus far by ensuring that they put food on their tables.

According to the United Nations, there are 795 million malnourished people in the world. The UN has identified economic growth and sustainable agriculture as key factors to reduce hunger. World Food Day seeks to highlight public awareness of the world food shortage and to strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

In his keynote address, Minister Winde said, “South Africa's malnourishment level

remains close to five per cent and equipping residents with the skills they need to produce their own food is vital”.

Minister Winde added that “Food security is an important focus matter for the Western Cape, which is why the Provincial Department of Agriculture supports household and food garden initiatives across the province. In this financial year, we have committed R12 million to a range of these projects.” He said that food gardens have larger economic potential.

“We are looking at ways of increasing market access for these communal food gardens. There is a definite demand for high quality produce. We believe that sustainable economic benefits can be derived from these ventures,” said Minister Winde. In some cases, the food gardens supported by the Western Cape Government already supply small local markets from which they derive funding to replant their crops.

Minister Winde, handing over non-perishable food to community organisations in Pella

MISSION: To Maximise Agricultural and Economic Development Opportunities in RuralCommunities through Project Management Excellence

3

MINISTERIAL ACTIVIT IES

lexious Shoko, from Piket-bo-berg, was crowned as the AWestern Cape’s Farm Worker of the Year for 2015 during the gala ceremony in November 2015 at the Nederburg Wine

Estate in Paarl.

Shoko is the assistant production manager at the Mouton's Valley farm, where he has worked for the past seven years, and has been described as dedicated and a leader in his community.

“It's the most amazing feeling ever”, said Alex Shoko when describing his win. Shoko says he would not have been able to do this without the support of his wife Tabitha. “I'm very thankful to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Shoprite for acknowledging farm workers in this way. The magnitude of the competition is astounding and I would definitely encourage even more farm workers to enter next year”.

Lien Visagie, winner of the Witzenberg regional competition, and Martha Januarie, winner of the Hex Valley regional competition, tied for second place. Visagie works at Donkerbos near Rietfontein and Januarie is an administrative assistant at Villion Farms, Boplaas.

Cornel Paulse, the winner of the Franschhoek competition, was awarded third place. Paulse has been a Junior Manager at Glenwood Vineyards since 2011.

The Farm Worker of the Year Competition is co-sponsored by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Shoprite, Africa's largest retailer.

Over 6000 agricultural employees have entered the competition since 2002. During the current competition, 1247 residents participated in the competition, a 20% increase compared to the previous year.

Following a rigorous selection process, Shoko emerged as the entrant with the highest scores. As part of this process, entrants are scored on their overall knowledge of the agriculture sector and

finance issues in the country and on-farm, which includes budgeting and costing. Entrants are assessed on topics such as Black Economic Empowerment and the export chain. Their experience and agricultural skills are also key criterion.

Regional winners and runners-up received cash prizes and shopping vouchers from Shoprite. Shoko's prize includes an overseas trip.

“We have a role to play in the recognition and upliftment of farm workers. “These individuals are the reason we're able to sell quality produce in our supermarkets on a continuous basis.” commented Dr Johan van Deventer, General Manager at Freshmark/Shoprite.

Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, congratulated Shoko and thanked all the entrants for their contributions towards growing the agriculture sector. “Alexious represents the excellence our world-class agricultural sector is known for. His leadership qualities, dedication and insights into the sector's key issues earned him the top award. Through their efforts and hard work, we are strengthening the Western Cape's brand as a producer of high quality agricultural goods. I hope that all of the finalists are able to use the awards as a platform to further develop their agricultural skills and I wish them all the best”, said Minister Winde.

Shoko not only walked away with the much sought after honour of being the 2015 Western Cape's Farm Worker of the Year, but also bagged some big prizes including an iPad Air sponsored by Daleen Turner Consultancy, a R20 000 Shoprite gift voucher, a R60 000 overseas study tour and R20 000 cash sponsored by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

All the guests who attended the event also had an opportunity to vote for their preferred word which describes a farm worker as well as a new name for the competition. The word 'Agri Worker' was the favourite title, and it was concluded that in future the competition will officially be called the 'Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards'.

