Agri Eastern Cape

16/10/2026

AgriSA Centre of Excellence Elections

We are proud to announce that four of our Directors have been elected to leadership positions within the AgriSA Centres of Excellence (COEs).

- Peter Cloete, Agri EC President, has been elected as Chairman of the AgriSA Provincial Chamber.

- Eben du Plessis, Agri EC Deputy President, has been elected as Vice-Chairman of the Land and Agricultural Development COE.

- Johan Wege, Agri EC Director, has been elected as Chairman of the Labour COE.

- Coert Jordaan, Agri EC Director, has been elected as an Additional Member of the Rural Safety COE.

Congratulations to all four on these well-deserved appointments!
You make Agri EC extremely proud, and we wish you every success in your respective leadership roles for the term ahead.

15/10/2026

Agri Eastern Cape attends the AgriSA Congress 2026 : The Path is Clear.

Under the theme "The Path is Clear" AgriSA highlights that a farmer can farm alone, but agriculture cannot be built alone. Minister Willie Aucamp called for greater unity across the agricultural sector. He also stressed the need for rural crimes, farm murders and attacks to be designated as priority crimes and highlighted the importance of protecting farmers, farm workers and rural communities.

During the Congress, Agri EC Deputy President and COE Vice Chair of Land & Agricultural Development, Eben du Plessis, and Agri EC Director and COE Chairman of Labour, Johan Wege, presented their respective reports, outlining the mandates and plans for their Centres for the year ahead.

08/10/2026

Agri EC President, Peter Cloete and CEO, Brent McNamara, are in Stutterheim with Tshilidzi Matshidzula at Redlands farm, which he owns and has developed with financial support under the Landbank Blended Finance Scheme.

Tshilidzi has been an Agri EC member, since he started his dairy journey in Alexandria with Walter Biggs. Tshilidzi still has a share in the Alexandria operation, which continues to grow from strength to strength.

Redlands has just hosted a Presidential visit by President Ramaphosa, who is accompanied by Minister Nyhontso, MEC's Pieters, Mvoko and Kontsiwe.

Department Officials also in attendance are DG Ramasodi and Dayamani supported by numerous HOD's and Chief Directors.

This has provided Agri EC with an opportunity, not only to celebrate Tshilidzi's achievement, but also to network with the elected leadership and senior officials on broader Agricultural issues, such as infrastructure decline and other factors affecting production sustainability.

Thank you to ISUZU South Africa for allowing Agri EC to travel to these types of events.

30/09/2026

Agri Eastern Cape extends our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Dr Zoleka Ntondini of the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture and Veterinary Services.

Dr Ntondini worked exceptionally well with Agri Eastern Cape, and we will remember her for her professionalism, dedication, willingness to engage and unwavering commitment to her responsibilities.

She was particularly pivotal during the 2024–2025 Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Humansdorp, where her dedication, expertise and commitment were greatly valued. Her work also contributed significantly to the response to Swine Flu, Avian Influenza and other animal disease outbreaks across the Eastern Cape.

Agri Eastern Cape extends our deepest condolences to Dr Ntondini’s family, colleagues, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

May her soul rest peacefully.

21/09/2026

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18/09/2026

Minister of Agriculture visits the Eastern Cape

Dian Landman, Chairperson of the Agri Tsitsikamma Oos Farmers Association, delivers the opening address during a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, affected farmers, Municipal & EC DoA officials as well as organised agriculture organisations, including Agri EC.

Minister Aucamp will be assessing the flood & storm damage in the area and listen to concerns and challenges affected farmers are experiencing, to determine how the Government can assist.

A second engagement was held in Patensie where the Minister was addressed by Gamtoos Farmers Association Chairperson, Grewar Oosthuizen and Agri EC CEO, Brent McNamara on a number of issues such as roads and delays in the 30A environmental authorizations.

11/09/2026

Congratulations to the Upper Cathcart Farmers Association on reaching an incredible 150-year milestone!

What a remarkable achievement and a testament to generations of farmers, families and community members who have contributed to the Association’s rich history.

Here’s to celebrating the past, recognising the present and looking forward to a strong and prosperous future.

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

Agri EC, together with representatives from the Gamtoos Water Users Association, the Langkloof Farmers Association, and other key role players, are attending an engagement in Joubertina this morning to bring several water-related issues to the attention of the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dr Jack Bloom.

These issues include water supply, pollution caused by dysfunctional sewage treatment works, and the failure to complete the water-use verification and validation process.