“One day, your health will become a priority, whether by choice or necessity,” said someone in a social media video.
Hierdie stelling is beide selfverduidelikend en ontnugterend en het beslis in ’n persoonlike hoedanigheid by my aanklank gevind.
En terwyl ek dié redakteursbrief sit en skryf, kon ek nie anders as om ook ’n verbintenis te sien met die bedryfsrolspelers – insluitend soveel onbesonge helde – wat onvermoeid swoeg om ’n “skoon gesondheidstaat” vir die dinamiese Suid-Afrikaanse vrugtebedryf te probeer handhaaf nie.
To a large degree, the robustness, agility and relevance of the industry dictate its collective response to climate change and level of sustainability compliance; global footprint; fruit quality and production volumes; ability to maintain the livelihoods of the 320 000 on-farm workers in the industry and their >1.2 million dependents, as well as the rest of the workforce; and its continued contribution to the local GDP. These are notable indicators of the “health” of the industry, the prioritisation of which requires the calibre of dedicated people that the industry is fortunate to have.
And speaking of health, World Soil Day (5 December) is an important reminder of the role that soil health plays in the viability of horticulture. The fact that – according to experts – it can take up to 1 000 years to produce 1 cm of fertile soil, and that same soil can be destroyed in just a few years, is enough said. So, here’s a special mention for the soil scientists in the industry, for their dedication and expertise.
At this time of year, in an industry where a vision-aligned focus and solution-oriented approach are already commonplace, I’m inclined to get back on my hobbyhorse of reminding industry members also to contemplate positive advancements and victories when reflecting on the year. On page six, I do just that by shining the spotlight on just some of the 2025 industry highlights.And in the vein of contemplation, on page 10, outgoing PPEF CEO Anton Kruger looks back poignantly on his illustrious career in the South African fruit industry.
Hierdie uitgawe sluit ook die Hortgro Jaarlikse Toekennings in, ’n kykie na die ekonomiese vooruitsigte vir tafeldruiwe, ’n 40-jaar padius deur plantgroeireguleerders, en ons ondersoek sitrushandel en -groei.
So gepraat van sitrus, ek is inderdaad hartseer oor die afsterwe van Deon Joubert, EU Spesiale Gesant vir die sitrusbedryf. My handjievol persoonlike ontmoetings met Deon was betekenisvol en het beslis professionele respek en ’n geneentheid by my gevestig.
Hy was ’n wandelende ensiklopedie en ’n grappjas. Ek het hom die eerste keer tydens ’n vergadering ontmoet, voordat ek by die vrugtebedryf aangesluit het. Sonder skroom het hy aangekondig dat hy nog nie geëet het nie en aan sy toebroodjie begin smul.Daarna was ek ook bevoorreg om by geleentheid heelwat oor die bedryf – veral die internasionale mark – by Deon te kon leer.
And in the ironic gist of this piece, often the state of our health is, indeed, beyond human control.
May we continue to prioritise our own health and that of the industry – by choice rather than necessity.
Catherine