WESTERN CAPE'S TOP AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYEE ANNOUNCED

Alex Shoko accepting the award for the 2015 Farm Worker of the Year

From left to right: Johan van Deventer (Shoprite), Alex and Tabitha Shoko and Alan Winde (Minister of Economic Opportunities)

Pictures taken by Gizelle van Wyk

VISION: To be the Catalyst for Growth towards Self-sustainable Communities4

MPOWER PLASTICS ACHIEVES MILESTONE

F IRST CLASS PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

ower Plastics (Pty) Ltd made

Mphistory when it walked away with the 1st prize of R100 000 under the

“Best Job Creation” category at the Western C a p e Pr e m i e r ' s E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p Recognition Awards (PERA) at a Gala event held at the Cape Sun Hotel on 19 November 2015. This achievement followed after Casidra 's Business Advisor, Donovan Stevens, entered this innovative company into the PERA competition. “The entry process was definitely not a walk in the park, but it was a great pleasure to hear and see MPower Plastics announced as overall winner of the first prize”, said Stevens.

The PERA 2015 is the third edition of an annual competition that recognises the achievements and potential of some of the Province's most exciting entrepreneurs. By acknowledging and showcasing successful entrepreneurs, this Awards programme helps build a culture of entrepreneurship in the Western Cape – and in turn, supports the creation of jobs and opportunities by small and medium businesses.

M Po w e r P l a s t i c s i s o n e o f t h e beneficiaries of the Provincial Growth Fund, which is administered by Casidra on behalf of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The company focuses on the collection and recycling of plastic waste, which is then converted into pellets for the manufacturing of refuse bags and other plastic products, as well as cardboard and paper. This BEE company started its operations in 2007 in Blackheath by Peter Petersen who identified this niche market.

However, due to high expenses, the business owner decided to move the business to another area where rental and other expenses would be cheaper.

MPower Plastics' vision over the next five years is to become a recycling and manufacturing plant of choice. They focus on a network of recycling plants across the Western Cape Province with independent entrepreneurs to collect and supply raw materials to the recycling plants. This will not only create jobs, but also entrepreneurs thereby boosting the local economy.

MPower Plastics is a steadily growing business. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) valued at R4.2 million for the first 12 months to supply a multi-million Rand Johannesburg based waste company with recycled refuse bags totalling 750 000 units per month. Their annual turnover is expected to be in excess of R250 000 000, which will result in more jobs

being created and further growth not only for the business, but for the Western Cape local economy with a positive contribution to the GDP. The company further managed to secure a three-year contract with a Namibian mining company to the value of R35.2 million.

According to the founder of MPower Plastics, he also considered job creation as a paramount factor and hence identified Van Rhynsdorp as the perfect location, as 8 0 % o f t h e l o c a l c o m m u n i t y w a s unemployed. The business currently e m p l o y s i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m t h i s d isadvantaged community, thereby ensuring that every household has an income to sustain their families. When the business started, it employed 14 full-time and 40 part-time employees, but currently employs 89 full-time and 55 part-time employees. The business will continue to receive mentoring and business support from its Business Advisor.

(L-R) Jody Wentzel Farrell (WCDoA), Donovan Lammert,Grade 6 learner from Botha’s Halte Primary and his teacher Robertson Primary School awards

Learners from Sibabalwe Primary School with their teachers and WCDoA’s official and ’s Project Administrator, Johanna KlassenCasidra

Minister Winde with the PERA award winners

P

5MISSION: To Maximise Agricultural and Economic Development Opportunities in RuralCommunities through Project Management Excellence

AKKEDISBERG FARMING PROJECT

he Akkedisberg farming project is a Smallholder Wine Project Tlocated on the Raka Wine Estate outside Caledon. The project consists of 20 beneficiaries, the majority of whom are

employed at the Raka Wine Estate, and is 100% black owned.

The farming project is led by Mariette Moos as one of its directors. Moos has acquired solid knowledge in wine grapes’ production throughout her working experience in the wine producing industry.

The aim of the project is to empower the beneficiaries and expose them to mainstream agriculture. The majority of these beneficiaries have many years of working experience in the wine industry and all farming activities are conducted by them with additional labour organised by their mentor.

