Over the last five years, it has become clear that focusing on the positive yields even better life skills outcomes for farm workers. By Gerrit Rautenbach The Fruit Workers’ Development Trust (FWDT) is a 100% BEE entity, as defined by…
“Uithou, aanhou en bekhou!” – Irene Cillié. On 16 May this year the family and extended farm family of Laastedrif and surrounds said goodbye to Irene Cillié, the mother of many. On that same day her son, Rossouw, custodian of…
After 10 generations of the Van der Merwes’ custodianship, Boplaas in the Koue Bokkeveld not only is home to the oldest family business but, is one of the most exquisite fruit producers in SA. By Gerrit Rautenbach In 1743 Izak…
Where Mitchell’s Pass begins, just outside the town of Wolseley, you’ll find the farm Ou Stasie on your right. Peaches, pears, nectarines, and plums. It is on this farm, 41 years ago that a remarkable woman was born. Fortune favours…
While we don’t know for how many years the Witte Wijn apple, the first-ever apple variety picked in the Cape in 1662, was lost, estimates by Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing’s sleuths suggest it may have been hundreds of years. Since returning…
More than 60 years ago Dr Paul Clüver’s mother, Gertrude, established a farm school on De Rust, the family farm in the Elgin Valley. With only 23 learners. A small first step is key to a great journey, Gerrit Rautenbach…
On 13 April 2021, Doug Osler was crowned the Free State Agriculture’s Young Farmer of the Year. A magnificent achievement, but it is something that comes from way back. Gerrit Rautenbach went to look at the past that determined his…
(Summary extracted from a report by the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce)* Fresh produce—fruits and vegetables—is essential to a healthy diet, yet the industry that brings these foods to our tables faces significant challenges. Understanding the complexities behind costs, pricing,…
Tanja Hichert is a professional futurist who has helped an impressive list of clients — from the City of Cape Town to the World Bank — to identify ways in which to reach their preferred futures. By Anna Mouton. Hichert…
Ouplaas is an exceptional farm in the Witzenberg Valley. More impressive is that many of the inhabitants are runners. No, not running away, but running to be better at what they do. Breaking records in all sorts of events. Maybe…
No one can predict the future. But can we identify actions that we can take today to shape a better tomorrow? By Anna Mouton. Hortgro recently contracted professional futurist Tanja Hichert to facilitate a foresight study for the pome- and…
The Jobs Fund (JF) project of the South African deciduous fruit industry is on track and progressing well in the Langkloof. The JF is the commercialisation of emerging growers and an initiative by the Deciduous Fruit Development Chamber (DFDC). It…