| Klein Karoo |
| Klein Karoo Group |
| Klein Karoo |
| Marketing |
| Klein Karoo Leather |
| Feathers & Eggs |
| Meat |
| Seed |
| Fruit |
| Klein Karoo Trade |
| Showroom |
| Research |
|
KLEIN Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) The KLEIN KAROO Group is committed to and actively involved in the implementation of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Bill of the South African Government. As it goals this process has equity in the workplace with regards to previously disadvantaged groups. The focus is mainly on black South African citizens in general and specific focus on job creation on all levels for black women and specified groups. The BEE focus of the Group is currently on:
KLEIN KAROO and CSIR support Dysselsdorp Community Project
KLEIN KAROO Group recently contributed to a unique CSIR community project at Dysselsdorp outside Oudtshoorn, which involves the extraction of liquorice from the liquorice plant. The extract is then distributed to clients in
It is the only liquorice plant in the country and profits are utilized to the benefit of the Dysselsdorp community.
This plant flourishes along Olifants River outside Dysselsdorp, about 25km from Oudtshoorn.
The setting up of this project resulted in four permanent and fifty temporary job opportunities. Not only does it supply jobs but also a sought after product with a proven market.
As the major economic role player in the Klein Karoo region, the co-operative considers it important to support community projects which contribute to the upliftment of communities in our widespread region. This liquorice plant is an innovative and deserving business with the potential for further growth to the advantage of the Dysselsdorp community and the local community.
Currently 7 people are permanently employed and more than 200 people are employed seasonally by this project which is managed by Mr Eugene le Roux.
KLEIN KAROO Feather Sorting Project in Dysselsdorp
The KLEIN KAROO Group is involved in four different feather sorting projects in and around Oudtshoorn. On the initiative of local entrepreneurs the KLEIN KAROO International Feather Division became involved in the Saartjie Baartman Development Center Project of Mr Poem Mooney, the Dudley Brandt Feather Sorting Project, the local Christian Women’s Society Project of Ms Johanna Sass in Dysselsdorp and the Best Barber Feather Sorting Project of Mr Christo Botha.
KLEIN KAROO joined forces with these groups to provide badly needed work for some 200 inhabitants of Oudtshoorn and Dysselsdorp.
Some of the Feather Division’s experienced sorters, Johanna Sass, Freddie Links and Bettie Saterdag, have been seconded to train the novices. Their expert guidance as well as weekly inspections by senior KLEIN KAROO staff ensures that the work meets the exacting standards of KLEIN KAROO Ostrich Feathers.
The feathers that are sorted at these projects are excess feathers which KLEIN KAROO receives because of buying much more than before. None of the division’s staff stand to lose their jobs. In fact, the projects solves a major problem for KLEIN KAROO, as the feathers they are sorting, were causing a bottleneck in KLEIN KAROO’S main sorting division.
Currently this project is managed by Ms Johanna Sass ands more than 100 people are employed.
KLEIN KAROO Agri Business Centre - Oudthoorn
The Klein Karoo Agri Business Centre (KKABC) in Oudtshoorn addresses the needs of entrepreneurs who would like to develop businesses in agriculture in the Klein Karoo Region. Business skills, feasibility studies, financial plans and applications as well as implementation of the plan and training are discussed and implemented. The focus is on entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged communities.
The Premier Rasool has proposed a toast on the future of the centre. He pointed out that the goals of the KKABC also have to connect with Black Empowerment Plan of the national Ministry of Agriculture.
Experts at the centre carefully and confidentially listen to entrepreneur’s excitement about their business possibilities during an appointment at the KKABC. Businesses are then officially registered in the data base of the centre and they will spend time to draw up the best possible business plan for the production, marketing and financing of the project. Then this plan for sustainable business, underwritten by the KKABC will be presented to potential financers and developers. The applicant’s rights as the owner and initiator of the idea will be fully protected.
The KLEIN KAROO Group of Oudtshoorn, ABSA and the Land Bank, initiated thisagriculture entrepreneurial centre. The centre is managed by Debbie Bruce and the established and well-known South Cape Business and Export Centre.
