South African grower helps staff seed future self-sufficiency
“I go to supermarkets quite often and know that three bags cost R300 or more so how can I still ask my staff to pay rent? We pay everything for them on the farm: electricity, water and rent and we encourage them to plant vegetable gardens so become more self-sufficient,” Cloete says adding that they also provide seeds, fertiliser and even plant equipment, like tractors, to assist staff with their kitchen gardens. Cloete, a Tru-Cape apple and pear grower, also farms with sheep and cattle.
During harvesting season, when the demand for labour is greater than the supply, Cloete brings in people from The Ark’s New Jerusalem: a drug and alcohol restoration centre in Eersterivier to work on the farm.
“During season we have 18 to 20 people here recovering from drugs. They know nothing about picking or farming and we provide them with the skills and equipment. These are people starting from scratch again and this experience is giving them a second chance at life. Most of the guys are so impressed with the farming environment which is away from the many distractions of the city. It is quiet and calm here and people respond well to working in nature with the Greyton mountains around them and the river nearby.”
Cloete has also hired personal trainer Alexander Sleenhof to teach all the farm children how to swim: “It is very important that all the children here know how to swim as the river is nearby and the statistics for death by drowning are very high.” Sleenhof is also involved in training the soccer team in the nearby Genadendal community.
“We provide free transport for our people to local schools and also to community sports activities. We also encourage our staff to save and have policies that cover funerals and other eventualities.” Cloete ends.
Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, the largest marketer of South African apples and pears, feels it is responsible for the livelihoods of over 15,200 people via the successful sale of their grower’s fruit.
Roelf Pienaar, Tru-Cape Managing Director, says: “ When a grower as excellent as Andre Cloete is also recognised by his peers it makes Tru-Cape especially happy, but to know that his heart is also in the right place when it comes to supporting and growing his staff and their families is almost more important to us and we couldn’t be prouder of his achievements.”
For more information:
Brian Berkman
Tel: +27 083 441 8765
BB@BRIANBERKMAN.COM