Congress Report 2011 – English
RECORD OF THE KWANALU CONGRESS
HELD ON THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2011
AT THE ROYAL SHOW, PIETERMARITZBURG
CONGRESS THEME
“A time to do the right thing for the right reason for the right outcome”
1. Registration
2. Welcome
The Chairman, Mr Robin Barnsley, called the meeting to order and welcomed all farmers and guests including Honorary Life, Vice and Past Presidents, the Danish Consulate, students from Weston, Zakhe and Owen Sithole Colleges, officials from the Departments and Agri SA.
Apologies had been recorded on the attendance register.
3. Scripture reading and prayer
Mr Jannie Boshoff opened Congress with a scripture reading from Psalm 120 and a prayer. He said that as farmers we should all rely on God.
The Chairman thanked Mr Boshoff for his words.
4. Motions
The Chairman requested Congress to stand for a moment’s silence in remembrance of those who had lost loved ones as well as those who had been victims of crime since the 2010 Congress.
5. Constitution of Congress
The CEO, Mrs Sandy La Marque, confirmed that notice of Congress had been circulated and with the representative delegates present, a quorum had been met and Congress was properly constituted. As nominations for the seats available for commodities, agri business and FWI had been received, these nominations would serve on the Board of Governors and no voting would take place.
6. Announcements
The CEO reiterated the theme of the Congress as above and encouraged participation by all in the debates and to report back to their constituencies.
7. President’s Address
The Vice-President, Mr Phenias Gumede, took the Chair while the Chairman presented his President’s Address to Congress. A copy of his address is attached to this report.
He said that we live in challenging times, some of which were not being handled well. Some of the challenges were:-
· An inadequately educated workforce;
· Crime and theft;
· Corruption;
· Difficulty in accessing finance, amongst others;
· An inefficient government bureaucracy.
Mr Barnsley said that Kwanalu has been and would continue to be committed to a productive future and would continue to align itself with progressively minded organisations seeking the betterment of the sector, economy and society.
Crime continued to impact on the sector but thankfully violence against farmers and residents had shown a down turn over the past twelve months.
He was grateful for the positive and constructive relationship enjoyed with the media.
He said that the success of the community and nation lay in the adoption of principled positions of leadership in respect of issues of the day and with a long term strategic view on the future.
What was needed was leadership – strong, firm, fair, balanced and principled.
The Chairman said that he had indicated his desire to hand over the batten. He thanked members for the opportunity of serving their interests. He encouraged members to give the new leader their full support.
Mr Gumede thanked the Chairman for his constructive address and said he hoped the Chairman would continue to stay close to Kwanalu and proposed the adoption of the President’s address.
8. Strategic plan 2010/2011
The CEO said that besides other issues, Kwanalu had dealt with the following key areas:-
· Transformation and Rural Development
She said that land reform remained a challenging matter. Government had failed in implementing Restitution, Redistribution and Tenure Reform, which was plagued with mal-administration, nepotism, corruption, a lack of transparency and disregard for the rule of law.
The Land Tenure Security Bill was published on 24 December 2010 and submissions and commentary were called for. It was proposed that the current land tenure system be overhauled to achieve equitable access to land and sustainable land use.
Kwanalu had continued to stand by its adopted policies that
– The free market system principle be allowed to operate; and
– There be respect for property rights.
The new Land Tenure Security Bill (LTSB) constituted an effort to combine the provisions of the Labour Tenants Act and those of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act. The objectives of the LTSB were to:
– Protect relative rights of farm workers, farm dwellers and landowners;
– Enhance the tenure rights of farm dwellers; and
– Ensure food security through sustained production disciplines.
Kwanalu made a significant contribution to the submission made by Agri SA and would continue to be at the forefront to ensure that the view of members and affiliates were represented in the ongoing debate on this important issue.
· Green Paper on Land Reform
The CEO reported that a leaked version of the Green Paper was accessed last year. However the Green Paper was then officially released on 26 August 2011. She indicated to the Chairman, for accuracy with reporting, that she would include the most recent information in her report.
The Green Paper Policy proposal for agrarian transformation was indicated as:
– “A rapid and fundamental change in the relations (systems and patterns of ownership and control) of land, livestock, cropping and community.”
