Latest news with #UniversityofStellenbosch
Otago Daily Times
5 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Young grower relishing NZ opportunities
A year of backpacking led South African man Steven Rink to finding a new home managing vegetable growing in Canterbury. Tim Cronshaw reports. After graduating with a degree in conservation and ecology from the University of Stellenbosch, Steven Rink headed off to New Zealand in 2019. The born and raised Capetonian from South Africa visited the sights of the country, then ended up helping out at a wholesale nursery operation in Tauranga, overseeing the propagation and irrigation departments. Initially the plan was to spend 11 months on the road — until he got stuck in lockdown when Covid-19 arrived in 2020. When this was lifted his travels took him on another adventure to the Marlborough Sounds. "While travelling I met a friend who was working at Lochmara Lodge and I ended up working a summer out there doing odd jobs, living and working there and doing the backpacking thing. At that stage I was going back to South Africa for my brother's wedding and wasn't sure whether I would be coming back to New Zealand." Unsure of his next move, he opted to gain more work experience, and applied for a job at Oakley's Premium Fresh Vegetables, a family business growing and packing fresh vegetables at Canterbury's Southbridge, "I was in the middle of Marlborough Sounds on a jetty hoping I didn't catch a fish when they called back to tell me I got the job. I took a punt and really loved it and four years later I'm still here and fully invested." His wider family has a close connection with farming, with his grandparents and uncles still on farms in Zimbabwe when his parents headed for Cape Town. "Throughout my childhood we would go back there to visit my grandparents' farm and the uncles, and in the early 2000s when that all went horrible most of the uncles went to Australia and some went up to Zambia and one went to South Africa, and he had a big farm there. So every school holiday my mum would ship us there and we would spend the holidays on the farms. "So my greater family is very much a farming family, but I didn't grow up on a farm driving tractors. I know this sounds silly, but you can almost feel it in the blood and tend to pick things up and understand things a bit quicker than someone who doesn't have that background." Initially, Mr Rink, 30, was brought in as a production assistant at Oakley's, growing and tending vegetables such as broccoli, pumpkin and beetroot. The business is known for its potatoes, with its own Golden Gourmet brand, and also grows rotational cover crops, and he immersed himself in the new learning experience. Mr Rink said he was lucky to work under manager Lucas Rossi. "He invested a lot of time and energy in training me and had ridiculous amounts of patience and really allowed me to grow and learn and get that experience. I worked at Oakley's for three months and went back to South Africa for my brother's wedding and that's when we went into that second lockdown and I ended up having four months back in South Africa waiting for them to lift the bubble. "A huge factor coming back was that opportunity, as I've never worked for a company that invested so much in their staff in training. That ability to grow at Oakley's is why I'm still there. It's a really great company with a great culture." Vegetable growing's multi-faceted nature — with no day the same as the next — and the many challenges it invariably throws up appealed to him. "You might have done something one way for 10 times, and at the 11th time have to do something completely different, and need to be able to adapt and change and improvise and overcome. No two challenges are ever the same." Last year he was elevated in the business to become the production manager. Over winter a typical day might see him behind the laptop planning crop rotations, carrying out maintenance in the workshop and gearing up for the season. When spring comes along his team of six staff are hard at work planting and cultivating to get crops in the ground. Entering early summer is a maintenance phase to make sure crops have enough moisture and fertiliser, and the spraying programme is on schedule. Then through March and April harvesting goes "24/7" as much as the season allows. A previously wet season was tricky, but the seasonal changes are part and parcel of growing. "I think a lot of people don't see and appreciate what goes on during the spring and summer months. Sometimes they might only see the winter work which is quiet with shorter days, but then in summer they forget you are up before the sun and working long after it's down. It changes a fair bit and my role has also changed." Working more in the office comes with the territory now, and his team does much of the grunt work, but he never asks them to do a job he has not done himself — from hand-picking broccoli to every other task. The day before winning the Canterbury Young Grower regional competition, he was working on a potato grader. "I'm probably happiest in the tractor to be honest, as I can crack on and do a job rather than moving all the pieces. "I think every farmer will tell you that they would pick a tractor seat over an office