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Insurer donates R2 million to assist
drought-stricken producers
S
outh Africans from all walks of life have stepped forward
in recent months to assist producers impacted by the
prolonged drought affecting large parts of our country,
with initiatives ranging from water collection to the supply
of feed to hard-hit areas.
In a bid to boost the embattled agricultural sector, leading short-
term insurer Santam has donated R2 million to help alleviate
the financial hardship faced by both commercial producers and
emerging farmers.
In an announcement at Agri SA’s 2016 Commodities Congress,
Santam head of Agriculture, Mr Gerhard Diedericks, said the dona-
tion would be made to the National Drought Disaster Relief Fund
managed by Agri SA.
The contribution will benefit not only members of South Africa’s
four agri industry bodies, but will include emerging farmers not
belonging to any organisation. Those that are most in need of
assistance will be prioritised.
‘The persistent drought continues to have a knock-on effect on the
local economy and threatens the long-term food security of our
country. Producers and communities dependent on the agricultural
sector for their livelihoods are bearing the brunt of this crisis. For
Santam, lending support to both individual producers and farming
groups is simply the right thing to do,’ Diedericks said.
He added that they would continue to assist the farming com-
munity in managing the risks endangering the sustainability of
agricultural resources. ‘As the oldest insurer in the sector, with over
85 years of extensive experience in dealing with the highs and lows
of agriculture, we understand the role producers play in ensuring
the stability of food security.
‘Santam will continue to work with industry partners, brokers
and organisations within the agricultural sector to meet the
challenges that lie ahead. Collectively we need to do much more
to assist our struggling farming communities, and we urge our
counterparts to show their support and contribute to this critical
cause,’ Diedericks concluded.
About Santam
Santam is South Africa’s leading short-term insurance group with
a market share in excess of 22%, over 4 000 staff members and
4 500 broker partners nationwide, and MiWay as a direct insurer.
The company insures most of the Top 100 companies listed on
the JSE.
Santam’s competitive advantage is entrenched over 96 years of
offerings its clients a wide range of short-term insurance products
that have been scientifically modelled to suit their needs as well
as having the highest claims efficiency in the industry. The company
is recognised by its peers as having the most technically compe-
tent staff.
Santam has made a R2 million donation to the National Drought
Disaster Relief Fund to assist producers and farm communities in
need. Gerhard Diedericks presented the cheque to Minister Bheki
Cele (deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), Phenias
Gumede (deputy president: Agri SA) and Johannes Möller (president:
Agri SA).
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May 2016
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