– Underlying principles:
· De-racialising the rural economy for shared and sustained growth;
· Democratic and equitable land allocation and use across gender, race and class; and
· Strict production discipline for food security.
– Vision:
· Four tier system of land tenure:
o Ensuring all (particularly rural blacks) have reasonable access to land with secure rights.
· Clearly defined property rights:
o Sustained by fair, equitable and accountable land administration; and
o Effective judicial and governance system.
· Secure forms of long-term tenure for resident non-citizens engaged in appropriate investments:
o Enhanced food sovereignty and livelihood security; and
o Improved agro-industrial development.
· Effective land use planning and regulatory systems:
o Promote optimal land use in all sectors and areas;
o Effectively administered rural and urban lands; and
o Sustainable rural production systems.
Again Kwanalu had fallen back on the policy positions that had been previously adopted by Kwanalu at the last congress:
– Free market principle (no market interference);
– International best practice models should be reviewed;
– SA Constitution remained fundamental departure for all;
– Legal framework / opinions should be obtained;
– Database for land should be conducted;
– Formulate a Rural Development Policy;
– Land tenure bill – take note of legal precedent and legal lessons learnt;
– Look at economic, investment, GDP impact;
– Communication and stakeholder relations should be utilized at all times to represent Kwanalu and its members.
· Land Audit
In 2005 at the National Land Summit a land audit was called for. After many years of no progress by Government to perform the audit the Kwanalu Board gave a mandate that Kwanalu should proceed with an audit. The reasons being:
– There was no single source of information on the ownership patterns of agricultural land;
– The target of 30% transfer of white owned agricultural land set out by government did not appear to be measured;
– The ability to present a view of how much land was black owned;
– Various other land transformation strategies/policies existed;
– The unknown impact on the stability of the agricultural sector and implications for food security in South Africa.
The project was initiated and is ongoing and further commitment from all would be required.
· Rural Safety and Security
Mrs La Marque reported that in the latter 6 months of the financial year no farm murders had been reported in KZN. The Security Desk operated on donor funding.
· Natural Resources
Poor infrastructure continued to plague many farmers. These included the poor condition of roads, poor basic service provision, poor communication services and connectivity by Telkom and cell phone providers, which have impacted on farmers’ businesses.
· Disaster Management
She reported that during the course of the past year, Kwa-Zulu Natal had been faced with drought, floods and Foot and Mouth (FMD). During the FMD disaster very little communication and leadership was provided by Government. Numerous questions still remain unanswered with regard to the FMD outbreak. Kwanalu played as always a key role in the communication and central point for information distribution and receipt with the disasters.
· Labour and Social Investment
On 17 December 2010, the following labour amendment Bills were released for comment:
– Labour Relations Amendment Bill
– Employment Equity Amendment Bill
– Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bill
– Employment Services Bill
It was felt that if these Bills were passed in their current form, they would have a significant impact on the employment environment. Kwanalu participated in the public hearings and made a submission. The matter remains a priority issue and will receive attention.
Farmers’ Associations stepped up to the plate and held constructive discussions with the Department after the public hearings were held in KZN. Kwanalu made further submissions in this regard.
Kwanalu continues to deal with various concerns and issues experienced by members and have developed a good working relationship with the Department. She stressed that members should be compliant at all times.
· Communication and image building
Mrs La Marque said that a number of effective methods were used to communicate with members, e.g. the Kwanalu website, email, sms, fax and post. The Kwanalu executive and CEO regularly attended farmers’ meetings and annually a visit was carried out across the province to update members of the latest developments.
· Commercial policy
Municipal Property Rates Act, No 6 of 2004 (MPRA)
Kwanalu endeavoured to take all possible actions to mitigate against the uneconomic application of the MPRA on the agricultural sector. The implementation of the MPRA has been taxing and extremely challenging. Kwanalu sought relief in the Courts but unfortunately the application was dismissed without costs.
To proceed further would mean legal processes carrying on for at least another year or two with conservative estimates of costs amounting to at least R1 million. However the focus of the case on Municipal rating had resulted in many Municipalities and Local Government being much more reasonable in most cases and progress was made by consultation.
