Enjoying the SABI Western Cape meeting

Delicious potjies cooked by chefs extraordinaire Andre Lombard, Chris Venter and Andre du Toit provided a veritable feast for the SABI Western Cape branch attendees.

SABI NewsJet                                                                                                                                                                                                                July 2011

IN THIS ISSUE

  Newest SNE hails from Limpopo

  SABI National Congress 2011

  Branch meetings – Western Cape

  SABI Magazine

  Congratulations! | Veels geluk!

  SASOL and SABI’s Upper Vaal initiative

At a well-attended SABI Company Member meeting held at Elsenburg in Stellenbosch on a crisp winter evening In June 2011, Frikkie
Koegelenberg received the highest accord in SABI: Honourable Fellow. Felix Reinders presented the honour to Frikkie, who wasn’t aware that he was going to receive it on the evening, and was somewhat surprised! Felix said that the honour isn’t a recognition that is easily given out by SABI. 

To earn Honourable Fellow one needed to have served SABI with very special distinction. There are to date only 7 Honourable Fellows of SABI. Felix said that Frikkie had served the irrigation sector at the highest levels, and has left an incredibly deep impression “het diep spore getrap” with the work that he has done over the years. As a SABI President in 1997/1998 Frikkie was one of the youngest in age presidents of SABI – even while a young leader, he had made very important advancements for SABI, and had been important in securing the Institute’s development into the future. 

A pioneering thinker, Frikkie had seen the need in the 90s to elect a
fulltime secretariat for SABI.  Always a high achiever, Frikkie earned his Gold SABI Medal in 1999 and in 1997 had his Silver Medal awarded to him.  SABI President Jaco Burger joined Felix in congratulating SABI’s newest Honourary Fellow and said that “SABI is indeed very proud to have Frikkie Koegelenberg associated with us.”

Also at the meeting, Professor Nic Vink from the University of
Stellenbosch delivered an illuminating address to the gathering on work being done on the formulation of the how and why agriculture can create 1 million jobs in South Africa. The evening was rounded off with a finger supper and refreshments.

SABI se nuutste Ere Genoot - Frikkie Koegelenberg

SABI’s newest Honourable Fellow – Frikkie Koegelenberg

SABI National Congress 2011 –

for the People, Planet and Prosperity

2-5 August 2011

The hottest ticket is one to the SABI National Congress 2011, which is completely booked to capacity. Be sure to look out for your build-up-to Congress information in your email! You can also check the website at www.sabi.co.za for updates.

Abstracts will be placed in August on www.sabi.co.za for members.

The next Congress will be held in 2012 in the Free State.

HAVE A HAPPY CONGRESS!

Please submit your comments or article ideas (carol@sabi.co.za) and place your advertisements (riana@sabi.co.za) now:

· October November edition of SABI mag, the special feature is pomegranates, figs and all crops that are slightly unusual.  We will also present an in-depth look at weather prediction and technologies of climate and weather.

· December/January 2012 edition takes a look at Berries and Scheduling & Water Management.

Sasol, in partnership with SABI,hosted two Information Days on Irrigation Management in May in Villiers and Danielsrusin the north-eastern Free State in recognition of the escalating risk posed by water issues in the Upper Vaal catchment.The information days, attended by farmers and other interested parties, focussed primarily on water use efficiency in irrigation. The talks were presented by subject matter specialists and provided both SASOL and SABI with more insight into the current situation and important issues in the area.

This initiative was a demonstration of Sasol’s commitment to increase their involvement with water management in the catchment area. It was also a first step towards engaging farmers in the area to start a process of multi-sector collaboration in the Upper Vaal Catchment, in order to improve water use efficiency.The engagement also created a solid foundation to build future relationships on.

Sasol New Energy’s manager for sustainable water Andries Meyer said:

“We found the information days and interaction with the irrigation farming communities and other stakeholders a very valuable learning experience and good preparation for future collaboration within this important water-use sector.”

SABI looks forward to further workshops with SASOL, to create awareness on vital issues.

www.sabi.co.za

Congratulations to Heinrich Mὒller, who wrote and passed the SNE in Limpopo.  Heinrich now joins the ranks to SABI Approved Designers, well done!

To coincide with the SNE, Limpopo also held a branch meeting in Pietersburg.  Branches can organise the SNE in their area and follow it up on the same day with a branch meeting. If you would like to arrange an SNE, please be in contact with Riana Lombard.

SABI TRAINING REMINDER

Book now for training courses:

· 13-15 September: Irrigation Sales Assistant’s Course – Nelspruit.

· 11-13 October: Irrigation Scheduling (NQF level 4) - Pretoria

· 18-20 October: Gerekenariseerde besproeiingsontwerp met Model Maker – Stellenbosch

 

Please contact Amanda at:

Amanda@sabi.co.za or phone her on 021 850 8220 to book places on of the SABI training courses.

Newest SNE hails from Limpopo

……isn’t it about time your branch held a SABI National Examination?

SABI Magazine

SASOL and SABI’s Upper Vaal initiative takes off

Branch meetings – Western Cape | Drip research results draw lots of interest

Brand new drip irrigation research was recently showcased at a SABI Branch meeting in Elsenburg, Stellenbosch, with SABI and the ARC’s Felix Reinders introducing the results, placing the drip irrigation context in a global context to start with. The research results have attracted a lot of interest from SABI members and farmers, as the research has great practical application on-farm.  SABI members found the presentation of the research a very worthwhile experience, with lots of information and new insights into theoretical and practical areas presented. The ARC, SABI, SALI and the WRC all were involved in this interesting research
project, which brings much to light on drip irrigation – the use of which is growing apace. Should you be interested in a
presentation of the Drip Research Project at your branch meeting, please contact Riana Lombard at riana@sabi.co.za.

The presentation of the Drip Irrigation Project was followed by a lovely potjie, cooked by SABI’s Western Cape’s very own trio of "Jamie Olivers":  with André Lombard; Chris Venter and André du Toit showing off their potjie making talents. They received a lot of compliments for their great cooking. Thank you to the three chefs!

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New Honourable Fellow Frikkie Koegelenberg with present president Jaco Burger and past presidents of SABI, Felix Reinders, Dr Jean Piaget and Rod Mountain. Frikkie was president in 1997/1998 of SABI.