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Take part in our Wine Poll

If the ban on the transport and sale of alcohol is not lifted soon, 90% of wine farmers will face bankruptcy and about 350 000 people working in the industry will not be able to put food on the table. Saai, together with 10 other Applicants from the wine industry, will oppose the ban on […]

Saai requests clarity on CADS Fund applications

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development on 6 April 2020 issued a call for applications in respect of a COVID-19 Agricultural Disaster Support Fund (CADS Fund). The Department stated that they had ring-fenced R1,2 billion to assist financially distressed smallholder and communal farmers. The applications opened on 8 April 2020 and closed on 22 April 2020. On 17 May 2020 Minister […]

Saai wins exports case for bird farmers

Saai, an organisation that represents the interests of family farmers, was today successful with its urgent court application in the Northern Gauteng High Count in Pretoria to allow for the export of birds to foreign markets. “Saai launched this application because although level 4 regulations permit the export of all agricultural goods in terms of Section 22(1)(e), […]

Saai takes action to break ban on bird exports

South Africa is one of the largest exporting countries of exotic birds and parrots. Breeders depend on the exports of young, hand-raised birds for 90% of their income. The income is mainly used to maintain breeding pairs, pay staff wages and salaries and serve as income for breeders, which also includes the elderly who depend […]

Free Review of Water Registration Certificates

Wondering if your water rights are still valid? and if so, until when? Please note if you receive a water bill from Water Affairs, it is NOT an assurance that your water consumption is legal or valid. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is currently busy with a verification and validation (V&V) process. They […]

Requirements for family farmers who travel during Level 4-lockdown

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, announced on 29 April 2020 the regulations applicable to Level 4 restrictions that took effect on 1 May 2020 to help combat COVID-19. Section 16 of the amended Regulations (GG No. 43258) states: Every person is confined to his or her place of residence. A […]

Saai: CIPC registration a headache for family farmers

This past week Saai, an organisation that represents the interests of family farmers, has been inundated with phone calls from frustrated family farmers who were prevented from travelling through roadblocks because they did not have Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) certificates that identify them as essential service providers. Regulations in terms of the Disaster […]

Hunting industry can help alleviate hunger during COVID-19 period

The EMS Foundation’s recent call on government departments to ban the slaughtering and consumption of game, as well as its export in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, is opportunistic and irresponsible in a time during which the game and hunting industry can play an enormous role in alleviating hunger in vulnerable communities. This request to […]

Accessibility to CADS Fund a headache for small-scale farmers

Though government’s aid package of R1,2 billion for small-scale farmers has widely been welcomed, potential beneficiaries are struggling to access the application process. It enhances the suspicion that the money in the COVID-19 Agricultural Disaster Support Fund (CADS Fund) is meant for a small number of politically connected people who have the means and access to […]

Saai Against Hunger

Although South Africa enjoys food security on a national level, not every household necessarily has access to what is needed. With the extended lockdown period, the need of those who do not earn an income and do not have the money to buy food, will just worsen the situation. Cash flow in households has drastic […]