Corporate Services division/Afdeling Korporatiewe Dienste

Congress, Executive and Management Committee

In terms of the Constitution of Grain SA, Congress is the highest authority for policy decisions, and when Congress is not in session, the Executive is the highest authority. The Management Committee handles the current activities of the organisation.

During Congress, policy is determined for Grain SA, and is then implemented via the Executive and Working Groups of the Executive.

Annual Congress

The Annual Congress took place at NAMPO Park on 5 and 6 March 2014. The Congress is constituted in terms of the Grain SA Constitution, with a total of 372 representatives representing 31 grain producer districts.

Format and theme of Congress
The Congress theme focused on “The New Generation”. The Congress format made provision for two panel discussions, with the following themes:

• The new generation technology, introduced by Mr Rob Dunlop from Monsanto.
• The new generation consumers, farm workers and officers, introduced by Dr René Uys from Thinking Fusion.

The process of discourse during the panel sessions was facilitated by Mr Max du Preez (journalist and writer).

The panel discussions created a studio atmosphere, which allowed discussions to flow, and ensured a high volume of interaction between delegates and experts on the panel. The Twitter network was also used to support discussion and facilitate questions from the audience.

Recognition during Congress
During Congress recognition was given to:

• Mr Awie Coetzee, administrator of the Winter Cereal Trust: Recognition for his involvement in and contribution to the winter cereal industry since 1971;
• the top export countries of South African grain, namely Japan and the Republic of China; and
• Mr Ian Househam: As Coordinator: Farmer Development from whose region the Developing Farmer of the Year had been selected.

The wide support of the news media, attendance by large numbers of guests and senior government representatives indicate that the Grain SA Congress is viewed as a highlight on the agricultural calendar.

Kongres, Hoofbestuur en Dagbestuur

In terme van die Grondwet van Graan SA is Kongres die hoogste gesag vir beleidsbesluite en wanneer Kongres nie in sitting is nie, die Hoofbestuur. Die Dagbestuur hanteer die lopende aksies van die organisasie.

Tydens Kongres word beleid vir Graan SA bepaal, wat daarna via die Hoofbestuur en die Werkgroepe van die Hoofbestuur uitgevoer word.

Jaarkongres

Die Jaarkongres het op 5 en 6 Maart 2014 te NAMPO Park plaasgevind. Die Kongres word in terme van die Graan SA Grondwet gekonstitueer, met ‘n totaal van 372 afgevaardigdes verteenwoordigend van 31 graanprodusentstreke.

Formaat en tema van Kongres
Die Kongrestema het gefokus op “Die nuwe generasie”. Die Kongresformaat het voorsiening gemaak vir twee paneelbesprekings, met die volgende temas:

• Die nuwegenerasie-tegnologie, ingelei deur mnr Rob Dunlop van Monsanto.
• Die nuwegenerasie-verbruikers, plaaswerkers en beamptes, ingelei deur dr René Uys van Thinking Fusion.

Die proses van diskoers tydens die paneelsessies is gefasiliteer deur mnr Max du Preez (joernalis en skrywer).

Die paneelbesprekings het 'n ateljee-atmosfeer geskep waardeur besprekings gevloei het, met 'n hoëvolume interaksie tussen die afgevaardigdes en die kundiges op die paneel. Daar is ook gebruik gemaak van die Twitter-netwerk om gesprekvoering te ondersteun en vrae uit die gehoor te fasiliteer.

Erkenning tydens Kongres
Erkenning is tydens Kongres gegee aan:

• Mnr Awie Coetzee, Administrateur van die Wintergraantrust: Erkenning vir sy betrokkenheid en bydrae tot die wintergraanbedryf sedert 1971;
• die top-uitvoerlande van Suid-Afrikaanse graan, naamlik Japan en die Republiek van China; en
• mnr Ian Househam: As Koördineerder: Ontwikkelende Landbou uit wie se streek die Opkomende Graanprodusent van die Jaar aangewys is.

Die wye ondersteuning van die nuusmedia, bywoning van groot getalle gaste en senior verteenwoordigers van die owerheid dui daarop dat die Graan SA Kongres as ‘n hoogtepunt op die landboukalender geag word.

Executive and Management Committee

The Executive comprises elected representatives from the various regions. The Executive convened on a quarterly basis during the reporting period. Various policy matters were dealt with and taken to the highest level via internal working groups, committees and other liaising activities. A network of role-players in the industry is maintained through the representation of the organisation by Executive members on several boards, trusts, forums, technical committees and other entities. This is done to ensure that the cause of the grain producer is promoted at the highest level.

The Management Committee deals with the day-to-day needs of the organisation and focuses on financial and staff matters.

A new tradition was established by introducing an award to Executive members who “make their mark” and inspire their colleagues and personnel. This award is made annually at the final function for retired Executive members. Mr Jaco Minnaar received the award for 2014.

