Friday, January 20, 2012

Namibia Agriculture Union


WEEKLY NEWS – 13 January 2012
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: THE GREATEST JOY IN OUR LIFE ARE THE SMALL RAYS OF SUNSHINE WHICH FALL ON OUR WAY EACH DAY
In today’s newsletter –
·         Welcome back
·         New outbreak of foot-and-mouth in South Africa keeps border closed
·         Questionnaire about details of farms for land tax
·         New SSC Commissioners
·         FA and other news

Welcome back
2012 did not start for many producers with the same highlight as 2011 with regard to rain, but we trust that the forecast by the weather prophets will come true and that this season from February to April will be an above average rainy season.

We trust that all members had a welcome rest and restored their strength for 2012. We reckon that again numerous challenges will await us this year and trust that the joint power of the NAU will cope with these challenges.

We took note with regret of the deaths of Mr Matthias Dohmen of Grootfontein as well as MrEkkehardKülbs of Dordabis. Both these members made their marks in the agricultural sector, even though at a relatively young age. Our deepest sympathy to the families of these members.

2012 is also the last year of the current president,MrRyno van der Merwe and a new president will have to be elected during the congress in October. The president of the NAU represents the image of the NAU and we hope that you will start now already to search for a capable candidate for this most important position.

New outbreak of foot-and-mouth in South Africa keeps border closed
A new outbreak of foot-and-mouth adjacent to the border of the Kruger Game Parkin South Africa resulted that the border for import of livestock and livestock products from South Africa is still closed. The Directorate of Veterinary Services will monitor the situation and we will inform you immediately once the border is opened again.

Questionnaire about details of farms for land tax
Numerous enquiries about the questionnaire for details for land tax purposes which was published on November 15, 2011 in the Government Gazette were received. This questionnaire still has to be sent officially to land owners by the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement and thus does not have to be completed at this stage. In terms of the Act this questionnaire has to be returned by January 30, 2012 but this date has been postponed for the time being until further notice.


Agricultural projects/activities in Namibia based on Israeli methods/technology
The Ambassador to the State of Israel, His Excellency Dan Shaham, enquired about the existence of any agricultural projects/ activities in Namibia that are based on Israeli methods/technology.  His Excellency will bring an official visit to Namibia in February 2012 and wishes to visit any such agricultural projects/activities during this time.  The reason for the visit is, among others, to strengthen relations and to investigate possible cooperation & assistance with regards to agricultural production.
If you have any information in this regard, kindly contact Rina Hough at the office of the Namibia Agricultural Union at 061-237838 or e-mail rina@agrinamibia.com.na
New SSC Commissioners
We have been advised that appointments to the new Board of the Social Security Commission have been gazetted in Government Gazette No. 4859, Notice No. 237.
The representatives nominated by the employers (NEF) are:
Mr. Derek Wright (also Vice-Chairman of the AEA)
Mr.HofniShikongo
Mrs. Evelyn Breuer.

We congratulate these members and thank them for their commitment, wishing them every success for the next three years.
Meatco information days
Following a submission by consultants about the new Meatco structure in December last year, Meatco decided to host Road Shows in order to inform producers. These Road Shows will take place on the following days:
16 January at 18:00 at the hall of the Catholic Church, MandumeNdemufayoStr, Windhoek; 17 January at 09:00 at the Goba Lodge, Gobabis; 18 January at 09:00 at the hall of the Catholic Church, MandumeNdemufayoStr, Windhoek; 19 January at 09:00 at the Anandi Guesthouse, Mariental; 20 January at 09:00 at the hall of the Catholic Church, MandumeNdemufayoStr, Windhoek. Further dates in other regions will be announced in due course. For further details and to register contact Erica Mbaundja (for Windhoek and Mariental) at Tel 061 3216034 and Rene Bezuidenhout (for Gobabis) at Tel 062 562091.
NSBA Meat production school
The Namibia Stud Breeders Association is hosting a meat production school from March 13 – 15, 2012 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Showgrounds. On March 13 a welcome function will be held at the Safari Hotel at 19:00 and will be opened by the Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr John Mutorwa. On March 14 & 15 the program each starts at 08:00. The ladies program is on March 14 and will be from 14:00 – 17:00 and the gala evening is on March 14 at 19:00 at the Safari Hotel. Speakers at the school will be Messrs R E F Rusch, PoenaPotgieter, Prof F W Neser, Dr H Dreyer, Brian Finkley (UK) Walter Roodt, Leon Lubbe, Dr M Bradfield, Martin Ferreira, Bertus Kruger, Mr Kellerman and Francois de Chalain. The summary will be done by the chairperson of the NSBA, MrRyno van der Merwe. Registration fee for the full school is N$850 per person whereby meals and material are included. A one day attendance will be N$430 per person whereby meals and material are included. The fee for the ladies program is N$250 per person whereby coffee and cake is included and the speaker at the ladies program is RiaanMomberg who talks about Efekto in and around the house. Further details from MrEls, Tel 061 235158, Jacque@iway.na. Entry forms are available at the NSBA or can be downloaded from the NAU website at http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/index.php?module=TimeIt&func=event&id=457.
FA and other news
Kaiserstreet FA is hosting an information day on January 26 at 09:00 at the church hall of the NG Church, Windhoek West, Goshawk Str, Hochland Park, Windhoek. The theme is „Wealth, the coin side of debt – leverage to wealth“ and the Master of Ceremonies is Mr Mike Strohman. Speakers are Arthur Kamp, Prof Diescho, Prof Johan van Rooyen, Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, DrDawieBlignaut and André Diederichs. The fee is N$100 per person which includes a light meal. For further details contact RiaanLaubscher, Tel 081 1220058, riaan3@mweb.com.na.
The 2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on March 31, 2012 at the Keetmanshoop Show Grounds. The theme is “//karas” (which means Kokerboom). Exhibitors can book their exhibition space now already. Entries for the braai teams close on February 15, 2011. Further details for the booking of stands can be obtained from Antoinette Oosthuysen,  Tel 063 683433, antoinetteoosthuysen@iway.na. To enter braai teams – FA and social, contact Brenda Kotze, Tel 063 281208, Kalahari@iway.na and any other information can be obtained from Willem Steenkamp, Tel 063 280655, toulon@iway.na.
Karibib FA is holding a meeting on March 3 at 17:00 at Kaltenhausen. For further details contact MrPolla Swart, Tel 061 241191.





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