It was recommended that Farmers’ Associations monitor the rating process in their own areas.
Farmers Associations, commodities and members agreed that Kwanalu did not appeal the judgement.
· Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA of 2002)
Prospecting, Mining and Fracking
In view of the excessive number of prospecting and mining applications lodged in KZN, a meeting was arranged for all members and interested parties to discuss:
– The legal framework of the MPRDA of 2002
– Mineral right holders vs landowners rights
– A farmer’s practical approach to dealing with application for a prospecting right
– A farmer’s practical approach to dealing with fracking.
The workshop was informative and generated a great deal of media interest and an expose of the mining, prospecting and fracking issue in KZN.
Kwanalu participated in discussions with other provinces and this widespread situation will require high level interventions. Kwanalu sees this as an important matter and will continue to participate at opportunities available.
In its day to day activities, Kwanalu continued to run efficiently and effectively.
She thanked her staff, the Board of Governors and the executive committee for their support.
The Chairman thanked the CEO for her report.
A copy of the presentation is attached to this report.
9. Financial Statements year ending 30 June 2011
The CEO said that the audit had been completed and copies of the financials had been posted to delegates. She presented the audited financial statements to Congress.
10. Annual membership subscription & Budget proposal
The CEO informed Congress that according to the Kwanalu Constitution, the Board of Governors had determined subscriptions for the 2012/2013 year. These would be:
· Commercial farmers (including Vat)
– R1 623.50 if received by 30 September 2012 or R1 718.00 if received thereafter
· Part time / smallholder farmers (including Vat)
– R812.55 if received by 30 September 2012 or R859.00 if received thereafter
· Previously disadvantaged farmers (including Vat)
– R220.00
The budget approved by the Kwanalu Board of Governors for 2012/2013 was presented to Congress.
11. Acceptance
The Vice-President, Mr Rod Freese thanked the CEO and her staff for all they did. He proposed the acceptance of the financials, the budget and the subscriptions. These were seconded and unanimously ACCEPTED.
12. Resolution : Constitutional Amendments
The CEO presented the proposed amendments to Congress which had been sent to delegates.
Mr Kenny Robinson proposed the acceptance of the resolution to amend the Constitution.
The amendments were seconded and unanimously ACCEPTED.
13. Stats SA
The Chairman gave Mr Ithani Mgwabe, Stats SA Executive Manager Large Sample Survey, an opportunity to address the meeting. He urged everyone to support the Census and asked farmers to act as ambassadors to promote the completion of documents. He also thanked the farmers for the support in completing the agricultural statistics.
The Chairman said that farmers must provide Stats SA with access to their farms according to the “On Farm Protocol”.
14. Acknowledgment of Sponsors
The Chairman thanked all the sponsors for their generous donations towards the costs of Congress.
15. Tea
Congress broke for tea. The Chairman thanked Nedbank for sponsoring this session.
16. Scene Set : Kwanalu Policy Positions by Kwanalu President, Mr Robin Barnsley
The Chairman said that:-
· Kwanalu is an independent, non governmental, voluntary organisation of farmers and rural citizens united to analyse their issues and formulate action to solve these issues;
· Kwanalu strives for the general welfare of all aspects of farm and rural life through economic opportunity, social advancement and educational improvement;
· Kwanalu takes the stand that property rights and personal freedom were guaranteed by the South African Constitution and were essential to general welfare and these freedoms should be defended;
· Kwanalu believed that economic progress was best achieved in a free market system.
Against core strategies Kwanalu was able to measure its activities.
The six key areas:-
· Transformation and Rural Development
· Rural Safety and Security
· Natural Resources
· Labour and Social investment
· Commercial Policy
· Communication and image building
are aligned to those of Agri SA and the other provinces. Kwanalu had taken a strong policy position and had not compromised or deviated from the protection of the SA Constitution and the rights embodied therein.
With regards Transformation and Rural Development, the greatest debilitating factor for the agricultural sector in KZN had been the failure of government to implement the three existing programmes of land reform, namely restitution, redistribution and tenure reform.
Kwanalu had always supported land reform and would continue to do so within the confines of the Constitution and rule of law of the RSA. He said that Kwanalu would not be drawn into discussions and negotiations which ran counter to the effective operation of the free market. Rights infringements were not acceptable.
