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| Namibia Agriculture Union: NAU |
Disclaimer: Although everything has been done to
ensure the accuracy of information, the NAU takes no responsibility for actions
or losses that might occur due to the usage of this information.
THOUGHT
FOR THE WEEK: THE WORD “HAPPINESS” WILL LOOSE ITS MEANING IF IT DOES NOT GET
BALANCED BY GRIEF – Carl Gustav Jung
In today’s
newsletter
·
SACAU
Annual General Meeting and Policy Conference
·
Former
NAU president of Economic Advisory Council
·
Young
Farmer farmers’ day
·
FA
and other news
SACAU
Annual General Meeting and Policy Conference
The
annual SACAU Annual General Meeting and Policy Conference will be held from May
13 – 15 at Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania.
The
Annual General Meeting is traditionally preceeded by the Policy Conference where
all the agricultural unions in Southern Africa reflect about the future of
agriculture in the region. The theme of this years’ Policy Conference is
“Financing agricultural transformation beyond food security”. The conference
will be held in 4 session of which the themes are as follows:
Session 1: New focus on
agricultural development in Africa
Session 2: Update of
selected agricultural development and initiatives in Southern Africa
Seccion 3: Outlook of
certain agricultural commodities and opportunities for producers
Session
4: Reconfiguring agricultural financing
The
conference will mainly focus on the possibilities of agricultural development
besides the supply of food and food security in the region. The aim will also
be to look at alternative possibilities to develop growth and entrepreneurship
in the agricultural sector.
The
current president of SACAU, Mr Felix Jumbe decided to enter the political arena
in Malawi and thus has to resign as president of SACAU. The current vice
president, Dr Theo de Jager of AgriSA acts in the temporary position as
president. One of the points on the Agenda thus will be to elect a new
president for SACAU.
The
AGM and Policy Conference will be attended by the vice chairperson of the NAU
Executive Council, Mr Hellmut Förtsch and the Executive Manager, Mr Sakkie
Coetzee.
Former
NAU president on Economic Advisory Council
When
elected together with 8 other well known business people to advise President
Pohamba economically, a special honour was placed on former NAU president, Mr
Raimar von Hase. The President’s Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) was already
established in the nineties, when late Mr Jan de Wet served on it as NAU
president, but it was dormant for a long period.
When
appointing the new advisors President Pohamba pointed out that he expects
quality advice from them in order to contribute towards economic growth in
Namibia and to reach the aims of the 4th National Development Plan. Economic
growth, employment creation and poverty alleviation will be some of the burning
questions which will be addressed by the Council.
Dr
John Steytler, the Statistics General of Namibia will be the chairperson.
Young
Farmer farmers’ day
The
very popular NAU/Mutual & Federal Young Farmer of the Year farmers’ day
will be held next week on 15 & 16 May at Hannes and Jomarie Visagie’s farm Nabome, south of Aranos. As expected
this farmers day will again be a highlight on the calender of the NAU. A big
effort was made to get well known speakers for this day and these include inter
alia Dr Jasper Coetzee, Dr Hensie Lategan, Hein Wagner (a blind motivational
speaker), Ernst Janovsky and Riaan Dames.
The
president of the NAU, Mr Derek Wright decided to rather attend the farmers’ day
than to attend the SACAU AGM in Dar-Es-Salaam. The former president of the NAU,
Mr Ryno van der Merwe will also attend the farmers’ day with Mr Wright and
members then have the opportunity to communicate with them.
AEA Congress
The 26th annual congress of the Agricultural
Employers Association (AEA) will be held on June 18 at 07:30 at the Arebbush
Travel Lodge, Windhoek. The theme is “Learn from one another” and the congress
will be addressed by various expert speakers. The congress documents were sent
to Farmers Associations on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. For more information please
contact Danie van Vuuren of the AEA at Tel 061 237838, lwv-aea@agrinamibia.com.na.
Research about San
The San are the most
vulnerable and impoverished ethnical group in Namibia. There are approximately
30 000 San people in Namibia which are further sub-divided into six different
language groups. In the past decade various initiatives and attempts were made
by interested parties such as the
Government, development partners and national and international NGO’s to
address this problem.
The Legal Assistance Centre in
cooperation with the Desert Research Foundation recently released a study about
the living conditions of the San in Namibia. The aim of this study which
started in 2011 is to indicate the progress and challenges of the San
communities with regard to issues such as their existence, poverty, health,
training, participation and representation.
