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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