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THE
GRAIN AND OILSEED INDUSTRY
OF SOUTH AFRICA – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
ႈ
The newly established organisation was totally dependent on membership fees
and voluntary contributions from its members for funding. Initially the Executive
Members of SAMPI contributed the biggest portion of this. They also received no
compensation for their services, expenses and time. In spite of problems that were
sometimes experienced with the collection of membership fees, the contributions
and sacrifices of its members enabled SAMPI to carry out its tasks.
One of the main reasons for SAMPI’s establishment was the objections by the
maize producers that the Maize Board did not have their interests at heart or tried
to promote them. SAMPI constantly identified events supporting these objections.
An example occurred in December 1968 when SAMPI wanted to avail itself of an
opportunity to establish an export market for maize in Taiwan. The prospective
buyers were very impressed with the quality of South African maize and requested
SAMPI to quote for exporting 40 000 tons of maize to Taiwan. As the Maize Board
controlled all maize transactions, SAMPI was forced to purchase the maize from
the Maize Board. The board offered it to SAMPI at a price that was considerably
higher than the prevailing tender price at that time, and also higher than the price at
which the Maize Board offered export maize to tenderers only two days later. This
price loading forced SAMPI to withdraw from the transaction.
On another occasion, in 1969, the Maize Board announced differentiated producer
prices for different areas, despite the fact that even the National Maize Committee,
in other words the SAAU, supported SAMPI’s objection to this.
Mass meeting 1969
On 19 April 1969 a mass meeting of maize producers was held at the Markötter
Stadium in Klerksdorp under the auspices of SAMPI. It was attended by more than
5 000 producers. It was described as the biggest congregation of maize producers,
and the membership policy of the SAAU and its affiliates, which excluded SAMPI
members, was discussed. A decision was made to authorise SAMPI’s Executive to
appoint a delegation to discuss the maize price policy, differentiated maize prices
and the composition of the Maize Board with the Minister of Agriculture.
At the mass meeting a motion of confidence in SAMPI’s task and its management
was passed unanimously.
SAMPI
Chairperson
Vice-chairperson
Mr Hennie Delport (1966 - 1969)
Mr Fanie Ferreira (1966 - 1969)
Mr Fanie Ferreira (1969 - 1980)
Mr Hennie de Jager (1969 - 1980)
NAMPO
Chairperson
Vice-chairperson
Mr Fanie Ferreira (1980 - 1982)
Mr Hennie de Jager (1980 - 1982)
Mr Hennie de Jager (1982 - 1986)
Mr Boetie Viljoen (1982 - 1986)
Mr Boetie Viljoen (1986 - 1988)
Mr Hennie de Jager (1986 - 1988)
Mr Kobus Jooste (1988 - 1990)
Mr Jan Schabort (1988 - 1993)
Mr Cerneels Claassen (1990 - 1995)
Mr Japie Grobler (1993 - 1995)
Mr Japie Grobler (1995 - 1999)
Mr Vic Mouton (1995 - 1996)
Mr Bully Botma (1996 - 1999)
MAIZE LEADERSHIP FROM 1966 - 1999
Video: Mr Crawford von Abo talks about the
events that lead to the establishment of SAMPI.
Mr Hennie Delport, the fist Chairperson of
SAMPI.