All prospective agricultural entrepreneurs from the brown, black and Indian communities are most welcome to have their ideas and the work they had done in this regard, listed at the centre. Enquiries can be made during off ice hours at (044) 272 8345. The e-mail address of the centre is kkabc@mweb.co.za.
Multimillions for Ostrich Empowerment New Horizons for people of Kannaland
Eleven excellent hay and ostrich production farms to the value of R53 million in the Ladismith/ Van Wyksdorp regions in the Little Karoo are being registered in the names of eleven upcoming commercial farmers. This includes implements and infrastructure worth a further R7 million. The project was initiated by Pieter Coetzee of Assegaay Bosch Ranch, one of the leading ostrich producers in the world. It is a direct consequence of Agenda Ladismith 2010 and Ostrivision of the South African Ostrich Business Chamber.
The businesses of five of the eleven producers are being operated as Moose Valley Farms (Pty.) Ltd., while the rest operate under the name of Beaver Creek Farms (Pty.) Ltd. These new participants to the ostrich industry are members of the KLEIN KAROO Cooperative in Oudtshoorn.
The previously disadvantaged newcomers hold 52% of the shares in the project, while the remaining 48% is represented by family involvement of the Coetzees. According to him the land had been sold at market-related prices on a commercial base. What is even more is the transactions was done in exactly the same way for the 9 previously disadvantaged farmers as for Pieter’s own two children, his daughter Misha and his son Peter Adam.
Farming these eleven farms will help feed some 100 breadwinners caring for approximately 500 family members. “This forms an integral part of the plans of Assegaay Bosch Ranch and the Agenda Ladismith 2010 to establish a golf estate and nature reserve as well, with shareholding by previously disadvantaged people in the Van Wyksdorp region,“ Pieter says. “In the end there will be about 2500 new job opportunities in the region as a result of the Integrated Development Plan for Kannaland, in collaboration with tourism.“
Executive Mayor of Kannaland, Counsellor. Magdalena Barry confirms: „This welcome injection for Kannaland will help alleviate poverty and improve the standard of living. This is the beginning of an exciting new life for Kannaland on its way to 2010 in collaboration with the business chambers, local and provincial government and our regional services council,“ she added.
“KLEIN KAROO Commerce and Mechanisation have made hay making equipment and other implements and accessories for the farms available at beneficial prices. The expertise and assistance of the Group will also promote sustainability,” according to Pieter. Financing of the project is done by the Assegaay Bosch Ranch and First Rand Bank, through its financing affiliate, Wesbank. Sustainability studies, statutory regulations and budgets for the projects were done by Kruger of Boshoff Visser Auditors free of charge, and the transfer of the farms was done by Barry and Mouton Attorneys in Ladismith at a minimal tariff .“
Executive Manager of the KLEIN KAROO Group, Kobus Goosen, says this comprehensive empowerment action is in the supplying region for slaughtering material to the ostrich capital of the world, is a result of the OstriBEE business for new entrants of the Ostrivision project. In this way job opportunities are established and alleviation of poverty brought about. We are excited that the ostrich industry is moving in the right direction with empowerment.
The advantaged producers are experienced people, of whom some have been part of the industry for seven generations. Pieter says: “They have contributed capital in the form f the sweat of their hard labour and are one and all fully aware of the responsibility they now have to pay the debt. The farms and feeding conditions in Kannaland are ideal for ostrich production. Full infrastructure and water supply from the Floriskraal Dam, through the Buffels River Water Consumers’ Association, are apt to make these enterprises capable of succeeding. The farmers are well qualified in basic farming skills and in the use of high-level technology such as laser ploughing practices to ensure cost-effective irrigation. With fine management and the necessary mentorship and advice from Pieter this project will be a huge success,” Kobus says.
Kobus added that KLEIN KAROO as a participant in many fields confirms its dedication to community involvement in, amongst others, the Dysseldorp Liquorice Project, feather sorting projects, various vegetable and tunnel cultivation projects and the Struisvogelstories drama of the Kango Ostrich Farm near Oudtshoorn.“I view this success story as the forerunner to various OstriBEE opportunities that directly addresses poverty . . .“ |