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V
THE
GRAIN AND OILSEED INDUSTRY
OF SOUTH AFRICA – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
was no longer a case of the one shouting the loudest or being the most dominant
at the negotiating table emerging the winner. New styles and expertise had to be
established. It was not an easy time for the leadership of the organisations. It was
truly a privilege to be allowed to grow up in the boardrooms in those times, and
gain exposure to such an enormous transformation in an economic sector.
Grain SA went through its own quota of adjustments and ultimately made the
decision to amalgamate all the grain and oilseeds organisations. The finer details
of this story can be found in the latter part of this book. Although even those who
were intensely involved in the amalgamation hoped that it would not be required
again, a new phase in Grain SA’s history started once more in 2011 with the lead-
ership’s decision to renew the organisation by moving to Pretoria. History has
shown us that it will very probably not be the last time either. Ongoing change and
renewal are a sign of growth and vigour. The agricultural sector knows the cycles
of the season and knows that pruning is followed by new fruit. We are not afraid of
change, but it remains difficult and never occurs without pain.
As the biggest producer organisation in South Africa, Grain SA has to take the
lead in many fields in organised agriculture – not only in the field of grain. This
makes the relevance of our members top priority. Food security is and remains
one of the major focus areas of any government and this ensures that
Grain SA will always remain politically relevant. Our ability and willing-
ness to adjust and provide top quality leadership determine the food
security in our country and ultimately our political stability. Stagna-
tion leads to death, and that is why we honour the leaders of the
previous and current generation who had the courage to make ad-
justments to ensure that the grain and oilseed producers of today
are still sustainable on their farms, and to keep them there to the
benefit of everybody in South Africa.
JANNIE DE VILLIERS
CEO of Grain SA since 2011