General
Cape Women's Agricultural Association (WAA)
This year, Agri-Expo granted financial assistance and support to the Cape WAA. During August, the Marketing Manager represented the Society at its 79th Annual Congress in Jeffreys Bay, with the theme, "Women of Tomorrow". The Society also contributes financially towards Circle Tygerberg's annual show, and we made our trophies available to be awarded in the different categories. The Marketing Manager also attended the opening of 42nd Circle Tygerberg conference in March.
The Cape WAA deserves praise for the outreach projects in which they are involved. They helped under-privileged young rugby players to participate in the Craven and academic rugby week; raised funds and renovated a cottage for 16 girls at a youth centre in Port Elizabeth; took care of street children and tried to re-unite them with their parents; offered support to municipalities in maintaining museums, and assisted rural towns to beautify their pavements and gardens.
Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC)
Agricultural Congres of the RASC in Christchurch, New Zealand
Fltr: Duimpie Bayly; Breyton Milford (Project co-ordinator);
Philip Bolam (Honorary press secretary of the RASC);
Johan Ehlers (Chief executive officer) and Pieta Conradie (President)
The Society's Board sent a delegation, consisting of the President, Vice President and the Chief Executive Officer to attend the 23rd Commonwealth Agricultural Congress in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Society's Project Co-ordinator was awarded a bursary to also attend the congress. This bursary is intended for the "next generation" of the RASC. Potential candidates must be nominated by an agricultural society and must be younger than 30 years. The theme for this year's congress was "The Challenges of Change". This informative four-day congress, attended by more than 150 delegates of various agricultural societies within the Commonwealth, addressed several relevant aspects. Feedback about the congress was given to different interest groups at various opportunities.
During the year the RASC's Honorary Press Secretary as well as the Press Secretary visited the Society.
Agricultural Writers Society
Agri-Expo's membership of the Agricultural Writers Society forms part of its mission to promote the image of agriculture. Every year, Agri-Expo hosts the Agricultural Writers Society's national photo competition and provides administrative assistance.
This year, there were several entries of exceptional high standard which challenged the judges. The winning photo was entered by John Norval with the theme "Resounding hooves".
EXSA Conference
The EXSA Conference was held with the theme WIDING HORIZONS. It was the first time that the conference was held outside the Gauteng area. The actual conference ran from the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. The entertainment was designed to show off our beautiful City and Agri-Expo was tasked with running the Welcome Party - uniquely set up on Bikini Beach in Gordon's Bay.
Conservation
During the past few years, Agri-Expo supported two projects managed by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature). Due to the fact that it is mainly agricultural methods that threaten the natural habitat of the Riverine Rabbit, the Society has considered this conservation project as priority for several years now.
Agri-Expo also supports the Karoo Eco-schools project. From a young age, learners are made aware of conservation and the role of existing agricultural practices in the destruction or conservation of the environment. The funds made available by the Society were also used to develop a board game that portrays the various processes. Learners loved the game, and it proved to be extremely successful.
Feedback and personal visits by project managers on a quarterly basis keep us informed of the progress. This year, the Society also participated in the WWF's Earth Hour initiative, which emphasised the importance of saving electricity. The Chief Executive Officer represented the Society at the Waterfront on 28 March, on which occasion the lights on Table Mountain were switched off.
Staff
After a taxing first six months of the financial year, the staff had the privilege to attend a team-building session at the Cape Town International Convention Centre during December. Dr Ben Zander, world renowned conductor and motivational speaker, led the session with the theme "The art of possibility". Such events are definitely worthwhile and an enriching experience for staff members.
A great honour was bestowed on Mr Kobus Mulder, Manager: Dairy this year as he was appointed Dairy Newsmaker of the Year by the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO. This award was handed to him during an ostentatious event in Port Elizabeth. The Society is indeed proud of Mr Mulder's contribution to the dairy industry in South Africa.
The Project Co-ordinator, Mr Breyton Milford, has been nominated by the RASC to visit Papua New Guinea during October 2009, together with 11 other members of the "Next Generation" group. The purpose of this visit is to support new and small farmers in remote areas, pass on information and offer training. This is an exceptional opportunity created by the Commonwealth, and Agri-Expo is proud that Mr Milford is part of such an exquisite group of young people.
by Milk Producers Organisation (MPO)
the RASC Congress
Investments
This year will be remembered as one of the worst in terms of economic collapse and the global financial crisis. Experienced investors have never experienced such markets, and it has been compared with the global depression of the 1930s.
Locally, pessimism about the markets dominated the news and economic growth slowed down significantly. The questions posed by investors are: What now? How do we react to this market situation?
Fact remains, no one knows for sure what is going to happen in the short term. Agri-Expo is a long-term investor and believes that a well-diversified portfolio will limit its risks. The Society follows a balanced investment plan, including the full spectrum of portfolios (shares, stocks, cash and property) in both local and international markets. The focus is on real growth in the long term, and growth of investments is monitored continually. Trust in the fund managers and a conservative investment plan came to the benefit of the Society during these difficult times. A positive yield was achieved from all investments, which appropriated the Society's business activities.