Referring to Rural Safety and Security, he said that criminal activity on farms caused substantial financial loss to the sector while undermining the confidence, pride and dignity of farmers and the broader rural community.
Kwanalu supported:
– The rule of law for a fair and equitable society;
– An integrated law enforcement strategy;
– Factual evidence as opposed to the use of inflammatory statements or undertones;
– Effective law enforcement;
– Private initiatives to contribute to a safer rural environment;
– The combating of stock theft and petty theft;
– The eradication of corruption and crime;
– Statistic keeping and analysis;
– Strict border control;
– The prevention of unlawful access to farms.
With regards natural resources and infrastructure, Mr Barnsley said that Kwanalu members had found it difficult to operate and ensure food production with a declining right of use of natural resources and failing rural infrastructure.
The loss of production of agricultural land to housing, mining and business development was another aspect that placed pressure on the sector.
Kwanalu supported:-
· The sustainable use of natural resources;
· The protection and sound balance of natural resources;
· Limiting the carbon and water footprint and counteracting climate change;
· Research, development and retention of expertise for sustainable management;
· Participation in local structure which provided service delivery.
Kwanalu continued to promote compliance with labour and related legislation and had endeavoured to play a positive role in addressing issues that had arisen.
Active commodity organisations, dealing with specific commodity related issues, were affiliated to Kwanalu.
In conclusion, he said that:-
· Kwanalu strives for the general welfare of all aspects of farm and rural life through economic opportunity, social advancement and educational improvement;
· Kwanalu takes the stand that property rights and personal freedom are guaranteed by the SA Constitution and are essential to the general welfare and these freedoms should be defended;
· Economic progress is best achieved in a free market system.
He believed that unity within agriculture and structure bode well for agriculture.
A copy of the presentation is attached to the report.
16. Address by Dr John Purchase, CEO Agricultural Business Chamber
The Chairman introduced Dr John Purchase to the meeting.
Dr Purchase congratulated Kwanalu and the Chairman on his address and his position.
He spoke on the trends and challenges of agriculture. He said that the only real way to solve the problem was to draw more people back to agriculture. He said the ripple effect of eating habits was changing and it was essential to produce more. Climatic conditions were impacting on this.
Good agricultural policies were positive for South Africa. He said South Africa must maintain the free market policy as changing this would not improve things.
What we were doing today in terms of sustainability was not good enough. It was key that we adapt and this would impact on farmers.
The advantages were:-
· World class infrastructure
· Counter seasonality to Europe
· Biodiversity
· Etc
He said that 60% of people live in urban areas. In South Africa agriculture forms about 2.5% share of GDP. Opportunities to create value were so much greater. Economic growth in the sector had changed; it had dipped and was now dipping again. He said that fundamentals were not addressed during recession so prices were now higher.
He said that commodity prices were still increasing and putting pressure on food prices. Government was becoming concerned about food inflation and were talking about intervention.
With regard to the exchange rate, he said that as debt worries had escalated in Europe, the rand had increased but was now decreasing.
He questioned what the consumer looked like. Generally the middle class found it difficult to come out on their income. People have moved from poorer standards to better living standards.
South Africa’s resource situation was:
– Property rights should be extended to create wealth;
– The energy crisis was a risk for our country;
– Electricity price hikes would put pressure on standards;
– Water management and water quality were in crisis;
– Climate change effects created uncertainty;
– Soil degradation and erosion;
– Bio security threats – Five major sicknesses had broken out and put pressure on agriculture.
Some facts on agriculture – farming units had decreased from 57 980 to 39 982 from 1993 to 2007. Big production had been in animal production – poultry specifically. Net farming income had increased. Requisites increased more than the producer prices through innovation, management and technology. The value of capital assets had increased over the past years. Increased electricity and water prices were going to put pressure on input prices. There was concern for businesses bypassing market agents and going direct to farmers without farmers knowing correct prices. There was a significant export of products including wine, fruits, etc. There was quite a lot of money in various industries and a lot of opportunity to expand but farmers would have to be innovative.
He said that agribusinesses were very important in the market. A development path that promoted growth and social equality was needed. Of the unemployed 75% are the youth.