Hoofbestuur en Dagbestuur

Die Hoofbestuur bestaan uit verkose verteenwoordigers van die onderskeie streke. Hoofbestuur het tydens die verslagtydperk kwartaalliks vergader. Verskeie beleidsaangeleenthede is hanteer en by wyse van interne werkgroepe, komitees en ander skakelaksies tot op die hoogste vlak gevoer. ‘n Netwerk met rolspelers in die bedryf word gehandhaaf deurdat Hoofbestuurslede die organisasie op verskeie direksies, trusts, forums, tegniese komitees en ander entiteite verteenwoordig. Sodoende word verseker dat die saak van die graanprodusent tot op hoogste vlak bevorder word.

Dagbestuur hanteer die dag-tot-dag behoeftes van die organisasie met die fokus op finansiële- en personeelaangeleenthede.

‘n Nuwe tradisie is gevestig deur ‘n toekenning aan Hoofbestuurslede wat “diep spore trap” en hulle kollegas en personeel inspireer. Hierdie toekenning word jaarliks tydens die afskeidsfunksie vir uitgetrede Hoofbestuurslede oorhandig. Die 2014-toekenning is gemaak aan mnr Jaco Minnaar.

An induction programme for newly elected Executive members was another initiative to be launched. The opportunity was used to support new Executive members with training and information so that they could easily integrate with the Grain SA working group structures. Training opportunities were also offered continually before every Executive meeting.

Grain SA information technology

Support and maintenance

Grain SA follows the best practice technique for information technology with an external service provider (BankservAfrica) that maintains support systems.

The result of this is that all Grain SA personnel have access to a professional, 24-hour support system with remote assistance. All systems are supported via the same server and the necessary discipline and protection were built into the system to ensure optimum interaction and connectivity between all work stations. The second phase of the upgrade of the Grain SA servers was completed in 2014.

Grain SA website (www.grainsa.co.za)

The technology and software drivers of the Grain SA website were unable to handle the high volume of traffic after a period of time and the website was also inadequate for handling new functions and the social media.

It was decided to upgrade the website to satisfy new requirements. After all project proposals had been considered, the contract was awarded to ThoughtCorp. During 2014 Phase 2 of the project was completed with the upgrading of the NAMPO Harvest Day website.

The website was also expanded with a comprehensive data management system for the Farmer Development division to support interactive management actions from the various regions.

The new website enables Grain SA to liaise with members continuously to ensure that the most recent information is made available on a daily basis.

Visitor numbers to the Grain SA website are monitored continuously. Most visits occur during May, with visitors requiring more information on the NAMPO Harvest Day.

The high volume of daily visits to the market information on the website also indicates that the Grain SA website is user-friendly and is managed on a needs-driven basis.

A new initiative was launched to provide the SA Graan/Grain magazine in an eBook format. This can be accessed on www.grainsa.co.za.

‘n Induksieprogram vir nuutverkose Hoofbestuurslede is nog ‘n nuwe inisiatief wat geloods is. Die geleentheid is gebruik om nuwe Hoofbestuurslede te ondersteun met opleiding en inligting om sodoende gemaklik in die Graan SA-werkgroepstrukture te kan inskakel. Opleidingsgeleenthede word ook deurlopend voor elke Hoofbestuursvergadering aangebied.

Graan SA-inligtingstegnologie

Ondersteuning en instandhouding

Graan SA volg die toepassing van beste praktyk-tegniek vir inligtingstegnologie, met ‘n eksterne diensverskaffer (BankservAfrica) wat steunstelsels onderhou.

Die resultaat hiervan is dat alle Graan SA-personeel toegang het tot ‘n professionele 24 uur-steunstelsel met afstandhulp. Alle kantore word via dieselfde bedienerstelsel ondersteun en die nodige dissipline en verskansing is in die stelsel ingebou vir optimale interaksie en verbinding tussen alle werkstasies. Die tweede fase van opgradering van die Graan SA-bedieners is in 2014 afgehandel.

Graan SA-webtuiste (www.grainsa.co.za)

Die tegnologie en sagtewaredrywers van die Graan SA-webtuiste kon met verloop van tyd nie die volume verkeer hanteer nie en was ook ontoereikend om nuwe funksies en die sosiale media te hanteer.

Daar is besluit om die webtuiste op te gradeer om aan nuwe vereistes te voldoen. Ná oorweging van alle projekvoorstelle, is die kontrak aan ThoughtCorp toegeken. Gedurende 2014 is fase 2 van die projek afgehandel met die opgradering van die NAMPO Oesdag-webtuiste.

Die webtuiste is ook uitgebrei met ‘n omvattende databestuurstelsel vir die afdeling Ontwikkelende Landbou om interaktiewe bestuursaksies uit die onderskeie streke te ondersteun.

Die nuwe webtuiste stel Graan SA in staat om deurlopend met lede te skakel ten einde te verseker dat die nuutste inligting op ‘n daaglikse basis beskikbaar gestel word.

Besoekergetalle aan die Graan SA-webtuiste word deurlopend gemonitor. Die meeste besoeke vind plaas gedurende Mei met besoekers wat meer inligting oor die NAMPO Oesdag verlang.

