Communities reap infrastructure development from profits of own enterprise
Government extended an economic empowerment lifeline by drawing three communities near Keimoes in the Northern Cape into the lucrative table and wine grapes industr y. Now, residents of Bloemsmond, Currieskamp and Soverby have their dignity restored with access to new ablution facilities at their cemeteries derived from the profits of their own enterprise. Thabo Mothibi took to the Blocuso Primary Agricultural Cooperative's grapevines to assess government's investment of fifty five million rand into it...
I would rather dub them the “grapevines of many truths” in an attempt to disregard the idiom - heard it through the grapevine - owing to this writer having picked on a variety of good news from the cultivation of a variant of grapes. Now in its seventh year, the Blocuso Primary Agricultural Cooperative has unleashed an early but successful foray into the horticultural industry. Their second harvest has already brought with it the construction of communal ablution facilities to the tune of a hundred and fifty thousand rand in social good.
The cooperative serves as the trading arm of the Blocuso Trust that is in turn constituted by 466 families from Keimoes's communities of Bloems- mond, Currieskamp and Soverby. Hence the name Blocuso. The households are not only set to benefit from the paying out of annual dividends but are giving serious attention to much needed community amenities. “Our first effort has been the construction of ablution facilities at the cemeteries of each of the three communities. Our next target is a community hall for Bloesmond and to consult widely on the nature of community empowerment projects that we could fund in our endeavour of eradicating poverty. All of this we shall continue to pursue in rewarding government for it's investment ,” enthused the treasurer of the trust Mr Ivan Brink.
On the business front, the cooperative's farm manager Adriaan Van Rooyen says a string of permanent jobs have been created in the grapevines, facility management, administration and hundreds of non-permanent employees that they keep sourcing for various phases of seasonal work. “With many years of experience and expertise acquired from a variety of employers, we have expertly navigated the storms. In management, we are a team of six directors, five male and one female. Our permanent personnel are made up of fourteen farm workers, nine male, five female.”
Whilst the grapevines may shed their leaves each season, government's steadfastness in getting disenfranchised farming communities to literally draw sustenance from the majestic Orange River has proven to be an everlasting service delivery masterstroke. The gigantic Orange River Cellars also heralds the initiative as watershed for the industry and watertight for business.
Henning Burger is the head horti-culturalist; “Blocuso is one of, if not the most successful of our new grape grower shareholders. Our collaboration is enhanced by the day to day technical support that we give at the grapevines.”
Does an opportunity exist for new entrants like Blocuso to establish own brands from their cultivars such as Rabat wine and juice, would it also be business savvy for them to explore the produc- tion of cultivars such as Colombard? “As shareholders they derive benefits from being part of the group and aligning with a specialized portfolio in the production of discerning brands such as chenin blanc wine and villard blanc wine and juice,” explained Burger.
Delightfully, Blocuso's seedless Mer- beins are already notching up a mouthful. The cooperative is also reaping added benefits from that part of the southern hemisphere's baking hot farmlands by transacting with snack giant, Safari Dried Fruit (S.A.D) currently owned by Pioneer Foods. “We haveawarded Blocuso a grant worth a hundred and three thousand rand (R103, 000) which they have utilized towards the purchase of dry-nets and drying trays. The acknowledgement emanates from the quality of their golden and thompson raisins which are market leaders, being top class and produced in good volumes,” enthused the Upington based S.A.D technical manager Leon Laubscher.
Back at the office to the tweeting sounds of two-way radios and plentiful technology, one is enveloped by a sense of utmost pride. On the other hand I am pricking my mind on whether this enterprise is not the Northern Cape government's irrigable agriculture's most sound return in investment? Van Rooyen points out indubitably to me that agriculture is about learning and earning for a lifetime; “We strive to adhere to the highest production standards and never to compromise on quality. Once the principles and basics are right, then you are set on a path of immeasurable growth.”
At the offices of the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, head of department Viljoen Mothibi, extolled Blocuso for their achievements. “We sing their praises in that they have handsomely rewarded our efforts in transforming the horticultural industry of this province. Blocuso bears further proof that we should focus more on cooperatives in dealing with the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality in rural areas.”
“Their enterprise is part of our wine development initiative wherein we partner with industry players that share our vision and draw the most passionate and committed of our rural masses in the management of these ventures whilst economically empowering them as beneficiary communities. We have invested over fifty five million rand at Blocuso from the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Program (CASP) which is the department's yardstick in the provision of infrastructure support in the funding of bulk water supply, earthworks, construction of trellis systems among others. Our sister departments assist with the allocation of water rights and land acquisition.”