The challenges for government were:
– Food security both household and national;
– Access to safe, nutritious and affordable food for all;
– Job creation;
– Empowerment of PDI’s;
– Land reform and rural development;
– Industrial Policy Action Plan;
– Competitive environment;
– Sustainable resource management;
– African development.
The challenges for the private sector were different from government but often on the same page.
The overall prospects were much greater food security awareness but managed correctly. There was awareness by government but co-operation was not often received. There was the possibility of substantial markets but both government and the private sector needed to work together.
He concluded by saying that we have a healthy and robust agro-food industry and we must focus on things that can be controlled. We must maintain flexibility and adaptability because of the volatile situation in which we live.
The Chairman thanked Dr Purchase for his very informative address.
17. Address by Mr John Kane-Berman, Chief Executive of the South African Institute of Race Relations
“The Winding Road to the Right Outcome”
The Chairman introduced Mr Kane-Berman to the meeting.
Mr Kane-Berman said that society required rule of law, effective government and economic growth. He said he would identify the threats, challenges, how they played themselves out and how to get to the right outcome.
Looking back a person may be puzzled by negative developments in the last few years and wonder if there was some overall grand design to explain the thrust of policy. The ANC has desired a national democratic revolution (NDR). This has been around for a lot of years but has been obscured in the public mind by other issues. He said the ANC had done a fair job of managing a capitalist economy. However since 2007, the NDR had picked up steam. More state planning was coming in. There was renewed talk of land reform. Mining rights were being eroded. Employment equity, empowerment and other goalposts were being shifted. Attacks on the Press were increasing and foreign policy was an issue.
The NDR is an ideology, not an economic reality that dictates much of the ANC’s thinking.
What emerged in 1994 was a compromise, including a sovereign constitution and a long list of rights. Most in the ANC are as passionate as ever about the NDR.
In 1997, 2002 and 2007, Strategy and Tactics documents were set out which included:-
· Liberating blacks from political and economic bondage;
· Eliminating apartheid property relations; and
· The redistribution of wealth, income and land.
Even though the implementation of these were put on hold, full economic emancipation for the black population still remained its goal. Cosatu sees the NDR as the most direct route to socialism. No one in the ruling party can defend corruption.
He said what we could look forward to is a continuing battle between the proponents of the NDR and some of these countervailing forces.
The first lesson is that principled and public opposition can be successful. Secondly, success is probably only temporary, so stay alert and thirdly, if you want to influence the outcome, you have to join the game.
Mr Kane-Berman said that it is time to shift the paradigm. There was a vacuum waiting to be filled. We all take freedom for granted and have scant respect for authority. The NDR condemns blacks to lifetimes without jobs, hope or the ability to read and write and to increasing dependence on the State.
The challenge is to offer them hope and opportunity because it is the right thing to do. This means showing how doubling or tripling the growth rate is essential to generating jobs and how a much friendlier investment climate is essential to speeding up growth. It is a task for all.
Even though capitalism and the free-enterprise system may now be on the back foot, the ANC is in fact running out of NDR role models.
The changing international climate renders the NDR anachronistic.
He tried to identify some of the challenges and to point a way forward. We must avoid learning the hard way. Business has a role to play. We must avoid defeatism, cowardice or complacency. We all need to wake up.
The Chairman thanked Mr Kane-Berman for his address.
A copy of Mr Kane-Berman’s speech is attached to the file copy of this Report.
18. Open Discussion
The Chairman opened the floor for debate.
Mr Keith Archibald, Zululand Planters, said Mac Maharaj had said that there would be a two stage revolution. He asked whether the people in the ANC realised the strategy of the Communist party and asked if the NDR were communists in other clothing.
Mr Kane-Berman said the ANC leadership knew exactly what the ending was. Some points were accepted at their conferences but whether the rank and file knew, was a difficult question to answer. The whole thrust of the ANC policy was to increase dependency on the state. He did not think that the Press were sufficiently alert to NDR use of the media to get their point across.
Mr Hennie de Villiers, Heatonville Farmers’ Association, asked if Mr Kane-Berman believed if the ANC would be open to accept alternative ideas.
