Indice dei contenuti per 10 May 2019 in Farmer's Weekly

Should African countries fail to increase food production and processing to become at least partly self-sufficient, it will be one of the greatest missed opportunities of the century. The continent has all the resources needed to produce enough food to feed itself; in fact, Africa should be a global food production powerhouse. Instead, however, food imports into Africa are expected to grow from US$35 billion (about R502 billion) per year in 2015 to over US$110 billion (R1,58 trillion) by 2025 if local production and market access are not improved, according to the African Development Bank. A report, published in April this year and commissioned by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat, provides a clear analysis of the challenges that are hindering the development of agricultural value chains in the…

South Africa ended off April with some good developments on the winter crops front as farmers’ intentions-to-plant data for the 2019/2020 production season showed a 2% year-on-year increase to almost 712 000ha. This includes wheat, barley and canola, but the uptick is mainly for wheat and canola, while hectares planted to barley are set to decline marginally. This is according to data from the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC). Having said this, it is still early days and only farmers in the Western Cape had started preparing the soil for the 2019/2020 production season at the time of going to print. FARMERS INTEND TO INCREASE THE AREA PLANTED TO WINTER WHEAT BY 2% Other winter crop-producing provinces, such as the Northern Cape, Free State and Limpopo, will commence with plantings only…

Trade in South African livestock commodities considered safe by the World Organisation for Animal Health has resumed, following the recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. This was according to the latest statement by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and members of the livestock industry. According to the statement, DAFF had successfully negotiated the revision of veterinary health certificates for beef exports to Bahrain, Lesotho, Mozambique, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, eSwatini, the Seychelles, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. This included venison exports to Namibia from game produced before 5 December 2018. “Trade in pork from FMD-free pig compartments [in the country] has been reopened to Lesotho, the Seychelles, Mozambique, eSwatini [and] Namibia (partially),” the statement said. Dewald Olivier, executive manager of the SA Feedlot Association, said news that trade…

Tiger Brands has been served with a summons by the legal firm representing litigants in a class action lawsuit who suffered ill health or lost loved ones as a result of the countrywide listeriosis outbreak in 2018. The outbreak was subsequently found to have originated from products manufactured and sold under Tiger Brands’ Enterprise Foods label. Richard Spoor Inc. Attorneys, which is representing the litigants, said that in the class action lawsuit it would argue that Tiger Brands was liable to pay damages as the company produced and supplied products that were unsafe for human consumption. In addition, it would argue that Tiger Brands had failed to take adequate precautions to prevent listeria contamination of the relevant products and the subsequent sale thereof, and that “constitutional damages are sought on…

Santam’s recent donation of R300 000 to the Agri SA Drought Relief Fund for the drought-stricken area of Sutherland in the Northern Cape has provided a glimmer of hope for farmers in the region. The ongoing drought in the Sutherland area has resulted in a devastating decline in the breeding population of sheep flocks and placed the town’s economy under enormous strain. This was according to a statement released by Agri SA, which stated that the lack of good rainfall in the region since 2013 had resulted in boreholes on farms drying up. “It’s heart-warming that South Africans and South African corporates are coming out in support of our sheep farmers during this very difficult time,” said Agri SA deputy executive director, Christo van der Rheede. He added that R100…

The Southern African grapefruit export season, which runs from April until August, has just started, and it is expected that the total volume harvested for the export market will reach 15,1 million cartons of 17kg each. In addition to grapefruit from South Africa, this figure included fruit harvested in Zimbabwe and eSwatini, according to the chairperson of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa’s Grapefruit Variety Focus Group, Jan-Louis Pretorius. This was 9% down on 2018’s record crop, but 8% higher than the five-year average of 14 million cartons, Pretorius said. The estimate for the South African harvest alone was about 14,6 million 17kg cartons. The EU remained the main export market, receiving 40% of the total volume. “The majority of fruit is imported through the Netherlands and then distributed…

Agricultural history was made recently when the Witte Wijnappel, the first apple tree variety planted by Jan van Riebeeck in the Company’s Garden of the Dutch East India Company, in what is now Cape Town, returned to the Western Cape. According to Buks Nel, Tru-Cape’s new variety expert, Witte Wijnappel trees were brought to the Cape by one of three Dutch East India Company ships, the Tulp (1655), Nachtglas (1656) or Maria (1657). “Historical records show that the Witte Wijnappel was the first apple picked in the Company’s Garden on 17 April 1662,” he said. Witte Wijnappel trees were discovered in the Netherlands about seven years ago. Budwood of the variety, from which a new tree could be grown, was imported and, after a lenghty period in quarantine, was ready…