seat any day of the week." Aside from the career opportunities, a Kiwi partner is another reason keeping him in New Zealand. Then there is the allure of living in the South Island and going from work to a skifield on a winter weekend or hiking in the summer. At first glance it might appear vegetable growing has taken him away from his university qualifications, but he sees this differently. The degree was largely focused on sustainability and looking after the environment with part of it conserving species in the wild. "But we could pick and choose our majors and I majored in soil science because I always knew I wanted to be growing things whether in a nursery or in propagation, farming or in an orchard. "I didn't want to do straight agronomy and commercial farming and, yes, that's what I am doing now, but I also love that [Oakley's owner] Robin Oakley is very open to new initiatives and doing things better in sustainability. "So we use a lot of tech for our soil moisture and do heaps of soil testing and leaf testing to make sure we are doing the best for our crop as a business, but also for the environment in terms of leaching and excess fertiliser. "We are a company that is sustainably focused and that's what gives me that kick from the conservation and ecology side that we do a lot of work to get our soils and microbes right." As the Canterbury Young Grower titleholder, Mr Rink will contest the national competition against six other regional winners in Christchurch in September. That will arrive "slap-bang" in the planting season, so he is about to start his homework for the final, including knocking on the doors of industry people to get an insight into avocado, kiwifruit and other horticulture growing outside of his expertise. "I always say I'm definitely not the smartest in the room but I know who to ask to get that information. That's my key strength, on how to identify a problem and find out how to solve it." The Canterbury competition was the first to be held in the region for several years. 'The modules were a mixture of the basics that we all need to know and also stuff that really stretched us. I had thought it would be nerve racking but it turned out to be really enjoyable.' Runner up was Brooke Chambers, who is part of the operational team for Farm Right's orchard development in Canterbury. Beyond the immediate future of the competition, Mr Rink has mentally committed to giving his all to Oakley's for the next few years. When he first started as production manager it seemed overwhelming but he's grown into the job, wanting to continue learning all he can about vegetable growing. Where that would take him next, he was unsure, but working for himself one day was on the to-do list.
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The Citizen
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Cowboy coach! Inside Rassie Erasmus' 21st birthday bash for twins [Pics, Video]
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus shared his twins' 21st birthday celebration with the nation. Springbok coach and proud dad Rassie Erasmus celebrated the 21st birthday of his twin daughters – Nikki and Carli – on Tuesday. Pictures: Instagram/ rasrugby and andre-hugo_venter Legendary Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is celebrated for his tactical genius and leadership, guiding South Africa to Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023. The former star rugby player also embodies the balance between a high-profile career and a grounded family life. His love for his three daughters – twins Carli, Nikki and 13-year-old Jani – is evident in every post and interview, while his amicable co-parenting with ex-wife Nicolene showcases mutual respect. Rassie Erasmus: Twins' milestone 21st birthday bash As the twins stepped into adulthood with their 21st birthday this week, the cowgirl-themed celebration not only marked a milestone for Carli and Nikki, but also highlighted Rassie's enduring role as a devoted dad and national hero. Rassie shared a touching Instagram post, featuring a family photo with himself, his daughters and Nicolene, captioned simply, 'Happy 21st 👯♀️.' Fans flooded the comments section with warm wishes, praising Rassie's dedication as a father. One supporter wrote: 'Admiration for your Pride you have so much to celebrate 🥳 🎉 Rassie…God Bless you Rassie and your wonderful family…'. Sporty twins' achievements and deep bond with dad Rassie Carli and Nikki, students at the University of Stellenbosch, are not only known as Rassie's daughters but also as accomplished netball coaches. They lead teams at Stellenberg High School and the Pangolin Netball organisation, showcasing their inherited passion for sports. 