RSA Group Reflections July 2024

Dear friends

I spent another fascinating few days at the University of Free State this July, giving lectures to business management students, from first year to honours level. Once again, I left the province convinced that our future is in good hands.

There’s a classic old saying that goes something like: youth is wasted on the young. But my recent experience challenges this notion. I found a group of young South Africans with a clear passion for not only understanding our fresh produce industry, but also for imagining how agriculture as a whole can contribute to the betterment of South African society – now, and into the future. My days at the Free State University were pretty much the direct opposite of the disengaged, unaware youth stereotype.

Crucially, the students I interacted with were interested in the details and the bigger picture. It was a real pleasure to interact with them so deeply, and to be on the receiving end of so many probing, insightful and interesting questions. I imparted as much knowledge as I could, but this was very much a two-way interaction, and I have to confess that I am unsure as to who came away better educated after our sessions – the students, or myself.

Of course, hope for the future will only take us so far. If we want to improve the prospects for our country, our sector and our industry, over the long term, we also need to take the practical actions necessary to allow our new generations to step up and fulfil their potential. Within this context, I was delighted to be able to offer an RSA Group sponsorship to a University of Free State honours student to attend the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Southern Africa Conference, held in the first week of August, in Cape Town.

Unsurprisingly, competition was stiff, with Bolerileng Shinners ultimately selected by his lecturers. I also had the honour of sponsoring another young person who I found to be particularly impressive during our interactions; Greg Spear, a fifth generation banana farmer. I hope that they found value from the IFPA South Africa conference, and that Bolerileng enjoyed the experience of a very different, focused lens from everything we discussed during the lectures. Judging by how actively they engaged with everyone at the event, including myself, I have no doubt that they will take a wealth of knowledge back with them. I very much look forward to encountering them again in the years ahead.

My hope is that our industry can find many more ways to include young South Africans in the day-to-day realities of our business. If we can get this right, our future is not only in good hands, but destined to prosper. The key to success in this regard, I believe, is for us to take matters into our own hands as fresh produce businesses and agri industry bodies, rather than waiting for others to lead the way.

Yes, it’s a challenge to actively seek out young talent, nurture it, and make sure that our young stars are able to participate in pushing South African fresh produce forward… but we are surely more than capable of rising to meet it!

Best wishes,
Jaco Oosthuizen