RECORD OF THE KWANALU CONGRESS HELD ON THURSDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2013 AT THE ROYAL SHOW, PIETERMARITZBURG CONGRESS THEME “Focusing on the Future” Congress outlines the challenges and opportunities of current day activities and the role of the agricultural sector in KwaZulu-Natal 1. Registration 2. Welcome The Chairman, Brian Aitken, called the meeting to order and welcomed the guests, amongst others, John Black, an Honorary Life Vice-President of Kwanalu, Robin Barnsley and his wife Sharon, Cyril Xaba, Per Bjorvig, Andries Geyser, Edgar Dhlomo, Students from Weston and Cedara Colleges, SAPS members, various Department officials, sponsors and the press. Apologies had been recorded on the attendance register. He explained that after a review by the Board and Manco, the day’s proceedings would run a little differently as in the past. There would be a longer tea break followed by the Guest Speakers and lunch would move to after the conclusion of Congress. 3. Scripture reading and prayer Andy Buchan opened Congress with a scripture reading and a prayer. He read from Romans 5, 3-5. He said we all went through trials and tribulations but we hold onto hope. We can put our hope in the Lord who never changes. He opened the Congress with a prayer. 4. Motions The Chairman requested Congress to stand for a moment’s silence in remembrance of the three members of Kwanalu, Jannie Boshoff, Jannie Kemp and Theuns van Rensburg who had tragically perished in a light aeroplane crash returning home after last year’s Congress and all those who had lost loved ones as well as those who had been victims of crime since the 2012 Congress. 5. Constitution of Congress The CEO, 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. There would be a panel discussion after the guest speakers’ addresses. Voting for Officer Bearers would take place at tea time. 6. President’s Address The Chairman presented his President’s Address to Congress. A copy of his address is attached to this report. In changing from tradition, instead of presenting his address from the Annual Report, he said he would report on noteworthy matters. If he could leave a message, it would be to encourage young farmers and the not so young. He said that removing the uncertainties around land should be important. Zimbabwean farmers had said that farmers should never become politically involved and that they should act now. 1 In encouraging farmers to be positive, he said that land was an emotional issue and trying to solve the problem would require rational and concise thinking and that the farmers were an important role player in the country. The image of agriculture must change but the economics of farming must remain in tact. He said that Government viewed agriculture as a corner stone of the country’s economy. With regards the land audit, it was vital to get this right. He said that the prospects of robust growth in the agricultural sector had not looked this good for a long time, but constraints such as natural resources, water and land impacted on the struggle to expand the agricultural sector. Increased spending power of urban consumers was creating opportunities for local agricultural business and this could only bode well for the farmer. Some poor farming practices had taken place across the country and he implored that this not happen in KwaZulu-Natal. He said that Kwanalu held firm to the various policies which formed the basis of how business was conducted. Mr Aitken thanked the Kwanalu CEO and the staff for all their efforts on behalf of the farmers, the members who supported the organisation, Government and other stakeholders and said that it had been an honour and privilege to have worked with the farmers of KwaZulu-Natal. Mr Gumede, the Vice-President, thanked the President for his address. He proposed the adoption of the President’s address. 7. Review 2012/2013 By means of the data projector, the CEO presented a Review of the 2012/2013 year. A copy of the presentation is attached to this report. She referred to last year’s resolution:- “Congress appeals to Government to recognise the agricultural sector as one of KwaZulu- Natal’s greatest assets. The ongoing challenges of, amongst others, land reform, unemployment, lawlessness, a perceived lack of respect for property, rising input costs (including administered prices such as those associated with water and electricity), a degenerating infrastructure, all lead to a lack of investment in agricultural and the perpetuation of a generally negative outlook. Congress calls on Government to create an environment which is conducive to the creation of employment opportunities, growth, development and the improvement of confidence in and within the agricultural sector.” She gave feedback on some of the areas handled over the last year, which were categorised into the following:- - Issue Management o Natural Resources o Labour and Social Investment o Commercial