Beneficiaries received financial assistance from the Western Cape Department o f Agr icul ture (WCDoA) , v ia the i r Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, administered by the Wine Grape Commodity Project Allocation Committee. Casidra, appointed as the project implementer to roll out the funds

according to the project's business plan, assisted the beneficiaries with the establishment of their 4 hectare vineyard for wine grape production.

A Memorandum of Agreement between Casidra and the beneficiaries was signed to establish 4 hectares of vineyard equipped with trellising and an irrigation system, and to procure production inputs for the first year of wine grapes' production. The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the manner in which the entire project was implemented and managed. They thanked both the WCDoA and Casidra, particularly the Project Manager, Martha Nchabeleng.

According to Nchabeleng, the beneficiaries' commitment and active involvement on a day-to-day basis on the farm and their willingness to learn from their mentor are very impressive. “Although the newly established vines are not yet in production, they have greater potential to bear good quality products at a later stage”, Nchabeleng ended.

F IRST CLASS PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Mariette Moos - farming project leader

ONSITE TEAM PHOTO – From left to right: Ruaan Verstyer (Ensha Henra - Contractor), Gary Jones (WCDoA - Technician), Jacques Swanepoel ( – Project Manager/Engineer), Christie Lourens Casidra(WCDoA – Resident Engineer)

VISION: To be the Catalyst for Growth towards Self-sustainable Communities6

UNIT FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

UTA SUCCESS STORY - THOKOZANI’S ‘OVATION’

BLUEBERRIES IN THE WESTERN CAPE REGION

lueberries are ranked as having one of the highest Ba n t i o x i d a n t c a p a c i t i e s a m o n g a l l f r u i t (www.whfoods.org: 2015). Amongst the crops that

can be grown in the Western Cape, blueberries fare among some of the least commonly grown, but probably of the most profitable whose growing conditions can be controlled under shade netting. They are a robust fruit that are as resilient in the different conditions as table grapes and can be safely shipped to any place in the world frozen, with very minimal, if any, quality degradation.

The new generation plants are without thorns and mostly disease-resistant, and produce white to pinkish blossoms from May/June to September in the Western Cape. This fruit can be expected to be ready between August and January, which is the end of the season for Northern Hemisphere Blueberries, and causes them to be more expensive in Europe and North America. However, blueberries attract high returns for the exporters and growers from the Southern Hemisphere alike, as the demand is very high, despite the possibility of supply being very low during this period.

he UTA assisted Thokozani to develop a business plan and with Tthe restructuring of the new company, Thokozani Staff Holdings (TSH), that obtained majority shareholding in the Thokozani Wine

Investment (TWI).

The innovative business plan developed by the UTA, enabled TSH to obtain funding through the Agri BEE Fund. The UTA continued to support TSH to update their business plan in respect of the following:

TSH to become the majority shareholder in TWI with the

Diemersfontein Group holding only 16.8% of the shares.

TWI to become the sole shareholder of Thokozani Winelands

Properties (TWP).

Develop formulas to be used in TSH's financial matters with

respect to volumes of wine sales for both local and international

sales.

The business plan was finalised and a new Thokozani wine label called ‘Ovation’ was officially launched in November 2015 where the Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, was amongst the invited guests at Diemersfontein Wine Estate.

This new wine label will be marketed by well-known retail stores locally and hit the shelves in numbers.

Guests at Thokozani’s new wine label launch

7MISSION: To Maximise Agricultural and Economic Development Opportunities in RuralCommunities through Project Management Excellence

Waaikraal Emerging Seed Producer of Year Winners

WAAIKRAAL MAINTAINS EMERGING SEED PRODUCER AWARD

AMALIENSTEIN RECEIVES NATIONAL MASTER DAIRY AWARD malienstein received an

Aacknowledgement award during the National Master

Dairy Awards held at Sandringham in October 2015 for consistently participating in milk recordings since 1986.

This award serves as motivation for the Amalienstein and Casidra teams to push themselves even harder and be more responsible in future.

Ernest Hardien, manager of Amalienstein, thanked every worker at the farm and Casidra for assisting A m a l i e n s t e i n t o a t t a i n t h i s prestigious award. He also thanked the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and especially the Agricultural Research Council team involved with the national milk recording team, as their input over t h e y e a r s h a s l e d t o h u g e improvements at the Amalienstein dairy. Congratulations and well done on this outstanding achievement!

