News
NAU News: WEEKLY NEWS – 12 February 2010
Published: Feb 15, 2010 - 03:51 PM
In today’s newsletter –
- Historic year for Namibia
- Minimum wage investigation on farms
- Agronomic Producers Association (APA) held first meeting
- Launch of North Western (NW) Elephant ReportDairy Producers Association (DPA) met
- FA and other days
Historic year for Namibia
2010 is in various ways a historic year for Southern Africa and specifically also for Namibia. Namibia this week entertained its writers of the Constitution in Windhoek. The honorary president of the NAU, Mr Jan de Wet was 20 years ago one of the persons who made a contribution towards the current Constitution of Namibia which is acknowledged globally. Namibia also celebrates this year the twentieth anniversary of its Independence.
The NAU as representative of commercial agriculture, would like to congratulate government and specifically the Founding President, Mr Sam Nujoma and President Pohamba with the manner on which they handled peace and stability in the country.
11 February 2010 was the date 20 years ago when Mr Nelson Mandela walked as a free man from the Victor Verster Prison. His contribution toward democracy and nation building in South Africa is widely known and was also acknowledged in the State of the Nation speech of the current South African president, Mr Jacob Zuma during the opening of the South African Parliament. A movie, Invictus, portrays Mr Mandela’s reconciliation contribution during the Rugby World Cup of 1995.
Minimum wage investigation on farms
Members should please take note that the Namibia Farm Workers’ Union (NaFWU) is currently busy with an investigation about the enforcement of minimum wage guidelines on farms. Farms in the Otjiwarongo and Dordabis regions were already visited whilst the Khomas region will be visited during the week of February 15, 2010. The notification of farm visits by NaFWU was widely covered by the media in the past week.
Members are notified that according to Art 65 (1) (a) (ii) of the Labour Act No 11 of 2007, the labour union has the right to conduct any functions in terms of a collective agreement. The labour union also has the right to recruit members and to hold meetings with members. The Labour Act demands that the employer may not unreasonably refuse the labour union to come onto his premises. However, Art 65 (3) of the Labour Act determines that the employer may urge labour union officials to identify themselves and that any rights of the labour union may not clash with the effective operation of the employer’s activities.
We request our members to cooperate in this regard. Should there be any problems, please contact Giel Schoombee at 061 237838 or lwv-aea@agrinamibia.com.na NaFWU undertook to keep the NAU informed about the movements of their officials. The NAU, however, does not take any responsibility for problems which might arise in this regard with non-members of the NAU.
Agronomic Producers Association (APA) held first meeting
The Agronomic Producers Association held their first meeting this year on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Due to circumstances the judging of the Master Agronomist for dry land will be held at a later stage. The visit to the four candidates is scheduled for February 22 – 24, 2010 and we wish the participants good luck!
The final maize price for producers will only be finalised after the Millers Association met on February 17 in order to reach consensus. Thus for this reason a price cannot be announced yet for agronomic producers. If no agreement can be reached amongst the millers and producers, the 2009 price with an inflation adaption will be accepted.
Mr Pierre du Plessis of CRIAA-SADC addressed the meeting about possible future diversification with maroela fruit and plans to do a survey amongst commercial producers during the second half of the year. Furthermore Mrs Marina Coetzee gave information about the progress with biochar on improved land structures. She also informed the meeting that she left the Ministry of Agriculture and that she is working at the Polytechnic since end of January 2010.
The Agronomic Board again requests producers to give their harvest estimations as soon as possible before middle February to their office and how many hectares were planted and the estimated harvest recordings (Antoinette Venter: 061 379500).
Launch of North Western (NW) Elephant Report
Following a visit by to the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah on February 3, 2010 by the Joint Presidency Committee, it was decided to launch the Rowan Martin report. The report which was finalised in November 2009 contains various management options for the NW elephant population. The date for the launch is Friday, March 5, 2010 and further details will be announced in due course.
Dairy Producers Association (DPA) met
The management of the DPA held their first meeting this year on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Mr Hubertus Hamm of Namibia Dairies and Mr Jaco Labuschagne of Feedmaster were guests at the meeting. The DPA was delighted to learn that various improvements, such as the partial replacement of their fleet, replacement of machinery, improvement of the packaging machinery which will at the same time make provision for a screw top on the box of longlife milk, will be done by Namibia Dairies. Furthermore the storing space of Namibia Dairies will be enlarged.
Good news for producers is that after the initial planning of a possible fodder price increase at the end of January 2010, there might be an announcement of a price decrease at the end of February.
The abolishment of VAT on fresh milk was discussed. Even though it has not yet been formally published in the Government Gazette, all indications are there that it might realise in the near future. This abolishment will only be on fresh milk.