Low membership numbers of young farmers was one of the main talking points during the Free State Agriculture (FSA) Young Farmer Conference held in Bloemfontein recently. Gerhard Kriel, the CEO of FSA, said during his address that he was concerned about the future of farming based on the association’s statistics, which indicated that more than 90% of its members were older than 35 years. “Approximately 50% of our members are 50 or older. So what is the picture going to look like 20 years from now?” Kriel said. He said FSA had been asking tough questions about the way forward. “We’re going to have to come up with new ways of thinking and new initiatives to survive in the future.” In line with the conference theme ‘Accessible resources in a…

Global economic growth slowed down in the second half of 2018 after robust growth in 2017 and the first part of 2018, according to the recently released World Economic Outlook update from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). China’s growth slowed because of tightening monetary rules as well as trade tension with the US. Business and consumer confidence decreased in the eurozone. Credit conditions tightened, initially in developing countries and, later in 2018, in developed economies. The IMF has adjusted its projected global growth for 2019 downwards by 0,4 percentage points to 3,3%, but still expects global growth to recover slightly in the second half of 2019 due to government stimulus to boost China’s economy, possible improvement in global financial market sentiment, and more favourable conditions in the eurozone. The IMF…

COULD YOU PLEASE EXPAND ON THE CORE BUSINESS OF NAMPO? Nampo gives farmers and other role players in the sector an opportunity to compare products and services, and introduce new products and technologies that will improve sustainability. It’s also crucially important for Grain SA to use Nampo as a showcase for the role of the commercial agriculture sector of South Africa. It is our intention to highlight the sector’s sophistication and scientific capability, as well as its commitment to the provision of food for the country. Our members take their responsibility as producers of sufficient and safe food very seriously. HOW HAS NAMPO EVOLVED SINCE THE FIRST HARVEST DAY IN BLOEMFONTEIN? GRAIN SA’S MEMBERS ARE VIP GUESTS AT NAMPO The main difference is probably the size. The first Nampo Harvest…

CedarVest introduced the first Combilift Combi-RT to South Africa in 2014, and remains one of the country’s leading suppliers of this renowned brand. Combilift is amongst the world’s largest manufacturers of multi-directional forklifts. The Combi-RT is designed specifically for live poultry hauling, where 18-hour days are often called for. Positive customer feedback has highlighted the quality, robustness and ease of use of the Combi-RT. The tough, proven Kubota engine, coupled with Poclain hydrostatic motors, makes the Combi-RT one of the most reliable forklifts on the market. Generous 300mm ground clearance avoids unnecessary litter disturbance, and a quiet transmission and refined controls offer a smoother, stress-free ride. VERSATILE Although aimed at poultry operations, the Combi-RT is equally capable at general-purpose lifting and handling, making it ideal for a wide range of…

At the recent Royal Bathurst Agricultural Show, I was amongst a large crowd who attended the annual prize-giving held by the Pineapple Growers’ Association (PGA). Held in the impressive PGA pavilion, it was a highly professional event, with striking displays of cayenne pineapples and ample refreshments. It was put on by a small group of about 26 growers, most of them in the Bathurst area, with others located closer to Makhanda (Grahamstown). These farmers clearly punch above their weight. RECOGNISING PACKAGING One award struck a warm note with me: the Fine Bros trophy for the best local market packaging and pineapples. First awarded back in 1958, it would have been the brainchild of my late friend, the highly esteemed market agent Mitch Fine. It was certainly in accordance with his…

To make this moussaka for six diners, you will need: FOR THE BRINJALS: 800g minced lamb 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 large brinjals 2 onions 400g tomatoes 2 tablespoons tomato concentrate 2 level tablespoons of brown sugar 3 cloves of garlic 1 whole stick of cinnamon 2 bay leaves 2 teaspoons of dried oregano 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley 125ml beef stock 125ml dry red wine Breadcrumbs on demand FOR THE WHITE SAUCE: 500ml milk 4 tablespoons of butter 4 tablespoons of cake flour 2 eggs Quarter teaspoon of freshly ground nutmeg Salt and pepper to taste 1 Preheat the oven to 240°C, then cut the brinjals into 5mm-thick slices. Place these, slightly overlapping, in a large colander or even two colanders. Sprinkle with salt and leave the…

