SA Graan Maart 2015

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RELEVANT
Good labour practices and
relationships in the spotlight
At Vastrap Enterprises, a mixed farming business near
Ladybrand in the eastern Free State, it is believed that if
farm workers are treated with respect and feel appreciated,
it will reflect in their work. This is where their success lies:
In happy, loyal and hardworking staff.
Vastrap Enterprises has 18 permanent staff members and a farm
manager, Mr André Scheepers, who has been employed since 2005.
There are eleven workers in the crop team (maize, sunflower and
wheat) and seven workers in livestock (Boran cattle stud, commer-
cial cattle and sheep).
“We believe that our staff is the most important asset of our
farming business and this philosophy underlines our approach
to labour practices. As a starting point, we aim to comply with all
South Africa’s labour legislation. However, simply complying with
the letter of the law doesn’t guarantee a healthy work environment
or a motivated workforce.
“We put a lot of thought and effort into how we can keep staff
morale high. It’s not only the right thing to do, but also makes busi-
ness sense to have happy and loyal staff especially in a farming
community where everyone lives in close proximity to each other.
We care about the details, like making sure that everyone is kitted
out in good quality work gear branded with the Vastrap logo and
having a well-structured bonus scheme that incentivises good
work,” Mr Quentin de Bruyn (owner of Vastrap Enterprises) states.
De Bruyn and his wife, Marisa, engage actively with their staff
through weekly work meetings and occasional social activities. In
order to foster an environment of mutual trust, everyone is treated
with respect and dignity and is recognised as individuals with rights
and responsibilities of their own.
Giving back
The De Bruyns want their staff to be proud of the role they play in
the success of Vastrap Enterprises. The quality of their housing is
an important part of this. In the past two years, all the staff houses
have been upgraded.
“We think it is important to give consideration to their human/
social needs as individuals, not just as employees,” says Marisa.
All houses have access to clean water on tap and electricity. In
addition, a large communal ablution facility has been built, which
includes flush toilets, baths, showers and washing facilities for men
and women.
The building also has a separate playroom for all the pre-school
children living on the farm. As part of their Mandela Day project
last year, donations helped to create a colourful space for the kids
filled with educational toys, books, a TV, DVD player and comfort-
able furniture.
Marisa and Quentin also believe that the spouses are an important
part of the community and in recognition of this; all spouses and
children are given special Christmas gifts each year.
In the next issue you can read more on how they give acknow-
ledgment; and receive a few tips on how to get the best from your
workforce.
ELMARIE HELBERG, SA Graan/Grain contributor
– Vastrap Enterprises (Part 1)
Series
Share you practices with fellow producers
Grain SA members are welcome to share with their fellow producers their tips and advice for good labour practices and relations on the farm;
or methods that they apply on their farms that work for them. Send an email to and we will contact you.
113
March 2015
1: Quentin and Marisa de Bruyn try to do annual team building sessions
to build morale. Some of the highlights have been attending the 2010
World Cup soccer matches in Bloemfontein, a visit to a local game farm,
staff braais and end of season headland (wenakker) parties.
2: The staff interacted with a young lion during their visit to a local
game farm.
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