Piet Mothepu of Zamdela, Sasolburg, is now the Deputy National Chairperson of the South African Grains Association.
The new leadership of South African Grains Association (SAGRA) was elected towards the end of last year during the association’s first National Conference held in Queenstown in the Eastern Cape.
Mothepu was elected unopposed to the position of Deputy National Chairperson. The other elected Board members are Victor Mongoato National Chairperson, Joe Mnyengo and Madineo Minisi.
SAGRA a commodity of AFASA was founded in 2018 by grain producers from various grain producing regions in South Africa.
It is a Non-Profit Organisation that is incorporated under the South African legislation and a voluntary commodity membership base organization that represent interests of communal, subsistence, small-holder and commercial producers in the South African Grain and Oilseeds industry.
Its key focus commodities are Barley, Dry beans, Canola, Grain sorghum, Indigenous grains, Ground nuts, Soybeans, Sunflower, Wheat, White and Yellow maize.
SAGRA also seeks to ensure participation of black people into the Grain Value Chains with clear targets and bring all grain farmers together to buy in bulk, have own cooperative bank and storage facilities own by farmers themselves.
On his appointment Mothepu said he is proud of the role he has been tasked with. “I’m happy to be part of the leadership of SAGRA, the new giant in the grain industry. Black farmers voices are well represented in our association and we will now speak together with one voice. We are working well together with Provincial and National Governments to ensure that we bring change that will benefit farmers.”