Available as a free download from Google Play, Ultimate Mammals Africa is an extremely comprehensive app with excellent content that allows users to search for animals using the following criteria: • Species list Animals are listed under families, for example, ‘Hyraxes’, which includes the dassie and others. • Dung key There are four categories to choose from: ‘elongated’, ‘rounded’, ‘shapeless’ and ‘pellets’. The relevant animals are listed under each category. • Tracks key Categories in this section include ‘rounded toes’, ‘tracks with claw marks’, and ‘cloven hooves’, amongst others. • Silhouette Four categories are provided: ‘small’ (for example, mongoose), ‘medium’ (baboon and jackal), ‘large’ (antelope), and ‘very large’ (rhino and elephant). • Distribution matrix A map of Southern Africa is divided into 46 areas, with charts depicting the various vegetation in each area (grassveld, bushveld…

Eastern Cape Alexandria • Sandkloof (224ha) sold by Vorster Terblanche to Tunilox for R7,2 million. Bedford • Julys Kloof (633ha) sold by Louw de Beer to Ilode Properties for R5 million. East London • Farm 870 (162ha) sold by Louis Deetlefs to Mlungisi Mpiyakhe for R980 000. Somerset East • Three farms, including Waterval (totalling 1 489ha), sold by Danie du Plessis Trust to Bogrootrietvlei for R19,5 million. Uitenhage • Brakkefontein (10ha) sold by Tomas Garcia to Boudine Steenkamp for R650 000. Free State Bethlehem • Utopia C (9ha portion) sold by Zelma Botha to Granu Trading for R1,6 million. • Five farms, including Tweefontein (totalling 1 528ha), sold by Gemini Trust to Jan Kraai Trust for R33 million. Boshof • Selborne (538ha) sold by Maria Serfontein to Goosenboerdery for…

“Agriculture remains the main economic sector in low-income countries, especially in rural areas, despite the number of jobs it supports falling as economies develop. In 2017, agriculture accounted for 68% of employment in low-income economies. Improving agricultural incomes is therefore an effective way of reducing poverty. However, the combined forces of automation and open trade work against agricultural employment in developing countries. Meanwhile, capital-intensive agriculture in advanced economies may be reducing the demand for imports from developing economies. The result is faster urbanisation in Africa and South Asia, where the challenges of people moving to cities are proliferating. NARROWING THE URBAN-RURAL GAP On the one hand, earnings could rise: in emerging economies an additional year of city work experience is worth a 2,2% increase in pay. The returns from work…

Now that the general election is almost upon us, let’s have a look at what some of the parties promised during their campaigning and, of course, whether it is likely that they are going to keep those promises. First the ANC. President Cyril Ramaphosa has been on a mission to assure voters that ANC members who have been implicated in state capture will be dealt with. He has on many occasions said he will ensure that South Africa never again has to witness corruption by legislators who continue to go unpunished. AFTER THE ELECTION, WE HAVE IN REALITY ENTERED THE ERA OF COALITION POLITICS This is one of those very big election promises. It should be remembered, however, that there has not been any action thus far on the revelations…

Developing mutually beneficial relationships with countries from which South Africa imports poultry products, instead of trying to “shut them out” with increased trade tariffs, could help the country learn how to grow the local poultry sector. This was according to Nontwenhle Mchunu, the founder and director of the Mkabayi Group. She was speaking at a recent media briefing in Johannesburg, hosted by the South African National Consumer Union and the Emerging Black Importers and Exporters South Africa. The briefing was held to express these two groups’ opposition to the South African Poultry Association’s (SAPA) application to the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa for import tariffs on chicken to be increased to 82%. The union and the association warned that raising import tariffs to 82% could result in local…

The first rice cultivation model using new ‘smart’ technology has been piloted in Hau Giang province in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee, Le Tien Chau, said the model had been initiated to encourage local households to participate in sustainable farming. The project, which uses organic production methods, covers 12ha, and the members of 12 local households are participating. According to Chau, this new method could cut the volume of water used for production by 30%, labour and seedling costs by over 50%, and fertiliser and other greenhouse gas levels by more than 40%. These savings could result in a 20% boost in profits when compared with normal cultivation methods. This was Vietnam’s first step in moving towards organic agriculture and away from chemical agriculture,…

