Greytown farmer heads Kwanalu

2015-09-16 06:00

Cheryl Moig
News24

 

 

Congratulations to Greytown farmer Andy Buchan (middle) on being elected president of Kwanalu at the annual congress last week. Phineas Gumede (left) and Mike Black were elected vice-presidents.

KWAZULU-NATAL’S agricultural union, Kwanalu, held its 17th annual congress at the Royal Showgrounds last week with members, farmers and agricultural leaders from all over the province reviewing the past year’s impact on the agricultural community

Andy Buchan, a well-known Greytown farmer, was elected Kwanalu president and in his acceptance speech said:

“The road ahead will no doubt be an arduous one, but I am confident in the strong team we have in Kwanalu. Agriculture is a vehicle in which we can serve the people, and I count it an honour to serve people.”

Outgoing president, Mike Black and Phenias Gumede were elected vice-presidents.

The theme of the congress was “cultivating our future”, which re-cognised and addressed the political, social and economic challenges currently facing farmers in KZN. Speakers encouraged members to remain progressive, pro-active and forward thinking in the coming year. Kwanalu plans to promote sustainable agricultural practices, social upliftment in all communities, economic growth and a secure environment with the intention of encouraging pride, and instilling confidence in the agricultural sector.

The announcement of the 2015 KZN Young Farmer of the Year also took place with the title being awarded to 33-year-old Anthony Goble, a sugar-cane farmer from Tongaat. Anthony will now compete and represent KZN at national level in October for the title of Young Farmer of the Year 2015.

Guest speakers included Justice Malala, award-winning journalist, television host of The Justice Factor and political commentator who spoke about the noise of politics in South Africa from the perspective of a media commentator. Second guest speaker was best-selling business author and independent scenario strategist, Chantell Illbury, who encouraged farmers to see the upcoming trends globally, locally and within agriculture, as positive indicators for the future, and founder of the Wimpy Restaurants Group in the Southern Hemisphere, Eric Tocknell inspired farmers with his motivating address titled “Yes you can”. Kwanalu