Social Dialogue through Deputy President's Office gains traction
After bilateral engagements with the Deputy Presidents Office over the past two months, the Deputy President called his third Dialogue Meeting with stakeholders on sustainable solutions for farmworkers in the Western Cape specifically, but also on a national basis, for the 22nd of October 2013. The Deputy President, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, stressed the importance of social dialogue to prevent a recurrence of last year's violent labour unrest in the Western Cape, and especially in the De Doorns region and community. While labour had the right to collective labour action, this must take place within the confines of the Constitution and the laws of the country. Farmers likewise need to comply with labour and other legislation, and see farmworkers as partners in their business. Please click on Summary of the Way Forward and ASUF Submission for further information.
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COSATU Brings Section 77 Application against whole Agricultural Value Chain
COSATU initially submitted a Section 77 application to NEDLAC on the 23rd of July 2013, but after consideration of the legality of the application, an alternative Section 77 application was submitted to NEDLAC in October 2013. The application essentially concerns the lack of transformation in the whole agricultural value chain, including right up to the retailers. To this end the respondents are listed as Agri SA and associated organisations, the South African Government (Presidency), farmers individually and collectively, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and its affiliates, Retailers Association, Agri-sector Unity Forum (ASUF), SALGA and all others in the broader value chain. A Section 77 application is a legal process that all parties, applicants and respondents, are compelled to follow before protest action, through strike action and boycotts, can be legally instituted. There is also a Section 77 Protocol that has to be followed by all parties. The applicant (COSATU) and respondents met on the 29th of October 2013 and a process will now be put in place within the next three weeks to consider the demands and ambitions of COSATU. There is concern from industry in terms of the duplication of this process with the Deputy President's Dialogue Initiative, which industry believes should have precedence.
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Bills tabled in Parliament to impact on Agribusiness
This past week three Bills were tabled in Parliament that will have an impact on Agribusiness. Agribusinesses are encouraged to peruse to ascertain what the potential impact will be. Changes may however still occur during the parliamentary process. The Bills are the:
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DRDLR presents to Parliament on SPLUMA and its Recapitalisation Programme
This part week the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) presented on the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA), as well as on its Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RADP), to the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform in Parliament. Agbiz participated fully in the SPLUMA development process in NEDALAC before the Bill was submitted to Parliament and subsequently assented by President ZUMA. It is an important piece of legislation underpinning land reform and will no doubt impact also on agriculture and agribusiness as it relates specifically to land use in future. The RADP has been hampered by many challenges and it is important to note these. Please click SPLUMA Presentation and Recapitalisation Presentation to peruse the further detail.
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BUSA reacts to the 2013 MTBPS
 Special Adviser for Business Unity South Africa, Prof Raymond Parsons on 29 October presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance on 2013 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement. Download presentation»
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ARC submits its 2013 Annual Report to Parliament
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) submitted its 2013 Annual Report to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries this past week. Please click on ARC 2013 Annual Report to peruse.
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News form the wine Industry
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USAID Hub Happenings - October issue
Nakonde Border Assessment Shows Sustained Improvements
In September the Southern Africa Trade Hub conducted an assessment of the efficiency of border operations at the Nakonde border post between Zambia and Tanzania, which showed a further reduction in the 2012 border crossing times. Read more»
In partnership with processing company AfriNut, USAID's Southern Africa Trade Hub conducted two training sessions in Lilongwe to demonstrate to participants from the groundnut processing sector in Malawi important low-cost technology measures for eliminating aflatoxin. Read more»
Download the October issue of Hub Happenings» |
Invitation for applications:
Syngenta's Grain Academy 2014
Syngenta, in partnership with the University of the Free State's Business School, developed a tailored programme and successfully implemented it in 2013 for young commercial growers to equip them to address the challenges of tomorrow. Syngenta will sponsor 20 growers to attend the 2014 programme.
The Syngenta Grain Academy will address the following topics amongst others:
* The changing and interactive future of agriculture
* The art of leading
* Giving direction including systems thinking
* Value diversity
* Leading and facilitating change and transformation
More information»
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Apply now for the Agribusiness Centenary Bursary
 Agbiz is making an annual bursary of R25 000 available to a South African student registered for a Masters or PhD degree in either agricultural economics or agribusiness management, at any recognised South African university. Closing date for applications: 10 December 2013. More information»
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