South Africa has been ranked 45th out of 113 countries on The Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s Global Food Security Index (GFSI) for 2018, which was released recently, with the country achieving an average score of 65,5 out of a possible 100. This was according to Prof Sheryl Hendriks, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development at the University of Pretoria, who was speaking at Agri SA’s Corporate and Commodity Conference in Pretoria recently. Hendriks said that the index ranked countries retrospectively in several categories, and had 28 unique indicators for evaluating their food security. “The three core components that are covered are affordability, availability, and quality and safety,” she said. These three were weighted in the overall score of a country. Affordability counted for 40%, availability was…

Value-added tax (VAT) is an indirect tax, because it is paid on behalf of the consumer by the business. It is a ‘regressive’ tax, because rich and poor alike are affected by it. VAT is easy to understand. Anyone not registered for VAT pays the VAT indirectly and automatically when he or she makes a purchase. If the seller is a VAT-registered business, VAT is added to the sales. The total VAT on items sold is ‘output’ VAT, while the total VAT on items bought is ‘input’ VAT. The input VAT is subtracted from the output VAT and the remainder is paid to SARS. INCOME TAX Income tax is levied directly on companies, co-operatives, trusts and individuals. Income tax is more complex than VAT, because government uses it as a…

Dr Elsie Campher’s father, Jannie Campher (93), is one of the founding fathers of the Brangus breed in South Africa. She is committed to continuing his hard work by reviving the stud, which was founded in the 1960s, but lapsed in 2003. Her objective is to breed cattle according to his breeding values, which include ongoing selection for fertility, efficiency and adaptability, as well as the use of veld-tested bulls that are officially branded and certified by the Veld Bull-Ram Organisation of Southern Africa (VBRSA). Campher, who obtained her PhD in organisational development, re-established the stud herd in 2015. The Helpmekaar Stud is run on a 2 200ha farm in Harrismith, near Kerkenberg, in the Free State. OUTSTANDING GENETICS Campher describes the Brangus cow as the ninth wonder of the…

Agricultural tyres have to cope with extreme conditions and are expensive, so it pays to seek out quality, says Lungisa Xhelithole, Firestone brand manager at Bridgestone South Africa. “If the best materials aren’t used, and the manufacturing process isn’t gold-plated, you’ll have problems,” she says. Firestone has now extended its five-year warranty on manufacturing defects to nine years on selected tyres made in the US and bought from 14 May 2018. Tyres must have been fitted by original equipment manufacturers on vehicles sold in South Africa, eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia and Botswana. They must also be registered via the Firestone website (see firestone.co.za/nine-yearagricutural-tyre-warranty). Claims must be made at an authorised Bridgestone dealer, and the remaining tread depth measurement will be used to calculate compensation. CORRECT USAGE Because the warranty covers…

A good moussaka such as this is a contradiction of intensities. It has the full-flavored lamb mince, the richness of the sauce, the creamy subtlety of the nutmegged béchamel, and the mild flavour and slightly oily texture of the brinjal (or earthiness of the potato if you are anti-eggplant). In a previous life, I had a few moussakas in Cyprus and paired them with a local wine made from a native red grape, Mavro. For the pairing on this page, I started the line-up with our own local variety, Pinotage, using the Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage in the dish. It went very well in the glass too. It’s a young, fruity, unwooded red, soft with red berries, that worked particularly well with the meaty part of the dish. I wondered…

Derived from the Greek word thureos, meaning shield, the thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the windpipe. It helps keep the metabolism under control through the action of thyroid hormones, which it makes by extracting iodine from the blood and incorporating it into thyroid hormones. The pituitary gland and hypothalamus both control the thyroid. When thyroid hormone levels drop too low, the hypothalamus secretes thyroid-releasing hormone, which alerts the pituitary to produce thyroid-stimulating hormone. The thyroid responds to this chain of events by producing and releasing more hormones, mostly tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). A normally functioning thyroid produces approximately 80% T4 and 20% T3, although T3 is the stronger of the pair. To a lesser extent, the thyroid also produces calcitonin, which helps control blood calcium…

Since our son and daughter have arrived on the farm, we’ve caught up with their lives in the Emerald Isles, and how wet and cold their winter has been. So we’re hoping for a mild autumn for them to enjoy during their stay with us. The general elections are imminent, thank goodness. We won’t have to endure for much longer the incessant media coverage on pre-election speeches and competing party promises of reform and positive change. Will the ANC’s majority have decreased, as the pundits forecast? Will the DA have gained more support, as they hope? Will the EFF have more rebels in Parliament to annoy everyone? And how will the also-ran parties fare? Election post-mortems are likely to ensue for weeks. It’ll make a welcome change from the UK’s…