The report reflects that
poverty, literacy and alcohol abuse are the biggest problems and only few San
people have permanent employment. Those who work are mostly employed temporary
where the renumeration is low. Few San children complete their school education
which causes that the new generation again lapses into poverty.
A workshop about this research
was held in Windhoek on April 16 and Mr van Vuuren attended on behalf of the
AEA. Recommendations were made at the workshop about how to address the problems
as mentioned in the report. The final research report including the
recommendations of the workshop will be released in August 2013.
Competition
for farmers
Gondwana is offering a
competition for farmers and they are looking for Namibia’s most inspiring Farm
Name of the Year. There are two ways how farmers can participate: send a photo
of the name board with the particularly inspiring farm name or you can visit
the Gondwana stand at the Namibia Tourism Expo and vote there for the inspiring
name. Prizes are up to 103 nights with breakfast at Gondwana Lodges. For more
details visit the following website:
FA
and other news
The
Young Farmer of the Year Farmers Day
is held on May 15 and 16 at Farm Nambome (Aranos) of Hannes and Jomarie Visagie. The program starts on both days at 08:00 and not at 09:00 on May 15 as was
previously reported. On the program are interesting speakers such as Dr Jasper
Coetzee, Dr Hensie Lategan, Hein Wagner (blind motivation speaker), Ernst
Janovsky, Riaan Dames and many more. Carpe Diem is the theme of the Womens’
program with Cheese and Wine tasting and discussed by a winemaker of the Cape.
Clay pigeon shooting, a knitting competition and jumping castles for children
are just some of the entertainment. Hein Wagner will also specially talk to the
children. You may not miss this opportunity! For more details and the full
program contact Hannes or Jomarie: 081 1249902 / 081 6421551 / 063 275342 or
mail to jwv@iway.na
or jwv@mweb.com.na.
Hochfeld FA is
holding a member meeting on May 16 at 14:00 at Farm Geduld of Jörg and Bianca
Marggraff. Guest speakers are Claudia Mack of Feedmaster, Chavoux Luyt of the
Cheetah Conservation Fund and Mr Hendrik Botha talks about drought management.
For further details contact René van Heerden, Tel 062 549025, hochfeldbv@gmail.com.
Kalkplato FA is
hosting a Potjiekos competition on May 18 at Farm Witbooisvlei, Mariental. The
first prize is N$10 000, the second N$5 000 and the third prize N$3 000. The
best stand wins N$2 500. The day is concluded with a dinner and dance to the
music of Leon Jacobs. Costs are N$120 which includes the meal. For further
information and entry forms contact Jurgens, Tel 081 1275403 or Morne, Tel 081
3769156, simon1@iway.na.
The
Groofontein Museum is hosting a
public lecture by Dr Roy Miller on
May 23 at 18:00 at the Grootfontein Museum. The theme is “Climate change: Multidisciplinary evidene shows that the sun and water
an not CO2, have been and will continue to be the main drivers of past, present
and future climates”. Refreshments and a light luncheon will be offered for
sale. For further details contact the Museum at Tel 067 242456, Mr Günther
Friederich, Tel 067 242011, Mr Ulli Prickett, Tel 067 242478 or Mrs Paula
Gressmann, Tel 067 240466.
The 2013 Dare to Care Disaster
Fund golf day will be held on May
31, 2013 at the Omeya golf course
outside Windhoek. During the past 5 years the Dare to Care Disaster Fund has
paid ± N$120 000 to victims of veld fires, floods, farm attacks, etc. The costs
for the golf day per team of 4 players are N$3 000 and if they also take a golf
cart it will be N$3 500 per team. We also appeal to farmers to donate prizes
for the golf day. For further details and entry forms contact Erika, Tel 061
237838, evg@agrinamibia.com.na
Blumfelde
FA is holding a wine auction on May 31 at
18:30 for 19:00 at the FA hall. Costs are N$100 per person and please register
before the time. For further enquiries and to register contact Magret Binneman,
Tel 081 4440334 or Larisa van Vuuren, Tel 081 2059313.
A Brangus Promotion Day will
be held on May 25 at 08:30 at the Blaauwberg auction pens at Farm Namatubis.
