AGRICULTURE GETS ITS OWN VOICE

24 August 2021

Press release

For immediate release

The sharing of information and communication with members, clients and role players determines how successfully objectives can be achieved and, ultimately, how sustainable any institution is. All organisations, companies, and individuals can convey their message more effectively in their own voice. Access to the full spectrum of media platforms, with information that is well formulated and professionally presented, is also important if that voice is to be heard.

Agriculture, like other sectors of the economy, needs a media space in which its message can be put across. This was sufficient incentive for Agri Gauteng to create a vehicle, namely Agri Voice, to realise this objective.

Agri Voice is a non-profit company and is run by a board of directors consisting of Dr Willem Pretorius as chairman (currently the president of Agri Gauteng), Thina Nodada (an import and export specialist and owner of Waymaker Solutions), GP van Rheede van Oudtshoorn (a communication specialist, currently attached to NWU) and from now onwards also a representative of the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO). Any membership-based agricultural organisation can apply to become a member and, thereby, become part of a diverse voice for agriculture.

“Agri Voice will not only serve South African agriculture through the media, but will also build networks and facilitate liaison on a broader basis in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).” – Dr Willem Pretorius

The first step in making this dream a reality was taken by Agri Gauteng when it contributed Agri TV, an online channel service, to Agri Voice. The timing of the acquisition of Agri Connect could not have been better and has provided momentum, along with the MPO, which has also become a member and has thrown a penny into the purse.

“Future success depends on one’s ability to get involved with technology.” – GP van Rheede van Oudtshoorn

Agri Voice and Agri Connect are managed by Albert Loubser as managing director. Loubser is no stranger to agricultural media and is supported by a competent and experienced staff. The transaction involves the takeover of Agri Connect as a going concern and presents a wonderful opportunity for growth in media evolution. Furthermore, it has been possible to accommodate all staff members of both Agri Connect and Agri TV in the new structure.

“If you do the right thing, the right things happen.” – Albert Loubser

Agri Connect is a company which, in the past 26 years, has produced The Dairy Mail (the mouthpiece of the MPO), Red Meat (the mouthpiece of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, the RPO), Wool Farmer (the mouthpiece of the National Wool Growers’ Association, the NWGA) and Cotton SA (the mouthpiece of Cotton SA). Agri Connect has ensured that these industry magazines have been reliable and authoritative communication partners in the media space.

The Alfa Livestock Expo has also become part of Agri Connect’s media offering. This adds an expo dimension to the collective voice of agriculture. A few exciting new initiatives are envisaged to extend the mandate given by Agri Voice’s board of directors.

“Future success means having a global perspective on your enterprise.” – Thina Nodada

Agriculturists and agricultural organisations that are part of Agri Voice will, thereby, have access to the full spectrum of media platforms to put the agricultural message across.

“Time has the greatest value when we invest that time in thinking about what we’re doing.” – Albert Loubser

Any queries can be directed to Albert Loubser at albertloubser@outlook.com.