Black economic empowerment

In 2004 we entered into a partnership with 68 of our permanent workers, purchasing the farm Welgemeen, in which they own a 20% share. The operation is a broad-based economic empowerment project where shareholders receive dividends on their investment, which occurred in 2010.

Welgemeen is a 105 hectare farm and currently produces over 3 500t of fruit a year. These orchards all have micro-irrigation and the fruit is used for primary fresh packaging and exporting, but also used for drying and canning.

By acting as mentors and business partners the commercial shareholders provide the expertise, training them in technical and financial matters, as well as personal and career development.

Trevor’s Farm is another project we’re proud of. Through mentorship and shared use of equipment, a first generation farmer was given the opportunity to develop 17 hectares of land and is now selling fruit to local and foreign retailers from his 32 hectare farm.

These are just two examples of how we’re adding greater value to our business and showing our commitment to the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) framework of the South African government.