Die Boer – the farmer

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Word moeg wakker, maar staan voor skemer op en hou stiltetyd. Praat met die Here. Vertrou. Glo. Ry met nuwe hoop deur die lande. Praat daar sommer hardop met die Here jou hart leeg. Vee jou trane af en skep moed. Raak opgewonde oor die wolkie so groot soos ñ man se hand op die horison en glo onverskrokke die reën is oppad met ñ huppel in die stap.

Die wolke kom al mooier op en soos hul vermeerder bruis opgewondenheid in jou binneste soos ñ kind wat ñ geskenk gaan kry. Jy dank die Here vir die reën wat oppad is en die lewe is sommer lieflik. …dan waai die wolke oor sonder ñ druppel… in jou binneste kom daar is stilte wat geen woorde kan beskryf nie. Vannag worstel jy weer met jou Skepper, skep weer moed, staan op en pak ñ nuwe dag aan.

ñ Boer – ñ landbouer – verstaan van opoffer, verstaan van vernedering, verstaan van offer as die hael, vuur, skroei-wind en selfs vloede jou oes vernietig en jy staan en kyk na geen vrug op jou arbeid en jy dink in jou hart, “Here, ek weet nie hoe ek anderkant gaan uitkom nie, maar U weet en dis genoeg vir my”. Mag die vrede wat alle verstand te bowe gaan jul omvou en versterk en Vader mildelike reën – sagte reën wat diep in die aarde wegsak – oor jul dorre aarde uitgiet en jul ook geestelik en emosioneel versadig.

Deesdae is daar egter baie gebede wat saam hierdie BOER is en simpatie het met wat die BOERE vir ons doen en deurmaak.  ‘n Boerdery is ‘n besigheid, nes enige ander besigheid, tog is daar ‘n verskil aan die einde,   Niemand kan sonder voedsel voortbestaan nie.

Van ñ boere hart tot ñ boere hart, ons Vader sal voorsien!  Hierdie is vir elkeen van ons volkslede.

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VIDEO’S (MUSICAL)

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http://www.tlu.co.za/index.php/en/argief-afr-2/42-english/latest-news/518-.html

Mr Louis Meintjes, President of TAU SA, accused president Jacob Zuma and his government that they do not have the political will to take care of the farming community’s safety.   Mr Meintjes also accused President Zuma of betraying the agricultural community which is a strategically important component that can ensure stability by being the providers of food on everyone’s table.  Government has failed with community safety on farms.

During the first 14 days of the second month of the year 11 people have already been killed on farms – almost one murder per day.   TAU SA insists that the government cannot sidestep its constitutional obligation to ensure the safety of its citizens. This includes the agricultural community, says Mr Meintjes.

The country is currently on the verge of being classified as economic junk status.  “The government must create a climate in which the private sector will invest with confidence.  The Zuma government is failing miserably in this, as it is failing miserably in its obligation to keep the community safe,” says Mr Meintjes.

The safety conditions in South Africa is unacceptable and fundamentally corrupted by the ANC government whose only policy is the continuation of the “struggle”, which amounts in practice to the survival and enrichment of government officials and their cronies, instead of governing the country to the benefit of all. “The example that the government sets and allows others to make is indeed an encouragement for anyone just to take what they want, where they want, even if it is a person’s life. Farmers nowadays have to rely largely on their own devices for their safety, while politicians go out of their way to provide sufficient safety mechanisms for themselves, even by deploying the SANDF in this regard.

Mr Meintjes challenged president Zuma to state his position on the unacceptable levels of farm murders   clearly and in no uncertain terms, and also to spell out clearly what the government’s immediate course of action is to stop the infringement of the right of life of farmers.

“The agricultural community has no alternative but to mobilize itself to fight the terrorism being committed against them in kind.  Our farmers refuse to be taken off their farms in green bags while the criminals get their freedom by bail within days and are paraded as heroes in their communities.  The farmers’ emotions are running high, and many feel that they have almost nothing more to lose and are therefore prepared to go to extremes to at least defend their own lives and those of their relatives with everything at their disposal,” said Mr Meintjes.  “Only the government is to blame for this explosive situation.”

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Farmers grow, raise and harvest animals and crops to sell at farmers’ markets or to food-processing businesses. The job comes with a lot of multitasking and requires farmers to stay on their toes as they ensure animals are fed, seeds are sprouting and resources aren’t dwindling. Farmers put on a variety of hats each day, whether they’re installing sprinkler systems, raising honeybees or calculating budgets.

Large farms may have the resources to support crops, livestock, poultry and more, but they require farmers to manage all these tasks. Smaller farms may specialize in one type of product, such as only crops or poultry. For example, farmers in aquaculture breed, feed and raise shellfish or fish. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some farmers specialize in horticulture and grow either plants and flowers for landscaping purposes or berries and grapes for wine-making.

Farmers are like managers, carefully deciding each plan for the entire season. They consider business contracts, weather forecasts, consumer demands, financial aspects and workloads to decide which crops to grow or cattle to breed. For example, if customers at farmers’ markets want fruits or vegetables after their natural growing season ends, farmers may decide to grow them in greenhouses to meet the demands. Planning ahead and producing various products also create a security blanket if the market fluctuates, which can happen if the price of farmers’ main crop suddenly plummets.

Since farmers are self-employed, they must deal with buyers directly to discuss prices, negotiate deals and sell their products. Contract deals, which are usually used by food-processing companies, are established in advance. As soon as farmers begin harvesting activities, such as collecting eggs and milk or rounding up crops and picking fruits or vegetables, the rush to deliver is on. Products generally go through a quick rinse before they’re inspected for quality, bundled or packaged and quickly sent to buyers.