The Dairy Provider for the Year will this year be held in Gobabis and producers are encouraged to give relevant subjects to the office for needs for this joint information day.
Olive Day
The University of Namibia hosts a one day conference on olives on March 8 at the Arebbush Lodge and Convention Centre. All aspects around olives as well as the establishment of an Olive Industry Association for Namibia will be discussed. Guest speakers are the Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Mutorwa, Mr Christof Brock of the Agronomic Board and the Weltevrede Nursery of Wellington are the facilitators. Costs are N$350 per person which includes lunch and refreshments. For further information or to register contact Dr L Oellermann, Tel 064 502610, loellermann@unam.na or Mrs E Hill, Tel 064 502600, ehill@unam.na or Mr Flip van Vuuren, Tel 064 502616, fvanvuuren@unam.na
FA and other days
Westelike Khomas FA is holding a meeting on March 17 at 15:00 at the Harmonie hall. For further information contact Mrs A Greeff, Tel 064 551565, luanda@iway.na
Aroab FA will host a motivation day on February 26 at 09:30 at the agricultural hall. Keynote speaker is Mr Ryno van der Merwe, president of the NAU and other speakers are Mr Leon van Wyk and a representative from Welwitschia Makelaars. Farmer patents are exhibited and neighbouring FA’s are invited to bring their patens. Products from the children of the Private School Excelsior are for sale and the day is concluded with a potjiekos. Registration is N$20 per person and further details can be obtained from Willem Steenkamp, Tel 063 280655 of Brenda Kotze, Tel 063 280655, kalahari@iway.na
Osire-Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on March 2 at 14:00 at the Osire FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr S Eimbeck who will talk about personal safety. For further details contact Mrs Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, wilckens@iway.na
Wilhelmstal-Okasise FA is holding a meting on February 20 at 16:00 at the Wilhelmstal FA hall. Guest speaker is Dr L van der Waal, the state veterinarian of Omaruru. For further details contact Mr Thomas Peltzer, Tel 062 50399, ombu@way.na
Karibib FA will hold a meeting on March 6 at 17:00 at Kaltehausen. For further details contact Mr Swart, Tel 061 241191.
Witvlei FA is holding a meeting on February 17 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Bernd Meyer who will talk about CLAAS tractors and farm implements. For further details contact Mrs M Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na
Keetmanshoop Regional Agricultural Union is holding a meeting on February 18 at 08:00 at Bird’s Mansion. Further details from Berdine de Klerk, Tel 063 266006, arbeid@mtcmobile.com.na
2010 is in various ways a historic year for Southern Africa and specifically also for Namibia. Namibia this week entertained its writers of the Constitution in Windhoek. The honorary president of the NAU, Mr Jan de Wet was 20 years ago one of the persons who made a contribution towards the current Constitution of Namibia which is acknowledged globally. Namibia also celebrates this year the twentieth anniversary of its Independence.
The NAU as representative of commercial agriculture, would like to congratulate government and specifically the Founding President, Mr Sam Nujoma and President Pohamba with the manner on which they handled peace and stability in the country.
11 February 2010 was the date 20 years ago when Mr Nelson Mandela walked as a free man from the Victor Verster Prison. His contribution toward democracy and nation building in South Africa is widely known and was also acknowledged in the State of the Nation speech of the current South African president, Mr Jacob Zuma during the opening of the South African Parliament. A movie, Invictus, portrays Mr Mandela’s reconciliation contribution during the Rugby World Cup of 1995.
Minimum wage investigation on farms
Members should please take note that the Namibia Farm Workers’ Union (NaFWU) is currently busy with an investigation about the enforcement of minimum wage guidelines on farms. Farms in the Otjiwarongo and Dordabis regions were already visited whilst the Khomas region will be visited during the week of February 15, 2010. The notification of farm visits by NaFWU was widely covered by the media in the past week.
Members are notified that according to Art 65 (1) (a) (ii) of the Labour Act No 11 of 2007, the labour union has the right to conduct any functions in terms of a collective agreement. The labour union also has the right to recruit members and to hold meetings with members. The Labour Act demands that the employer may not unreasonably refuse the labour union to come onto his premises. However, Art 65 (3) of the Labour Act determines that the employer may urge labour union officials to identify themselves and that any rights of the labour union may not clash with the effective operation of the employer’s activities.
We request our members to cooperate in this regard. Should there be any problems, please contact Giel Schoombee at 061 237838 or lwv-aea@agrinamibia.com.na NaFWU undertook to keep the NAU informed about the movements of their officials. The NAU, however, does not take any responsibility for problems which might arise in this regard with non-members of the NAU.
