Pampoenboere alumni support complaints against decay

On 21 July 2022, Saai, a family farming network, lodged complaints at the Potchefstroom police station against the North-West Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Works and the South African Heritage Resources Authority.

The complaints in terms of section 51(1)(a) and section 27(18) of the National Heritage Resources Act follow the shocking revelations about the condition of the national monuments at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture.

“The continuous decay of facilities, buildings and administration has been a problem for more than a decade. It is a symptom of mismanagement at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture. Therefore, Saai appeals to the North-West Department of Agriculture to place the management of the college in competent hands,” says Francois Rossouw, CEO of Saai.

Saai also announced the founding of the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture Alumni Association. This voluntary association consists of alumni of the college who are concerned about the state of the training and infrastructure at the college. “The institution was once a beacon of excellence in the agricultural community and we as alumni would like to restore it to the proud institution it was and can be again,” says Boy Saaiman, founder of the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture Alumni Association.

The criminal charges are only one of many steps taken to hold the management accountable and bring about notable change in the college.

Alumni of the college can join the alumni association by visiting the following website: www.pampoenboere.org

Photo: Annelise Lange