Page 16 - 20 Cotton SA December 2019

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competing on a global level. The economic
upliftment of small-scale farmers utilising
sustainable farming methods is also vital to us,”
said Mark Blair (CEO of MRPG).

RECOGNITION CERTIFICATES
FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRI-
BUTIONS
• Samuel Riba, Marble Hall area – Black
Smallholder Farmer (semi-commercial).
• Janneman Bronkhorst, Bumi Boerdery,
Limpopo – Newcomer Commercial
Cotton Production: Irrigation.
• Janco Coetzee, Goedgedag Boerdery,
Limpopo – Newcomer Commercial partners for their contributions in specific areas.
Cotton Production: Dryland. MRPG was recognised for taking the bold step as
• There were four recipients for the the first retailer that joined the Cluster.
category Commercial Cotton Produc- The Edcon group was recognised for their
tion: Irrigation – Jacques Willemse and commitment towards running a 100% South
Rian van den Heever (Limpopo), Johan African integrated supply chain programme
Maree and Kevin Reid (Northern Cape). (ISCP), while Woolworths was commended for
• Hannes Hertzog, Hertzog Farmers, being the only South African retailer that is a
Limpopo – Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). member of the BCI.
• The category Transformation and Joseph Kempen (Loskop Cotton) and Leonard
Development had three recipients – Frans Venter (Limpopo farmer and chairperson of
Malela, Jannie Terblanche, and MRPG Cotton SA) were recognised as Cotton Cluster
together with Khula Credit Guarantee. advocates for their personal contribution and
• Two Cotton Industry Enablers were determination to promote and grow the cotton
selected – Wilber Rudman and Richard value chain and their support to industry-related
Godfree-Thom, Northern Cape. organisations. Venter recognised the demise of
• Louis Olivier, Vaalharts Cotton Gin, the cotton industry in 2013 and 2014 and was
Northern Cape – Ginner 2019. the key initiator of a bold plan to turn the industry
• Enrique Crouse, Prilla 2000 – South around, bringing various role players together,
African spinner consuming the most which led to the establishment of the Sustainable
South African cotton. Cotton Cluster programme (known as the
• Anubhava Kumar Katiyar, Compagnie SACC).
Mauricienne de Textile Ltee (CMT), In their report the adjudicators said, “Venter is
Mauritius – SADC spinner consuming known for his strength of character and not giving
the most South African cotton. up. He has a strong value system, believes in
farmers, and gives his continuous support towards
a greater farming community by his involvement
of over 40 years in the industry. He walks the
ROLE PLAYERS IN THE COTTON footsteps of a true farmer and has appreciation
CLUSTER ALSO HONOURED for the difficulties that farmers experience. He
During the event, the SACC also recognised the carries a large community responsibility and is
contribution of the cluster value chain contributors. recognised for his leadership, time, effort and
Enrique Crouse, chairperson of SACC, had the commitment by serving many years on various
privilege to hand over the certificates to five agricultural bodies, and for his continuous support
worthy recipients. These included the three retail to the Cluster initiative.”

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