Agronomic Producers Association (APA) held first meeting
The Agronomic Producers Association held their first meeting this year on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Due to circumstances the judging of the Master Agronomist for dry land will be held at a later stage. The visit to the four candidates is scheduled for February 22 – 24, 2010 and we wish the participants good luck!
The final maize price for producers will only be finalised after the Millers Association met on February 17 in order to reach consensus. Thus for this reason a price cannot be announced yet for agronomic producers. If no agreement can be reached amongst the millers and producers, the 2009 price with an inflation adaption will be accepted.
Mr Pierre du Plessis of CRIAA-SADC addressed the meeting about possible future diversification with maroela fruit and plans to do a survey amongst commercial producers during the second half of the year. Furthermore Mrs Marina Coetzee gave information about the progress with biochar on improved land structures. She also informed the meeting that she left the Ministry of Agriculture and that she is working at the Polytechnic since end of January 2010.
The Agronomic Board again requests producers to give their harvest estimations as soon as possible before middle February to their office and how many hectares were planted and the estimated harvest recordings (Antoinette Venter: 061 379500).
Launch of North Western (NW) Elephant Report
Following a visit by to the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah on February 3, 2010 by the Joint Presidency Committee, it was decided to launch the Rowan Martin report. The report which was finalised in November 2009 contains various management options for the NW elephant population. The date for the launch is Friday, March 5, 2010 and further details will be announced in due course.
Dairy Producers Association (DPA) met
The management of the DPA held their first meeting this year on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Mr Hubertus Hamm of Namibia Dairies and Mr Jaco Labuschagne of Feedmaster were guests at the meeting. The DPA was delighted to learn that various improvements, such as the partial replacement of their fleet, replacement of machinery, improvement of the packaging machinery which will at the same time make provision for a screw top on the box of longlife milk, will be done by Namibia Dairies. Furthermore the storing space of Namibia Dairies will be enlarged.
Good news for producers is that after the initial planning of a possible fodder price increase at the end of January 2010, there might be an announcement of a price decrease at the end of February.
The abolishment of VAT on fresh milk was discussed. Even though it has not yet been formally published in the Government Gazette, all indications are there that it might realise in the near future. This abolishment will only be on fresh milk.
The Dairy Provider for the Year will this year be held in Gobabis and producers are encouraged to give relevant subjects to the office for needs for this joint information day.
Olive Day
The University of Namibia hosts a one day conference on olives on March 8 at the Arebbush Lodge and Convention Centre. All aspects around olives as well as the establishment of an Olive Industry Association for Namibia will be discussed. Guest speakers are the Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Mutorwa, Mr Christof Brock of the Agronomic Board and the Weltevrede Nursery of Wellington are the facilitators. Costs are N$350 per person which includes lunch and refreshments. For further information or to register contact Dr L Oellermann, Tel 064 502610, loellermann@unam.na or Mrs E Hill, Tel 064 502600, ehill@unam.na or Mr Flip van Vuuren, Tel 064 502616, fvanvuuren@unam.na
FA and other days
Westelike Khomas FA is holding a meeting on March 17 at 15:00 at the Harmonie hall. For further information contact Mrs A Greeff, Tel 064 551565, luanda@iway.na
Aroab FA will host a motivation day on February 26 at 09:30 at the agricultural hall. Keynote speaker is Mr Ryno van der Merwe, president of the NAU and other speakers are Mr Leon van Wyk and a representative from Welwitschia Makelaars. Farmer patents are exhibited and neighbouring FA’s are invited to bring their patens. Products from the children of the Private School Excelsior are for sale and the day is concluded with a potjiekos. Registration is N$20 per person and further details can be obtained from Willem Steenkamp, Tel 063 280655 of Brenda Kotze, Tel 063 280655, kalahari@iway.na
Osire-Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on March 2 at 14:00 at the Osire FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr S Eimbeck who will talk about personal safety. For further details contact Mrs Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, wilckens@iway.na
Wilhelmstal-Okasise FA is holding a meting on February 20 at 16:00 at the Wilhelmstal FA hall. Guest speaker is Dr L van der Waal, the state veterinarian of Omaruru. For further details contact Mr Thomas Peltzer, Tel 062 50399, ombu@way.na
Karibib FA will hold a meeting on March 6 at 17:00 at Kaltehausen. For further details contact Mr Swart, Tel 061 241191.
Witvlei FA is holding a meeting on February 17 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Bernd Meyer who will talk about CLAAS tractors and farm implements. For further details contact Mrs M Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na
Keetmanshoop Regional Agricultural Union is holding a meeting on February 18 at 08:00 at Bird’s Mansion. Further details from Berdine de Klerk, Tel 063 266006, arbeid@mtcmobile.com.na
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