GrainAcademy confers leadership
certificates to classof 2014
O
n the 20th of June this year, leading agri-business com-
pany, Syngenta’s, Grain Academy awarded certificates
to the class of 2014 who completed a four month long
leadership programme. The programme sought to
equip 20 commercial growers identified from all over the country,
with the skills and leadership competencies required to tackle the
rising challenges of food security and agricultural productivity in
SouthAfrica.
Developed in partnership with the University of the Free State’s
Business School, the programme commenced in February this
year and entails a three-modular interactive sessionover aperiodof
fourmonths.
It is facilitated by Thinking Fusion, a strategic leadership develop-
ment organisation. The academy is Syngenta SA’s flagship leader-
ship development initiative and is fully sponsored by this leading
agribusiness.
Theclassof 2014 is the second tograduate since theGrainAcademy
was started last year.
The ceremony was graced by Prof Neil Heideman (dean: Faculty
of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State
[UFS]), Mr Jannie de Villiers (CEO, Grain SA), Dr John Purchase
(CEOof AgBiz) and the chairmanof GrainSA,Mr LouwSteytler.
Mr Antonie Delport (managing director, Syngenta SA) said, “By
successfullycompleting this rigorousprogramme, thestudentshave
demonstrated theirwork ethic and commitment to the sector.”
He encouraged the students to use the skills they’ve learnt at the
GrainAcademy in the serviceof agriculture.
“After this leadership development journey, we trust you will also
serve as ambassadors and attract high quality talent to meet the
futureworkforceneeds of agriculture,”Delport added.
USMANALY,
for Syngenta
Feedbackon theGrainAcademy
This year I’ve been given the opportunity to attend Syngenta and Grain SA‘s second
GrainAcademy; and I tried to imaginehow itwill be,whatwewill be learningandwhat
the experiencewill entail. But even thoughmy expectationswere really high, nobody
couldprepareme forwhat I’ve experienced.
A person just can not stay the same and be content with the same things after you’ve
completed this programme.Wedidnot only learn about valuable concepts, principles
and ideals of leadership; we were also encouraged to have constructive discussions
that had a lasting effect on all of us.
Aprocess of improvement was started todeterminewhere eachof us canmake a dif-
ference in our own immediate environment. I want to become aware of the problems
and challenges and help to find possible solutions. We soon realised that there are
many challenges andproblems and thatwe’ll never be able to address all of them, but
I’ve learnt todiscuss these issues ina constructive,meaningfulmanner and toactively
begin looking for solutions. It not only providedme with a new thought pattern, but
eachof uswho started this journey together.
One of the concepts we’ve learnt is that people will follow and support someone,
not because of what they are doing or not doing, but because of who they are. The
GrainAcademy experience is one that will staywithme forever. Thank you verymuch
to Syngenta, Grain SA, the UFS Business School and Thinking Fusion for helping to
shape a future for young leaders andbeingwilling to invest their resources inus.
– Landi Kruger, GrainSA
Syngenta Grain Academy was indeed a very enriching learning experience. Not only
didwe learn about the various attributes of effective leadership, but also how to look
at thecomplexproblemsofSouthAfrica.Wehad toworkhardon thecourse, but along
with that, strong friendshipswere also formed. It is an exceptional coursewith excel-
lent facilitators. It was without a doubt a huge privilege to take part in the Syngenta
GrainAcademy.
–Sakkie vanZyl, aproducer fromMakwassie
Why shoulda young
producer attend?
Syngenta believes that the future of agriculture
must be moulded and not left in the hands of
circumstance. From this background, Syngenta,
in collaborationwith the Business School of the
University of the Free State, developed a tailor-
made programme which was already imple-
mented successfully in 2013 and 2014, aimed at
youngcommercial producerswhowant tobe the
architects of tomorrow’s agricultural arena.
TheSyngentaGrainAcademy addresses the fol-
lowing topics:
The changing and interactive future of agri-
culture.
The art of being able to takepeoplewith you
on a roadof new challenges.
How tousediversity toyour own advantage.
How tomake sense out of the abundance of
information.
How to take the lead and facilitate change in
an eraof transformation.
During the programme, participants are also ex-
posed to newways of thinking by taking part in
dynamic projects that directly relate to the cur-
rent challenges in the agricultural industry.
As a young and dynamic leader producer, the
Grain Academy will benefit you on a personal
and professional level and thereby also add val-
ue to thewider agricultural community.
–DuPreezKritzinger, Syngenta
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