Mr Kane-Berman said that in due course they would accept it because they would have no alternative because of stagnant growth, etc. Just as the NP had to abandon an unworkable policy so would the ANC.
Mr Rolf Konigkramer, Kranskop Farmers’ Association said that if the ANC wanted to regulate agriculture and the NDR was self-destructive, what was their aim? Mr Kane-Berman said that their aim was to remake society according to an ideological blue print, an ideology that was difficult to change. They needed to think by a different process and their support base would begin to crumble but it would not happen speedily. He said most people seemed to be unwilling to learn the lessons of history.
Mr Jan Smit, Ingogo Farmers’ Association asked what was the role of education in the NDR as when you educated people they started to think for themselves?
Mr Kane-Berman said that with the higher levels of education, there was a greater threat to the government. Future prosperity of the country and whites depended on a more skilled workforce and education – facing a more contradictory set of circumstances. The ANC would have to recognise that it would have to do something about fixing black education.
The Chairman presented both guests with a small gift and thanked Nedbank for sponsoring this session.
19. Lunch
Mr Howard Long said grace before Congress broke for lunch.
20. Office Bearers
During the lunch break, the Board of Governors met to elect the President and two Vice-Presidents.
These were: President : Mr Brian Aitken
Vice-President : Mr Phenias Gumede
Vice-President : Mr Robin Barnsley
21. Address by Dr Theo de Jager, Agri SA Vice-President, Chairman: Agri SA Transformation Policy Committee and Agri SA Africa Committee, Farmers
The Chairman introduced Dr Theo de Jager to Congress.
Dr de Jager said that when he visited associations, farmers wanted to know if there were different scenarios. They wanted to know:-
– What was up with land reform?
– Did we still have options?
– When did we run out of options?
– How far were we from a Zimbabwe scenario?
He said that we had not gained ground in negotiations but we had not lost either. He said that farmers must make a plan as far as land reform was concerned. The mission should be to preserve the profitability and sustainability of the sector.
In this process we would have to sacrifice something but it would be in a controlled manner. He said there was a way out; that farmers would not remain forever fire fighters to land reform, but must take a leap of faith. He said agriculture must approach the government with a united voice.
He said there were few issues on which we could not win; one was not to be critical on everything all the time but offer government a way out and assist government to save face. He said that the farmers, the ANC and its constituencies were in this together but we must not isolate ourselves from the problems. We must manage our way out of here. We must try to predict the future and manage it now so that it would not catch us by surprise. He said that if land reform failed, everything would fail. If transformation failed, then no one would have peace. He said that the government would not be able to make it happen, so it was up to us.
We were experiencing some of the most troubled times in agriculture in our life time. We must find a way to survive it. Food inflation rose with more than 30% over the past year. There were too many people and too few farmers.
He said there were no guarantees. That was part of the reality in which we were farming. We understood the soul of Africa better than any other. Previous generations had world wars and other wars but the challenge of our generation was to make land reform and restitution work. It would challenge our capacity to adapt.
The Chairman thanked Dr de Jager for his address.
22. Open Discussion
The Chairman opened the floor for debate.
Mr Andrew Poole, Boston Farmers’ Association, asked what alternatives there were to joining the land reform programme? Dr de Jager advised he stay on the land without being stubborn. He said he makes more out of the land that he leases than the land he farms. He said that if you wanted to stay in the industry, then dream big. If you do not become big, you will become the slave of the bigger players. There are however no guarantees.
Mr Edgar Dhlomo from NAFCOC asked Dr de Jager to paint a comparative scenario between KZN and Cape or Mpumalanga as there should be no one size fits all in these issues. There are different problems in different provinces so where would the plan come from? Dr de Jager said we are living in a world in one country. He said that Agri SA looks to KZN to come up with solutions to the problems because KZN have had to deal with them. He said that each province was different with different problems.
The Chairman thanked Dr de Jager for his address.
The Chairman said that the speakers had been invited to talk on opportunity, balance and practicalities. Farming was not for the faint hearted so he encouraged the delegates to go back and think seriously about these issues and report back to their affiliations.
23. Resolution
The Chairman said the Board had mandated him to table the following resolution:-
“The Establishment of a Legal Fund”
The Chairman explained that issues affecting all farmers were constantly arising and Kwanalu felt that they should be in a position to react immediately to some of these.