'True hero' In a recent YOU Magazine interview, the twins expressed immense pride in their father, calling him a 'true hero' for his rugby achievements. Nikki humorously noted: 'Please let that man just remain head of rugby,' when fans suggested Rassie for president on social media, while Carli added, 'He's really achieved something no one else could'. Rassie Erasmus with his twin daughters, Carli and Nikki. Pictures: Instagram/ rasrugby and nikkieerasmus In 2022, the twins playfully thanked World Rugby for lifting a ban on their father, joking they were 'tired of having him at home'. This lighthearted banter underscores their close bond, with Rassie often sharing moments that remind him of his 'inseparable' twins on social media. ALSO READ: 'Lekker, Rassie': Springbok coach goes viral with 'Irish fans are a bit windgat' video Rugby royalty: Who is Rassie's twin daughter Nikki dating? Nikki's long-term relationship with Springbok Andre-Hugo Venter adds another rugby connection to the Erasmus family. According to Ruck, the Stormers player is the son of the legendary Springbok back-rower Andre Venter, who made his name in 66 Test matches for South Africa between 1996 and 2001. The hooker made his senior international debut against Portugal in 2024, following in the footsteps of his father, a man many consider one of South Africa's finest flankers. United family post-divorce Rassie and Nicolene, a former nurse, quietly got divorced in April 2024, after more than 20 years together. Rassie Erasmus celebrates with his then-wife Nicolene after the Rugby World Cup 2019 final between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Kanagawa, Japan. Picture:The divorce came as a shock to many, given the couple's private nature. However, despite their separation, their commitment to co-parenting has been praised by fans, who see their unity as a testament to their dedication to their children. NOW READ: Rassie names 37 players in Bok squad to take on Australia
The South African
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Rassie reunites with ex in another sweet family portrait
Rassie Erasmus and his family. Images via Instagram: @rasrugby Rassie Erasmus reunited with his ex-wife in a sweet post celebrating his twin daughters' 21st birthday. Carli and Nikki – the Springbok captain's lookalike daughters – celebrated their birthday in a themed bash over the weekend. Nikki – a University of Stellenbosch student and netball coach – is dating Springbok newbie Andre-Hugo Venter. RASSIE REUNITES WITH EX FOR FAMILY POST On his Instagram account, Rassie Erasmus posted a picture of his family at his twin daughters' birthday celebration. The Boks coach posed alongside his youngest daughter Jani, his ex-wife Nicolene, and his twins Carli and Nikki. The twins hosted a cow-girl themed birthday bash attended by friends and family. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Johan Erasmus (@rasrugby) Earlier this year, Rassie Erasmus and Nicolene reunited for what appeared to be a back-to-school pic. Like many divorced couples, they are also co-parenting amicably. Rassie often posts pics of his children, who are undoubtedly his pride and joy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Johan Erasmus (@rasrugby) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Johan Erasmus (@rasrugby) A year ago, leaked court documents revealed that Rassie Erasmus and the mother of his three children quietly divorced in April 2024. The couple wed in 2003 and kept their relationship out of the public eye. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Policy Uncertainty Index drops slightly while global and local uncertainty remain
When economic policy uncertainty is strongly present in the environment, it lowers investment, employment and output. The Policy Uncertainty Index for the second quarter has decreased slightly but remains deep in negative territory as the global outlook remains uncertain despite the US promising to reduce tariffs on goods imported from South Africa. According to the NWU Business School Policy Uncertainty Index (PUI) for the second quarter, policy uncertainty eased to 75.9 compared to its record high of 78.6 in the first quarter of the year. The Index was launched in early 2016 and is published annually in January, April, July, and October. An increase beyond 50 reflects heightened policy uncertainty, while a decline means reduced uncertainty. The Policy Uncertainty Index is expressed as a net balance, representing the net outcome of positive and negative factors that influence the calibration of policy uncertainty. The three elements constituting the latest Policy Uncertainty Index show: The media data reflected a modest decline in references to policy uncertainty The survey of economists almost universally assessed policy uncertainty to be more or less unchanged The University of Stellenbosch's Bureau for Economic Research survey of manufacturers experiencing policy/political uncertainty was slightly up from 77 to 80. ALSO READ: Policy Uncertainty Index drops sharply due to various local and global risks Partial respite on trade with suspension of US tariffs for Policy Uncertainty Index Professor Raymond Parsons, an economist at the NWU Business School, says that while the global outlook is highly uncertain, there has been a partial respite on the trade front, as the US administration has suspended most, but not all, tariff hikes until July 9, pending further negotiations. 'Internally, although there have been some positive developments, they were outweighed by negative factors.' Parsons says the global economic growth outlook was further trimmed by international organisations such as IMF and the OECD that reduced growth forecasts for most major economies, including the US economy, except for the EU economy, where modest growth is still anticipated 'The downward revision of various global economic growth outlooks therefore stems from a convergence of geopolitical risks, elevated economic uncertainty due to 'Trumpanomics' and erratic tariff decisions and a tangible repricing of risks in financial markets generally. 