The fully-booked session on the upcoming elections had a sensible excitement throughout the healthy debate. Panellists, comprising Waldimar Pelser, Moeletsi Mbeki, Wandile Sihlobo, Isaac Matshego and JP Landman, did not disappoint. Questions were head-on and were also answered in no uncertain terms.
Panellists did not agree on the issue whether land reform is necessary or not, and the discussion on possible coalitions was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
The political analysts were clear: “The only way any coalition can work, is if the focus shifts from WHO to HOW,” JP Landman stated, where Moeletsi Mbeki stated that policy reform and political change are needed in SA. “The ANC sees social support as a sign of success, where it actually is a sign of failure. More than 50% households are receiving welfare. A society like that is in deep trouble.”
Everyone agreed on one thing: Elections trigger a lot of instability.
During the session where the importance of a farmer’s back office was discussed, Jaco Minnaar, JP Meintjes and AC van Wyk – experienced producers and macro farmers – agreed that the back office is vital in optimising productivity and profit, and, although it is not a farmer’s core business, that it must be done effectively to support and optimise farming activities. “The specific needs of the farm must firstly be analysed before implementing the back-office activity. After the need analysis is done, the final decision for the plan of action still lies with the farmer,” Van Wyk highlighted.
Minnaar listed the three reasons for a back office: “It helps with control, it supports your business to organise better, and it improves intelligence to make informed decisions.” He is convinced that the better the back office, the better decisions can be made.
Francois de Kock, Managing Executive of Agri Credit Solutions, explained how they use digital platforms like the Senwes app or WhatsApp to share information to producers to make things easier for them. “You need business partners to help you with specialised services if you are not an expert yourself, but they must understand your business. Choose them wisely.”
Today Groenebloem farmers’ union and Manna study group received cheques of respectively R87 414,75 and R67 837,33. This was again made possible by AgriRewards+, the Senwes platform which gives back to communities. More than R500 000 will be paid out to farmers’ unions during the course of Nampo.
Watch these discussions here if you missed it.
Issued by Nation in Conversation: 15 May 2024