FARMING PROJECTS

Amalienstein dairy farm workers successfully completed the Artificial Insemination Training facilitated by Justice Mathebula from the Milk Producers' Organisation (MPO)

Anhalt was congratulated for winning a fantastic cash prize for their afval potjie. They were the undefeated champions of the day during the Waaikraal Potjiekos competition. Well done to them for their wonderful enthusiasm! Julle weet net hoe!

ANHALT “AFVAL POTJIE”

WINNERS

MANDATE: Agriculture and Economic Development within a Rural and Land Reform context

Published by: PR/Marketing and Communication Unit. The views expressed here are not necessarily of Casidra SOC Ltd.Editor: Experience Matshediso | Sub-Editor: Naideen Foxcroft

STAFF NEWS AND CELEBRATIONS

REGIONAL OFFICE AND FARMS' YEAR-END CELEBRATIONS

HEAD OFFICE YEAR-END CELEBRATIONS

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The CEO with Anhalt staff

he saying goes “a picture is worth a

Tthousand words” and these photos above prove that our staff at the

Regional Of f ice and Amal ienste in, Waaikraal and Anhalt farms had fantastic year-end functions.

Regional Office enjoyed their outing on the 15th December 2015 at the Tenpin Bowling alley in George with a competitive and teasing spirit amongst their staff, all three farm managers, as well as Head Office represented by our CEO, Michael Brinkhuis and Chief Operations Officer, Kobus Oosthuizen. The day was concluded with a lunch at a restaurant in Wilderness.

Waaikraal staff joined by the CEO and Johan Bronkhorst from the Regional Office celebrated in style with a gala event on the evening of the 17th December 2015 at the farm where they announced the various awards which includes the winners of the

Farm Workers of the Year as follows:

Amalienstein enjoyed an outing to the Cango Caves with a luncheon in Oudtshoorn on the 18th December 2015, which was sponsored by one of their service providers, Quantum Feeds.

Freek Oktober won the Farm Worker of the Year and Junior Manager of the Year awards for 2015.

Tom McKenna received the Tractor Driver of the Year award and his 10-Year long service certificate.

Koos M'swati received 10-Year long service certificate on behalf of Ansebe Komutoe who was on maternity leave.

Myrt le Bosman, an ex-employee, received a gift pack from Jolian du Preez, Farm Manager of Waaikraal, as a token of gratitude for the catering and arranging the entire event.

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• Elrico Matthys won the award for the Farm Worker of the Year for 2015;

Reon Meiring for the Tractor Driver of the Year for 2015;

Marthinus Cornelius for the General Worker of the Year for 2015; and

Elistor Pieterse for the Supervisor of the Year for 2015.

Anhalt, on the other hand, celebrated their function in the outdoors where they had a braai and made potjiekos, soaked up the sun and enjoyed loads of fun on the beach at Jeffery's Bay on 19 December 2015. During this outing, the following awards were announced:

Our CEO, Michael Brinkhuis, attended all of these well organised functions and congratulated the organisers and managers for the effort they make to recognise and reward our achievers.

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EMPLOYEE NAMESalome April

Ricardo Du Preez (ex-employee)Garome Esau

Hendrik HowleyClifton Howley

Shinay MisimilaMattheus Maclune

Ron SholtzMentoor KoopmanAnsebe Komutoe

Tom Mckenna

AmaliensteinAnhaltAnhaltAnhaltAnhaltAnhaltAnhaltAnhalt

WaaikraalWaaikraalWaaikraal

CENTRE NAME5 Years20 Years5 Years

10 Years5 Years5 Years

10 Years20 Years5 Years

10 Years10 Years

YEAR AWARD

NEW APPOINTMENT

‘Welcome’ toWarren Marcus

Project Manager:Agriculture

25 Year Long Service awarded to Johan Bronkhorst 20 Year Long Service awarded to Ernest Hardien

The CEO, Regional Manager and Waaikraal’s manager handing over awards to staff

Bridgette Bartes received a personality award

Top Performer 1st Place awarded to Michael MacKenzie

Top Performer 2nd Place awarded to Leon FaroTop Performer 3rd Place awarded to Hermien Swart

5 Year Long Service awarded to Andrea September