It's been a profitable season so far for the South African beneficiaries and farmworkers on South African Government owned farms managed by Bono Farm Management.
"We are very happy to have been able to pay considerable amounts to our beneficiaries - and contribute to their children's schooling - thanks to efficient harvesting and proactive marketing," said Bono MD Evans Nevondo.
"This is in spite of the incredibly harsh farming conditions we have endured - including a crippling drought."
Thirty-four beneficiaries at the Mont Piquet farm received R30,000 each in Dec 2015. They also received R30,000 each in March 2016 amounting to a total of R2,040,000 paid out at this farm.
At Rietkloof, 19 beneficiaries each received R20,000 in Dec 2015 and another R20,000 in March this year, In addition R1,000 school fees per beneficiary were paid out in January 2016. This amounts to a total of R779,000 paid to beneficiaries.
Mr Nevondo said that in addition to payments for beneficiaries, 37 permanent workers (who are not beneficiaries) were also rewarded with a total of R111,000 paid to them in bonus payments.
On the Bono managed Sunland farm, 27 beneficiaries were each paid R20,000 in April 2016. Beneficiaries also received R1,000 in school fees each in January 2016, a total of R567,000 was paid out at Sunland.
"I am very pleased that we have made these payments,” said Mr Nevondo. "It is important to us that the people who work the land see the benefits of their hard work."
Mr Nevondo said the company anticipated paying more dividends to beneficiaries and farmworkers and contributing to the economic well being of local communities in the near future.
(1 South African Rand equals 0.069 US Dollar)
For more information:
Evelyn John Holtzhausen
Tel: +27 82 64586007