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CHAPTER 2
whom were producer members, two were representatives for the millers and bakers
respectively, and one for consumers. Under the Marketing Act the representatives for
the producers always had to constitute the majority on the Wheat Board.
In later years wheat producers were represented at provincial level in organised
agriculture on the winter grain committees of provincial agricultural unions, of
which there were four – one for each of the provinces at the time. The district
agricultural unions nominated representatives to the winter grain committees of
the various provincial agricultural unions. The National Winter Grain Committee
of the South African Agricultural Union was appointed from their ranks on the
basis of production, with the result that most of the members came from the
Western Cape, with the Free State contributing the second most, followed by the
Cape Province and Transvaal.
The district agricultural unions therefore in effect nominated the candidates for
appointment as members of the Wheat Board, but the Minister of Agriculture
made the final appointments, which were effective for a period of two years. After
the establishment of the Winter Grain Producer Organisation (WPO), the latter
organisation made the nominations for the Wheat Board.
Sorghum
The new Wheat Board building.
Sound bite: Final issues were settled after the
dissolution of the Wheat Board – Mr Andries
Beyers.
Sound bite: What is discussed in a caucus ses-
sion does not always realise around the negoti-
ating table – Mr Jannie de Villiers.
Before 1945
No control
1945 - 1948/1949 Maize Board operated single-channel pooled system as
temporary measure
1949 - 1957
No control
1957/1958
Maize Board operated single-channel pooled system
1957/1958 - 1985 Maize Board operated floor-price system as part of the
Summer Grain Scheme
1986 - 1997
Sorghum Board established – operated surplus-removal scheme
1997
Sorghum Board abolished
