Events and Functions managers South Africa. Organise launches, planning holidays, weddings, seminars and parties

It’s a fact, dangerously nice (Gevaarlik Lekker) can bring trouble. Big trouble if you’re trying to scam millions from unsuspected wine importing companies. And while the country is in a grip of a huge strike action across many different sectors, a Transylvanian dragon was found in what is now Romania. Life is interesting and here with us, there’s never a dull moment.

Agri Mega’s introduction of the Agri Mega Week 2010 took place at D’Aria. We all know cocktails are the fashionable thing today and what better way to introduce our Mega Week than with a cocktail evening at this very popular Durbanville setting while learners of the Stellenbosch High School provided the music for the evening. Role players, clients and sponsors were invited to join in the celebration while the Mega Week Expo Publication was also unveiled. Sponsored by Land Bank, guest speakers included Mr Gerrit van Rensburg, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Western Cape, as well as Orton King, Executive Director of the Agri Mega Group.

Lights, cameras, action!

Agri Mega Week 2010 to take place from 15-17 September in Bredasdorp keeps us running around all day throughout the month. And if you were wondering why you should be seen there, don’t despair. Think lower admission fees, workshops, spoiling the ladies, demonstrations and experiments, agriculture labour activities, exhibitions, industry interaction, youth and school involvement, as well as shows and other livestock-activities.

The Agri Mega Week had a humble beginning some 10 years ago on a sowing field outside Bredasdorp. The need of the local farming community for an occasion where producers and role players could rub shoulders and have lively discussions around agriculture, has subsequently escalated into the third largest annual agricultural expo in South Africa, at Agri Mega Park. With the primary objective to play an undeniable role in the sustainability of agriculture in South Africa for future generations, it can rightfully be regarded as the Nampo of the South.

The Agri Mega Week provides an opportunity for dialogue amongst commercial farmers, small farmers, agricultural labour, learners, students, suppliers, specialists, researchers, educators, policy makers, government and stakeholders in agriculture. Information is obtained, opinions formed, needs shared and challenges exposed on topical issues.

Organised Agriculture such as Grain SA, MPO, RMPO, NWGA, South African Farm Worker Association (SAFWA), United South African Agricultural Association (USAAA) and other commodity organisations, and sponsors, utilise this opportunity for networking and entertainment of members and clients.

Current issues and challenges in agriculture are thrashed out in various debates, workshops, seminars and presentations. World class exhibits and demonstrations, both indoors and outdoors, as well as championships, competitions, auctions and performances form part of an unique expo - a highlight on the Agricultural calendar of South Africa.

The theme of the Expo, ‘Food Security in Action’, will be significantly enhanced by presentations and events. Some of the relevant issues to be highlighted at the Agri Mega Week 2010 will include increased canola production by means of the launch of a Canola Production Manual and Calendar, biodiversity in agriculture, improvement of milking performance, small farmers and pioneers in agricultural transformation, as well as the debate around food security versus transformation in agriculture.

Because the Agri Mega Week will focus almost exclusively on food security, events will therefore endeavour to identify the tasks of an acceptable, effective and sustainable agricultural turnaround strategy. By listening to Jerome Topley, General Manager, Communication and Development, Agri Mega Group, “Walking together” minds the gap between food security and transformation. According to him a growing number of concerns in the agricultural sector create the desire to ask all role players to “mind the gap” and overcome these concerns towards achieving sustainable well-being in agriculture.

The “Mind-the-gap”-scenario originates from the London underground train network where commuters are constantly warned to “mind the gap” on departing trains to prevent them from getting hurt in the gap between trains and platforms. As a scenario it is interpreted that the status quo of a situation is not necessarily what is generally expected from it and that a “gap” exists.

In the South African agricultural context the “gap” (need) to bear in mind is the ability to produce, conditions and food security. A gap exists between the ability of agriculture to produce and the demand of consumers, often articulated by government. Mechanisms to bridge the gap exist, but to understand what should be borne in mind is the difficult part. Walking together and an interactive government is what are needed to bridge the gap.

The SA Terroir Wine Awards honour the wines which truly portray South Africa's different wine growing areas, making it the most exclusive wine competition on the international scene. With these wise words from Dave Hughes, South Africa’s renowned international wine expert and judge, it was now wonder the SA Terroir Wine Awards received a record number of 239 entries. Three wine estates stood out with two National Certificate winners each, Kaapzicht, Wildekrans and Klein Constantia. For the first time ever a trophy was awarded to the top wine area in South Africa, based on a specific winegrowing terrain that produced most of the wines that went to the final round for a SA Terroir National Certificate, as well as the number of wines that received a National Certificate. The first winner of the Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Area is the Wellington ward, with seven finalists and two national winners (Diemersfontein Pinotage and Doolhof Petit Verdot). Welbedacht of Schalk Burger & Sons produced three of the seven national finalists from Wellington.

"South Africa's winelands is a world of wine on its own. In the past five years the entries for SA Terroir Wine Awards have grown from 151 to 239, which is relatively high if you consider the strict wine of origin rules that are applied to truly make this competition an expression of our top terroir wines. Only wines certified as a single vineyard wine, estate produced wine or from a specific ward can participate, and in the judging only quality counts," said Marius Labuschagne, project leader of SA Terroir Wine Awards.

A new coffee table book has seen the light. Paarl & Wellington - Gateway to the South African Winelands are published by 2b Publications and we are featured on page 47. As Nataniel once said: Just go and buy the book!

Being socially responsible

PSG Consult, one of our longstanding clients, has taken on a new corporate social responsibility project in funding the Stellenbosch Libertas Choir. By wanting to promote the Afrikaans culture, PSG Consult made a substantial financial commitment to this choir to give previously disadvantaged members the opportunity to indulge in culture and education. On December 5 a Christmas concert will take place at the Endler Hall. Tickets are R150 a person. All proceedings will be donated to the Libertas Choir. Tickets are available from PSG Consult’s office, the Libertas Choir and Mega Events.

We are also putting out all stops for some creative options regarding year end functions for some of our loyal clients. People nowadays don’t want to go out for a traditional dinner or lunch. They want something creative, fun and out of the box. And this is where we fit into the picture.

In the cards is also a big gala event for one of the most well known wine estates in South Africa – this among a thousand other things. So it’s back to the drawing board for us. Until next time!

Eunice Kotzé
Elma Brand
Elbé van Gooswilligen