3 TO 7 JUNE Hortgro Symposium THIS SYMPOSIUM COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, FROM POME FRUIT AND GENERAL CROP PRODUCTION, TO CROP PROTECTION AND POST-HARVEST INFORMATION. THOSE IN THE CROP-PRODUCING INDUSTRY WILL FIND THIS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EXPOS 14 TO 16 MAY Power Gen Africa, Cape Town International Convention Centre.Visit powergenafrica.com. 21 TO 23 MAY Southern African Manufacturing Expo, Nasrec, Johannesburg. Visit localmanufacturingexpo.co.za 29 TO 30 MAY Agripreneurs Conference, Emperors Palace, Kempton Park.Visit agripreneurs-conference.com. 6 TO 7 JUNE Hortgro Technical Symposium, The Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West. Email Thea van Zyl at thea@hortgro.co.za. 6 TO 9 JUNE Cannabis Expo, Sibaya, Durban.Visit thecannabisexpo.co.za, or email info@thecannabisexpo.co.za. 10 JULY Agribusiness Africa Conference, Premier Hotel OR Tambo, Kempton Park. Email Marianna du Plessis at africa@caxton.co.za. COURSES & TRAINING…

It would be difficult for the South African government to implement a cap on fuel prices, which have reached unprecedented levels over the past 12 months. This was according to Corné Louw, senior economist at Grain SA, who was reacting to reports that an investigation by the Department of Energy (DoE) into the feasibility of capping fuel prices was well under way. DoE spokesperson Johannes Mokobane said that public consultations on the possible fuel prices cap had been completed on 28 March, and the department was now holding internal consultations. “The outcome of the review will inform the department on the way forward. On the other side, government is considering delinking the Road Accident Fund from the fuel price, [in accordance with] the new Road Accident Fund Act that is…

Heavy rain showers that fell over the Easter weekend brought welcome relief to many parts of the drought-stricken Karoo. According to Cobus Erasmus, a farmer near Merweville, a total of 61mm fell on his farm, the heaviest rainfall he had seen in four years. “The rain brought much relief for extensive sheep farmers. Finally, we’ll be able to produce fodder for our livestock,” he said. Erasmus added that the rain that fell in the Upper Karoo area would see farmers through the winter. He said that although they were accustomed to droughts in the Karoo, the current drought had been unprecedented. “It breaks you, especially if you rely on drought relief to try and keep the little livestock you have left alive.” Jeanne Boshoff, Agri Western Cape spokesperson, said that…

CANADA A Canadian company has recalled its brand of raw pea shoots from retailers in Alberta and British Columbia due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall was triggered by test results from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which is now conducting a food safety investigation that could lead to the recall of other products. No illnesses associated with the consumption of the products have yet been reported. CZECH REPUBLIC Prices of some vegetables, especially potatoes, in the Czech Republic have been increasing dramatically due to a significant drop in production, a new report from the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has revealed. According to the report, consumers are paying over 67% more for potatoes, and almost 25% more for vegetables. Potatoes are a staple foodstuff in the…

The divisions that have emerged among members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 10-member Expert Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture have been met with mixed reactions from other key role players in the sector. The panel, comprising non-government representatives, was appointed by Ramaphosa to analyse current land reform policy and processes, as well as the proposed expropriation without compensation policy, and to provide recommendations. Chris van Zyl, TAU SA’s assistant general manager, said his association had previously publicly stated that it did not believe the panel to be representative of all stakeholders in land reform and agriculture. Therefore, TAU SA did not believe that any recommendations and decisions in the land panel’s final report could be regarded as binding. “The mere difference of opinion among members of the panel clearly…

TUESDAY, 14 MAY Session 1: 10h00 to 11h30: ‘Public-private partnerships towards sustainable economic growth’ Session 2: 14h30 to 16h00: ‘Post-election political perspectives’ WEDNESDAY, 15 MAY Session 1: 10h00 to 11h30: ‘Supporting and funding a developing agriculture industry’ Session 2: 12h00 to 13h30: ‘Technology and funding’ Session 3: 14h30 to 16h00: ‘The role of communal land in agricultural development’ THURSDAY, 16 MAY Session 1: 10h00 to 11h30: ‘Reviving the platteland’ Session 2: 14h30 to 16h00: ‘Water – a critical commodity’ FRIDAY, 17 MAY Session 1: 10h00 to 11h30: ‘A glance into the future – opportunities in agriculture’…

