Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve
3 April 2009
Programme director
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning
We are once again gathered here to participate in one of the highlights of
the calendar of events in this province. Surely it feels good and it makes
perfect sense to be part of arguably the biggest, the oldest and the best Game
Auction in this country. Since its inception, about 23 years ago, this auction
has been able to attract not only South African buyers but international buyers
as well.
Of importance to us however is the extent to which this important activity
contributes to the general wellbeing of the inhabitants of this province. We
have to evaluate how this important economic activity assist us in dealing with
the central and most pressing challenges our country faces, which are
unemployment, poverty and inequality.
We have identified the game industry as one of the key economic drivers to
help stimulate the economy of the province. Handled and managed with care, this
industry has a huge potential and should be treated as such. We can not and
should not miss the opportunity or even more, the responsibility of ensuring
that what ever the outcome or objective with this activity is influenced by a
national need to create a mixed economy where the state, private capital,
cooperative and other forms of social ownership complement each other in an
integrated way to eliminate poverty and foster shared economic growth.
Our objective is to create a thriving and integrated economy which draws on
the creativity and skills that our whole population can offer. This we believe
will bring us closer to realising true economic progress of the poor and the
changing of economic landscape in this country.
At present the Free State has game population of 26706 which include among
others, black wildebeest, blesbuck, buffalo and burchellâs zebra. This
biological stock is valued at around R30 million. This is the state asset which
should be leveraged to the best interest of the inhabitants of this province.
We have to double our efforts towards our objective of establishing black game
farmers. As part of departmentâs initiative to transform game industry,
emphasis is put on those previously disadvantaged individuals. We call upon
established game farmers to take up a patriotic challenge of helping in
establishing black farmers and mentoring them. To date, three black-owned game
farms have been established in Smithfield, Tweespruit and Paul Roux.
This government undertakes to invest in this project not only by donating
game but also by ensuring that funds a made available for this capital
intensive industry. We know that the acquisition of land is a major stumbling
block which we are prepared to eliminate. Your challenge therefore goes far
beyond just bidding for the best game but also covers your responsibility as a
citizen of this country to help fellow country men towards economic
prosperity.
In our 2007 budget vote we proclaimed that in addition to the current game
donation programmes, the department was developing a policy which will guide
the loan of valuable species of game, such as buffalo, to newly established
black farmers. This loan scheme is further aimed at providing emerging game
farmers with the means by which they can obtain valuable and costly game
species which would otherwise be out of reach.
We are presenting this opportunity to those interested in venturing in this
industry to present compelling cases that would convince the department that
they deservedly so, have to be considered for assistance to venture in this
industry.
We know as well as you know that the industry has the highest yield in
profits. The four year old white rhino sold for R255 000 as well as the buffalo
sold for R120 000 in the last auction is evidence that the investor confidence
in this industry is high and will guarantee high returns. Of course our game
fetches such good prices because our nature conservation and breeding
programmes are among the most respected around the country.
Apart from revenue collection the auction also contributes to job creation.
No less than 24 people have been employed during the run-up towards this
auction. As you might have noticed, a number of SMMEs are also provided with a
unique opportunity to showcase their wares for cash sales or placement of
orders. Please support them.
We are also grateful that this auction is also used by many as a chance to
spend time with their families as they come as spectators and buyers. It is
also one of tourism and economic spin-offs of the province and it is indeed our
belief that most of attendees present here will revisit Willem Pretorius for
vacation purposes.
To those who would be participating in the marathon and mountain bike race
tomorrow, we appreciate your contribution to the success of this event and hope
that you will find the delight of your lives and derive some self fulfilment in
realising how your help will better the lives of others who may not necessarily
have the privilege to help themselves.
As we are getting ready to host the epic 2009 Confederations Cup as well as
the 2010 FIFA World Cup, letâs make the most of the greatest opportunities
envisaged to be brought by these two spectacular events and make sure that we
warmly welcome the visitors to our shores.
Ladies and gentlemen, since the new dawn of democracy, our country has
realised so much that should really make us proud of being part of its history.
To make sure that our country continues to prosper, we would like to appeal to
all compatriots to exercise their democratic right to vote as this, will
definitely contribute towards a presumably blissful future for all South
Africans. So letâs all brace ourselves for the 22 April and cast our votes for
parties of our choice.
To buyers, distinguished guests, spectators, SMMEâs, ladies and gentlemen,
on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs as
well as the Free State provincial government, let me take this opportunity to
declare the auction officially open and once again welcome all our guests to
this prestigious auction projected to be remarkable as ever.
Thank you!
Issued by: Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs, Free
State Provincial Government
3 April 2009
Source: Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs, Free State
Provincial Government (http://www.dteea.fs.gov.za)