Speakers are inter alia Dr Martin Ferreira from Virbac, Dr Paul Lubout and Mr
Gero Bajorat from DIS Engineering. During the ladies’ program Antoinette de
Chavonnes Vrugt will hold a food demonstration. The day is concluded with a
steak braai and dance. For further details contact Magdel Pretorius, Tel 067
313061, magdelp@iway.na or click on the following link:
The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia is holding an Arabian night
evening on June 1 at 16:00 at the Gymkhana Club, Windhoek. On the program is a
well known singer, fire artists, belly dancers and the day is concluded with a
Spitbraai. For further details contact Susan de Meyer, Tel 081 1289003, sdemeyer@mweb.com.na or Trina Oppermann, Tel
0027 835670936, trina@simplydesign.co.za or visit the websites www.arabianevents.co.za, www.namibarab.com. At 10:00 in the morning
an Arab horse auction is held at the Agra /
Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek showgrounds.
A Simbra farmer’s day
will be held on June 5 at 09:00 at farm Neu Otjisauona of Diethelm and Katja
Metzger. Guest speakers are Mr Derek Wright, the president of the NAU, Dr
Michael Bradfield and Mr Peter Massmann. The day is concluded with a braai. For
further details and to register contact Diethelm or Katja Metzger, Tel 062
682115 or Hennie Kruger, Tel 081 2964280.
The Limousin Breeders Association is offering a two-day judging course
on 6 & & June at Farm Ombuerendende of Sigi and Heide Baas.
Registration fee is N$750 per person. Please register before May 24 with Ellie
Lottering, Tel 081 2924917, franseli@iway.na.
Grootfontein/Tsumeb/Otavi (GTO) RAU is hosting a fire
fighting day on June 15 at 07:30 at the Dornhügel Guest Farm, 40km on the
Rundu Berg Aukas road. Matters such as legal accountability, fire belts and
preventative fires and measures how to prevent fires will be discussed and at
13:00 a sightseeing of the burned parts on Dornhügel will be visited. All FA
chairpersons as well as farm managers are welcome to attend as fire guidelines
will be drafted during the meeting. Costs are N$80 per person and only persons who
registered can take part. Please register before May 20 with Willem Enslin, Tel
081 2305078.
On June 28 & 29 a “visiting festival” (kuierfees) is held
at Grootfontein at the show grounds.
On Saturday an “Idols” competition, fashion show, clay pigeon shooting, school
rugby, helicopter flights, children entertainment, etc will be held. Saturday
evening “4Werke” (Ray Dilan, Nicholas Louw, Elizma Theron and Monique) will
perform. Stands are free of charge. For further details visit the website www.kuierfees.com.
The Braunvieh Cattle Breeders Association is offering a trainings- and
judging course from July 2 at 14:00 until July 4 at 12:00 at Farm Keizen, ±
20km south of Summerdown and ± 36km north of Steinhausen. The course is offered
by Barend Dorfling and Willie Grobler and limited accommodation is available.
The costs are ± N$750 per person and interested parties must register before
May 31 at Henriette le Grange, Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na.
A Simmentaler judging course will be held
from July 16 – 18 in the Gobabis vicinity. Interested parties can contact Mr H
Kruger, simnamibia@gmail.com.
Karibib FA is
holding a meeting on July 20 at 16:00 at Farm Habis Noord of Dr Herbert
Schneider. Guest speakers are Mr Gladis who will talk about farm safety and a
person from Radio Electronics who will talk about farm radios. For further
details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, doris.gladis@elvey.zo.ca.
Ongombe FA informed that the annual
Communal Show will be held from July 22 – 28 at the Windhoek Showgrounds. For
further details contact Albert Tjihero, Tel 081 2331618.
|
WEEKLY
|
||||||
|
Exchange
Rate NAD (04-10 May 2013)
|
||||||
|
May
|
EURO
|
USD
|
POUND
|
PULA
|
||
|
Saturday
|
4
|
11.688
|
8.911
|
13.877
|
1.101
|
|
|
Sunday
|
5
|
11.688
|
8.911
|
13.877
|
1.101
|
|
|
Monday
|
6
|
11.748
|
8.988
|
13.966
|
1.107
|
|
|
Tuesday
|
7
|
11.797
|
9.017
|
13.946
|
1.106
|
|
|
Wednesday
|
8
|
11.877
|
9.012
|
14.025
|
1.110
|
|
|
Thursday
|
9
|
11.771
|
8.983
|
13.924
|
1.106
|
|
|
Friday
|
10
|
11.799
|
9.068
|
13.961
|
1.110
|
|
|
Saturday
to Thursday: 16:00 UTC (Coordinated
Universal Time)
|
||||||
|
Friday: 10:45 UTC
|
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