7 / 64
5
February 2017
Sustainability is a journey,
not a destination
t
he past festive season was really one of extremes in terms
of wind and weather for summer grain production. Initially
dry days with the wind blowing everything to dust and then
excessive rains. The west is actually currently experiencing
the severity of climate change.
The weather had the emotions of grain producers fluctuating like a
yo-yo of old. The emotions of some remained at the bottom until
the sluices of heaven literally opened at the end of the first week of
January this year.
During the holidays, I came across an excellent quotation that made
me think of the grain producers of South Africa: ‘Are you potted or
planted?’ the writer asked.
If you are a potted plant and the wind turns west and challenges
come blowing like dust storms, you quickly move or your thoughts
wander to Australia or Argentina. But if you are planted by the
back door like a pepper tree, you stand where you stand and deal
with the storms.
I myself planted 18 new trees over the festive season to symbol-
ise that I have a long-term vision for our country and its people.
Trees are a legacy for a following generation: Not only that they
will remember and appreciate us, but also that there will be
shadows to rest under when the sun burns mercilessly and the
wind blows west. Pot plants seldom leave one or another legacy.
You and I live in a period where only a small minority of indivi-
duals strive towards offering their lives for goals that are bigger
than themselves. Grain SA in particular has the goal to leave a
legacy for the country. We do not just live life in the here and now,
but also consider sustainability as a journey and not a destination.
During the Congress in March this year we would like to search
for the road that leads towards it together. I read how the world
is getting worried about so many things we have no control over,
rather than to believe in the One who has everything in His control.
When Christmas had passed and photos of dust clouds still filled
the
groups’ screens, our faith withered. Nevertheless,
we were once again miraculously cared for! It was quite interest-
ing for me to note in an old
SA Graan/Grain
publication that the
columnist
Oom Lang Hans
reported that the rains after the drought
of 1985 also started on 7 January.
Come, let us live and plan the future like a tree firmly planted in
South Africa. Let us not plan as if we are pot plants that can be
shifted here and there depending on the challenges of the day.
Challenges will always be there. If not posed by nature, the politi-
cians will see to it.
It is the way we respond to these challenges that is important.
There will be challenges in 2017; let us tackle them together and
show the world why the South African producers are regularly re-
ferred to as the best in the world.