'These overall economic assessments were reinforced by the Israeli-Iran conflict, further increasing global economic uncertainty. (This Policy Uncertainty Index was finalised before the US attack on Iran).' Parsons also points out that the US Fed decided to leave interest rates unchanged for the fourth time in June, while the World Bank assesses that the Sub-Saharan economy will grow by 3.5% in 2025, rising to 4.3% in 2026-2027, but with the usual associated risks and uncertainties. ALSO READ: Policy Uncertainty Index falls, confirming uneven economic recovery Positive factors for South Africa: lower inflation and repo rate in Policy Uncertainty Index In the second half of 2025, positive factors in South Africa over the past quarter included lower inflation and easier interest rates, and if the inflation outlook continues to stabilise, there is the possibility of another modest cut in borrowing costs later in the year, Parsons says. 'There is also now the prospect that South Africa may be off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list by the end of 2025, which will mean that borrowing costs will be lowered for South Africa. 'At the policy level, the most important development in the second quarter, which is necessary to promote, was probably parliament's eventual finalisation and acceptance of a 'pragmatic' third 2025-26 Budget, but without the controversial VAT [value-added tax] increase. 'However, if the various key parameters in the Budget are not met, future risks to fiscal sustainability remain.' ALSO READ: Business Leadership CEO expresses worry about recent GNU tensions Negative factors to beware of in second half of 2025 in Policy Uncertainty Index Parsons also points out that negative factors offsetting the positive ones in the second quarter include: The muted high-frequency data in recent months The disappointing 0.1% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank are scaling down growth forecasts for 2025 and Higher unemployment. 'The weak fixed capital investment trends revealed in the GDP figures for the first quarter also raised a red flag, and heightened planned infrastructural spending must urgently respond. If present trends persist, the present GDP growth outlook for 2025 is about 1%, increasing to about 1.5% next year.' He warns that the developing economic recovery in South Africa is struggling to gain momentum and says the country needs a strategic pivot in growth policy to create the extra economic buffers required to deal with external shocks. 'The GNU's policy agenda for a 3% GDP growth target in the medium term therefore now urgently needs an impulse, a jolt, an acceleration, so that the tailwinds in the economy outweigh the headwinds in 2025 and beyond.' ALSO READ: Policy uncertainty in SA increased, but GNU could be positive influence Negative trends in Policy Uncertainty Index that can be reversed Parsons says that although the Policy Uncertainty Index for the second quarter remains well in negative territory for now, these trends proved to be reversible in the past if the right actions are taken through policies and actions under South Africa's control. 'In any event, the emerging economic recovery at present is battling to gain traction and therefore needs maximum support to underpin the business cycle upturn. A strategic pivot in investment and growth policies is also needed to create the extra economic buffers required to deal with emerging external shocks.'
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Military festival unites residents
Residents from far and wide attended the Pro Patria Museum Military Festival this past Saturday, attracting Pretoria residents and military enthusiasts alike. The event, aimed at celebrating military heritage and fostering community support, saw significant attendance, including representation from the South African Army. Among the stalls, one of the highlights was the one run by Regardt du Preez, who, along with his colleagues, prepared tea boiled on a gas stove in a metal kettle. The funds raised from tea sales went toward supporting the museum, which operates as a non-profit organisation. Lieutenant Colonel Camelia Grobler from the South African Army also joined the festival. Her presence marked an initiative to promote inclusivity within the military ranks. 'We want to recruit more white and Indian boys to the army,' she said. She added that the army is not what it is portrayed like the media. Grobler said one of the advantages of working in the army is that they help pay for your varsity fees. 'We pay for our struggling soldiers to study at the University of Stellenbosch to further their studies.' The festival offered a platform for engaging with military history while bringing together community members to support the museum. Visitors enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and took the opportunity to learn about the army's ongoing projects. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
