20 / 37
THE
GRAIN AND OILSEED INDUSTRY
OF SOUTH AFRICA – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
ႄႂ
traders as agents. The ultimate right to and responsi-
bility for the distribution of maize always rested with
the Maize Board, however.
From July 1977 all maize, sorghum and buckwheat
transported from the interior to ports were transported
in bulk consignments by rail. By approximately 1985
maize was the third most important commodity after
coal and iron ore that was handled by the railways, and
roughly 85% of the maize crop was transported by rail.
However, by 2014 this had dropped to only about 15%
due to a large-scale increase in road transport.
• The Maize Board played a pivotal role in ensuring
that financing was available so that producers could
be paid immediately on delivery of their grain and
the Board’s agents could be remunerated for their
services.Intimeswherelossesonexportsaccrued,the
Maize Board obtained loans against state guarantees
from the Land Bank or the Reserve Bank to finance
the losses.
• The Maize Board also played an important role in
identifying research needs in the maize and buck-
wheat industries and in supporting research projects,
although the Maize Board itself was not a research
institution. All new maize cultivars were tested first
before they were released, particularly with respect
to hardness and milling quality.
• The Maize Board served as a link in the communica-
tion between different role-players in the industry, as
well as in negotiations with other economic sectors
and the government.
• As the only exporter of maize and buckwheat, the
Maize Board played a vital role in developing export
markets. This was handled by the Export Committee
of the Board, which determined how much maize was
available for export, compiled an export programme
according to which it was managed, managed the
logistics and financing for this, and handled hedging
on the Chicago Board of Trade when global markets
were favourable.
• From approximately 1974 the Maize Board assisted the
former independent states (Transkei, Bophuthatswana,
Ciskei and Venda, as well as the self-governing area
of Lebowa) with the development of their agricultural
marketing systems.
• In 1963 the Maize Board established a publicity
committee to manage the promotion of the market and
the Board’s public relations programme. Right from
the start this committee made a definite contribution
to the systematic advertising and marketing actions
for the maize industry.
The Maize Board launched various advertising
campaigns with a view to promoting the maize
industry. The Wally Hayward Marathon in Pretoria
aswellassoccergamesweresponsored,forexample,
and from 1972 to 1983 the Board sponsored the
Dalrymple Cup athletics competition. The Board
had a box at the FNB stadium, where selected
guests were entertained.
The Maize Board also launched a Putu Competition
for black housewives for which they could enter if
they bought a sack of meal. At the end of each month
a draw was held and prizes were awarded.