Die hoë volume daaglikse besoeke aan die markinligting op die webtuiste, getuig ook dat die Graan SA-webtuiste gebruikersvriendelik is en behoeftegedrewe bestuur word.

‘n Nuwe inisiatief is geloods om die SA Graan/Grain-tydskrif in eBoek-formaat bekend te stel. Dit is toeganklik op www.grainsa.co.za.

Personnel management

Personnel turnover

The personnel turnover for the reporting period was eight persons. The full personnel corps consists of 73 personnel members.

Skills development

A skills development plan was submitted to the AgriSETA for the period April to March. Grain SA pursues the ongoing development and empowerment of all personnel and various training opportunities and courses were offered to personnel. A Skills Development Committee meets every quarter.

Employment equity

Grain SA complies with the statutory requirements for the submission of the necessary reports and planning to the Department of Labour, as set out in the Employment Equity Act No. 55 of 1998. An Employment Equity Committee meets every quarter.

Safety and health matters

A Safety and Health Committee meets every quarter to ensure that the applicable statutory requirements are met.

Performance evaluation

A performance evaluation of all personnel is managed on a six-monthly basis in consultation with department heads.

Partnerships with funders of Grain SA projects

External funds from the Maize Trust, the Sorghum Trust, the Oil and Protein Seed Development Trust (OPDT) and the Winter Cereal Trust constitute a material contribution to the Grain SA budget.

The following departments of Grain SA utilise external trust funds to carry out various projects:

• Commercial Services – SA Graan/Grain.
• Farmer Development – the entire programme is financed with external funds.
• Industry Services – projects in the public interest for market information, and production costs analysis.

Interim reports were prepared every six months and full annual reports were also submitted to the above trusts. Factual findings by the external auditors of Grain SA (PricewaterhouseCoopers) were submitted to support financial reporting.

Grain SA would like to express its gratitude to the Winter Cereal Trust, Maize Trust, Sorghum Trust and Oil and Protein Seed Development Trust for their continued support.

NAMPO Geboue (Pty) Ltd

The Grain SA building in Bothaville (in the name of NAMPO Geboue (Pty) Ltd) was sold during the year under review. The transfer of the building to the new owner was accompanied by nostalgia, seeing that the building had been a Grain SA landmark in Bothaville for many years.

The Grain SA personnel team in Bothaville is still housed in a part of the building that is leased from the new owner.

Personeelbestuur

Personeelomset

Die personeelomset vir die verslagtydperk was agt persone. Die volle personeelkorps beloop 73.

Vaardigheidsontwikkeling

‘n Vaardigheidsontwikkelingsplan is by AgriSETA ingedien vir die termyn van April tot Maart. Graan SA streef na die ontwikkeling en bemagtiging van alle personeel, en verskeie opleidingsgeleenthede en kursusse is aangebied. ‘n Vaardigheidsontwikkelingskomitee vergader kwartaalliks.

Gelyke indiensneming

Graan SA voldoen aan die statutêre vereistes van indiening van verslae en beplanning van die Departement van Arbeid, soos uiteengesit in die Wet op Gelyke Indiensneming, Wet Nr. 55 van 1998. 'n Gelyke Indiensnemingskomitee vergader kwartaalliks.

Veiligheids- en gesondheidsaangeleenthede

‘n Veiligheids- en gesondheidskomitee funksioneer kwartaalliks om te verseker dat daar aan die toepaslike statutêre vereistes voldoen word.

Prestasie-evaluasie

Prestasie-evaluasie van alle personeel word op ‘n sesmaandelikse basis in oorleg met departementshoofde bestuur.

Vennootskappe met befondsers van Graan SA-projekte

Eksterne fondse vanaf die Mielietrust, Sorghumtrust, Olie- en Proteïensade Ontwikkelingstrust (OPOT) en die Wintergraantrust vorm ‘n wesenlike bydrae tot die Graan SA-begroting.

Die volgende departemente van Graan SA benut eksterne trustfondse vir die uitvoering van verskeie projekte:

• Kommersiële Dienste – SA Graan/Grain.
• Ontwikkelende Landbou – die program in sy geheel word deur eksterne fondse gefinansier.
• Bedryfsdienste – projekte in die openbare belang vir markinligting, en produksiekoste-analise.

Tussentydse verslae is op ‘n sesmaandelikse-basis voorberei en volledige jaarverslae word ook aan gemelde trusts voorgelê. Feitelike bevindinge deur Graan SA se eksterne ouditeure (PricewaterhouseCoopers) is aangebied ten einde finansiële verslagdoening te ondersteun.

Graan SA betuig waardering teenoor die Wintergraantrust, Mielietrust, Sorghumtrust en die Olie- en Proteïensade Ontwikkelingstrust vir hul volgehoue ondersteuning.

NAMPO Geboue (Edms) Bpk

Die Graan SA-gebou op Bothaville (in die naam van NAMPO Geboue (Edms) Bpk), is gedurende die verslagjaar verkoop. Die oordrag van die gebou aan die nuwe eienaar het gepaard gegaan met baie nostalgie, gegewe dat die gebou vir baie jare ‘n Graan SA-landmerk op Bothaville was.