Sheep and goat farmers sometimes neglect to inspect their animals’ hooves. This is a serious mistake. An animal with overgrown hooves, where finger-like protrusions occur, can develop arthritis or even end up with damaged tendons. Elongated hooves can also cause great pain, with the result that the sheep or goat may be unwilling to walk far to seek food. This, in turn, can affect its nutritional status and even compromise its immune system, leading to opportunistic infections. A health problem should always be treated, even if it does not seem serious; if neglected, it can result in more serious and costly consequences. OVERGROWN HOOVES Sheep and goats develop elongated hooves due to factors such as breed type, type of nutrition consumed, environmental conditions and living conditions. It is believed that…

This year, Nampo Harvest Day celebrates its 50th anniversary at Nampo Park, just north of Bothaville, from 14 to 17 May. The growing importance of Nampo to the agricultural machinery industry in general is underscored by manufacturers such as Desmond Equipment exhibiting its locally built sugar cane and forestry equipment, together with its Dezzi transport tractors. John Deere has also confirmed its confidence in the value of Nampo by investing close to R3 million on its show building, as well as erecting a dedicated merchandise store adjacent to the stand. A self-propelled orchard sprayer from Jupidex, new loaders from Finnish manufacturer Avant Tecno, precision farming technology from Case IH, the latest Nico Brits vegetable seed planters and new balers from Maschio Gaspardo are among the offerings certain to attract the…

Continuous logging of soil moisture prevents over- and under-watering, promotes root development and improves fertiliser uptake. DFM Software’s continuous-logging soil moisture probes measure moisture content and temperature at up to six depths as well as surface temperature. Readings are taken at hourly intervals, but this can be customised. The company’s automated irrigation control system caters for any size of irrigation scheme. Multiple irrigation systems can be set up, and as many as seven fertigation systems managed. The simple graphical interface makes it easy to check the current irrigation status on any pump and valve. PAYROLL SYSTEM The Farmpro payroll system, a complete wage and salary solution, enables you to manage your payroll and staff-related records with ease. You can create and control multiple payroll systems/companies on one screen and enter…

To make this carrot cake loaf, you will need: FOR THE LOAF: 3 extra-large eggs 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 250ml sunflower oil 260g cup cake flour, sifted 80ml desiccated coconut 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp salt 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger 250ml carrot, finely grated 250ml banana, mashed 100g walnuts, chopped 100g dried dates, finely chopped and soaked in boiling water FOR THE LEMON CREAM CHEESE ICING: 150g soft butter 230g cream cheese at room temperature 500ml icing sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence The zest of one lemon 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease and line two standard loaf tins with baking paper. Place the eggs and sugar in the bowl of…

Dear Nele, Thank you for the layout and elevations you sent for your proposed new home in KwaZulu-Natal. I’ve relocated the rooms to be more functional, as the accommodation layout was rather a mixed bag. I’ve repositioned the kitchen and bathrooms for plumbing purposes and their proximity to the bedrooms. While the rooms are a tight squeeze, especially the living area, the fifth bedroom can become the dining room if required. The colour of the walls and the concrete roof tiles, as well as the style of the garage door, are entirely up to you. Let’s get together and compare further ideas and options. Kind regards, Jonno Jonno Smith is a registered architect. He can be contacted at Hillbilly Homes: tel 036 352 3178, fax 088 036 352 3178, cell…

THE ESSENTIAL FINANCE HANDBOOK FOR ENTREPRENEURS by Precious Mvulane (GAD, R300) Congratulations to Mvulane, who has achieved that rare enough feat: a second edition of her book. She has now incorporated more of her own experience as a fledgling entrepreneur, and feedback from participants at her financial literacy and entrepreneurial workshops. This makes the book something of a combination of self-help and road map for those starting their own business. The Essential Finance Handbook for Entrepreneurs is both inspirational and practical, including more than 240 best-practice strategies and exercises, as well as online access to approximately 50 templates, tools, checklists and action plans. Governments around the world see small and medium enterprises as the bedrock of an economy that grows and creates new jobs. Mvulane is both a…