This fund would be established to:-
· Contribute to the Agri SA legal cases being undertaken on behalf of Kwanalu members;
· To seek legal opinions where necessary;
· Contribute and/or assist in legal challenges;
· Consider the broader benefit and interest of all Kwanalu members.
The implementation would include:-
· A policy to give clear direction on the purpose, use and procedural process to be undertaken with any application or case;
· The board of governors would be advised by an independent team of legal advisors on the merits of contributing, supporting and undertaking a case.
It was proposed that:-
· A once off contribution of R500 per commercial farmer and R250 per small holder/part time farmer be made;
· For a subsequent period of 3 years, the amount of R250 per commercial and R125 per small holder/part time farmer per year be made to the fund;
· Commodity affiliates would also be requested to make contributions;
· Donations/pledges be accepted;
· Should a specific case be before the board and its members, that required additional contributions, this would then be proposed.
The Chairman called on Mr Brian Aitken to propose the acceptance of the resolution.
Mr Aitken said that the establishment of this legal fund was debated long and hard by Kwanalu and it was felt that it was necessary in instances where a desired outcome was needed. He said that public opposition could be successful. If our rights were threatened we must turn to the courts to protect us. He formally proposed the resolution put forward.
Mr Mike Black, KZN MPO, seconded the resolution.
Mr Roger Godsmark, Forestry SA, asked how much the commodity organisations would be asked to contribute. The Chairman said that this would be discussed with each commodity individually.
Mr Tim Ralfe, KZN-RPO, asked if it was not asking a double pay from members and commodities. The Chairman said that the converse actually applied where the commodity members were not members of Kwanalu. He said that we could invoice our members but commodities and agri businesses would be approached for contributions.
Mr Harvey Anderson, Ingwe Farmers’ Association, asked how we would collect this. The Chairman said it would be up to the delegates to go out with a strong motivation the Board would now be tasked with an implementation plan.
Mr Jannie Kemp, Newcastle Farmers’ Association, said that their Association had contributed to the municipal property rates legal fund. He was worried how enforceable this would be on individual members to pay this. He said he was not against the resolution. Perhaps the other avenue was to see if Farmers’ Associations would pay this out of any savings they might have. The Chairman said that it was up to all delegates who would be speaking for their Farmers’ Associations. He said we did not want to find ourselves in a position where legal action was needed and Kwanalu’s participation was not included because of no funding. He said if the resolution was motivated with the support of Congress, then members should pay.
Mr Scot Scott, Izotsha Farmers’ Association, said he thought that agriculture in the next 24 months would be very challenging. To come up with R500 per member was not even an issue. Members spend more than that on DSTv each month. It would be R500 well spent for agriculture in the future.
The resolution was unanimously ACCEPTED.
The Chairman said that it would not be easy, but it was important that members stand together.
24. Closure
Mr Barnsley thanked officials for attending, to the Kwanalu staff for putting Congress together, to the media, the sponsors and the delegates.
The new President, Mr Brian Aitken addressed Congress by thanking everyone for affording him the opportunity of leading the organisation. He said we needed to accommodate everyone in agriculture to be aware the feelings of all. He thanked Mr Barnsley for all he had done. He said delegates must go home and challenge younger farmers to serve agriculture. If we failed with land we would not be in business. With members’ help we would endeavour to address these challenges. If we succeeded, there was a bright future, but if we failed, it was too difficult to envisage.
Mr Barnsley encouraged members to support the new President. He thanked his Vice-Presidents, all Board members and Mrs Joan Anderson from the FWI who had served on the Board for the past 15 years.
The Chairman closed the meeting with a prayer and declared the meeting closed at 15:13.
Kwanalu
P O Box 100123
3209 SCOTTSVILLE
Tel: 033-342 9393
Fax: 033-345 7141
email: director@kwanalu.co.za
21 September 2011
AFTER CONGRESS NOTE:
The election of the Management Committee took place at the Board Meeting after Congress. Together with the President and Vice-Presidents, the following were elected onto Manco:-
Mr Christopher Hadebe
Mr Colin MacDonald
Mr Sisa Damoyi
Mrs Lisa Robinson