Policy o Transformation and Rural Development o Rural Safety and Security o Communication and Image Building - Organisational - General 2 She reported that a number of meetings had been held with Eskom to try to find solutions. Water validation, verification and use was a serious problem and a challenge. Labour had taken up a lot of time. KwaZulu-Natal was not immune to labour unrest. It had been a challenge but had been handled well. A survey was held to look at the way forward relative to increased wages and it was concerning to see the increase in job losses. Input from members was received and legal opinion was obtained to establish what was in the best interests of members. She said that commodities handle their commodity specific issues, Kwanalu supports them in this and likewise Kwanalu seeks support from commodities in general affairs which is Kwanalu’s mandate. With regard Municipal Property Rates, she said that Farmers’ Associations battle with technical irregularities but said that Farmers’ Associations must be involved in negotiations with municipalities. She said that the Mineral Petroleum Rights Development Act which was the legislation that governed fracking we would possibly see an escalation of activities in the province with mining companies being awarded exploration rights Kwanalu would remain involved. She made mention of the Templeton Foundation Project run in collaboration with the University of Missouri which was a research project to understand the social and economic aspects of food security in KwaZulu-Natal. With regard to Transformation and Rural Development, she announced that the MEC had signed an agreement which would allow for a Development Desk to assist emerging farmers. A fairly detailed report was made on the various land policies, bills and draft strategies currently being anticipated by the government. She reported that a great deal of time and effort was spent on continually lobbying and representing the interests of Kwanalu’s members on these serious matters. Referring to the Kwanalu Safety and Security Desk, she thanked the security forces for their assistance. She encouraged the farmers associations to work closely with the relevant security forces at local level as it was quite evident where good relationships existed at a local level crime prevention and follow up was far more efficient. 8. Financial Statements year ending 30 June 2013 The CEO said that the year ended in June 2013 and the audit had been completed and copies of the financials had been posted to delegates. She presented the audited financial statements to Congress. 9. Annual membership subscription & Budget proposal The CEO presented the proposed Income and Expenditure for year ending 2014. The CEO informed Congress that according to the Kwanalu Constitution, the Board of Governors had proposed subscriptions for the 2014/2015 year. These would be: • Commercial farmers (including Vat) – R1 969.10 if received by 30 September 2014 or R2 083.50 if received thereafter • Part time / smallholder farmers (including Vat) – R985.70 if received by 30 September 2014 or R1 041.60 if received thereafter • Previously disadvantaged farmers (including Vat) – R270.00 The budget proposed by the Kwanalu Board of Governors for 2014/2015 was presented to Congress. The Chairman opened the floor to any questions of which there were none. 3 11. Acceptance Mr Black proposed the acceptance of the financials, the budget and the subscriptions. These were seconded and unanimously ACCEPTED . 12. Presentation of Awards The CEO advised Congress that she was pleased to announce that:- • A long service award was presented to Mrs Lyn Vincent for 30 years service to Kwanalu. • An Honorary Life Presidency award made to Mr Robin Barnsley, a past President of Kwanalu. Mr Barnsley said that it had been a great privilege to serve Kwanalu and said that leadership was about service. He thanked Congress for the honour bestowed on him and said that even though he was now an Honorary Life Member, he would continue to pay his Kwanalu subscriptions and challenged all Life Members to pay Kwanalu subscriptions. 13. Acknowledgment of Sponsors The Chairman thanked the sponsors for their generous contributions and continued donations and support of Congress. 14. Tea Congress adjourned for tea. 15. Office Bearers During the tea break, the Board of Governors met to elect the President and two Vice- Presidents. These were: President : Mike Black Vice-President : Phenias Gumede Vice-President : Angus Buchan 16. Address by Dr Theo de Jager, Vice-President Agri SA Transformation Committee, additional member of Agri SA Africa Policy Committee, President: SACAU The Chairman introduced Dr de Jager to the meeting. A copy of the presentation is attached to this report. “Creating wealth through agriculture in Southern Africa” Dr de Jager said that people should encourage one another and stay positive until after the elections next year.