What a year 2020 has been! It was filled with challenges, hiccups and lockdowns! But, like the resilient industry we are, we managed the difficulties and here we are at the beginning of 2021. Whatever problems await us in the future, we’ll work out solutions as we go along – provided we do what we always do: supporting each other like family should.

GOSA is proud that, despite the circumstances, the grain industry successfully handled the second biggest maize crop ever during the previous season. It was also the biggest wheat crop in 18 years! Barley and canola followed suit by surpassing all previous records. We salute our farming community and the members of GOSA for proving, once again, that perseverance and faith will sustain us in even the most difficult of times. The ravages of COVID-19 were not enough to dampen our spirit.

The export of grain proceeded despite the pandemic and 636 000 tonnes of white maize were exported to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Taiwan and Vietnam received 1,2 million tonnes of our yellow maize. The GOSA family’s contribution to these achievements was indispensable, and we are proud to play our part in alleviating hunger on a world-wide scale.

It is a fallacy to imagine that our lives will become happier and richer as we acquire more and more money and possessions. It simply isn’t true. We are involved in agriculture because we strive to meet the needs of others. Our prosperity is not defined by what we own, but by what we provide to households big and small. It is the knowledge that we play a pivotal role in society that keeps us motivated to do what we do best. GOSA remains committed to this philosophy.

COVID-19 continues to be a challenge in 2021. With new variants contributing to the current atmosphere of uncertainty, our planned simposium in March may be in jeopardy. We await further developments and government statements which will have an influence on our decisions regarding our next get-together. We all know how difficult it is to plan ahead in these times.

Alternatives to the customary congress must be considered. The GOSA management meets towards the end of January to discuss various scenarios. We have already started planning to host virtual workshops with various topics applicable to our industry.

Please visit our webpage to stay abreast with the latest news as well as our planned virtual workshops. We sincerely hope to gather as one big family as soon as Covid allows us to do so.

In closing, I don’t just want to thank everybody for their loyalty and support, like we usually did in the past. This year I want to add the wish that you will all be safe, healthy and observe the protocols to contain the spread of the pandemic. May 2021 add to your happiness and joy as we continue to strive to be providers to the nations.

Hein Rehr
GOSA President

Mobile: 082 451 1569
Email: hein@natfum.co.za