By Colleen Dardagan
The annual “one-stop-shop” AmberMacs Industry Day held in February was a cracking success. More than 3 000 people visited the two-day event and 145 industry suppliers and services exhibited – 80% of the exhibitors were at the show for the first time. Also, for the first time, the organisers hosted a networking breakfast attended by delegates from all spheres of the agriculture sector.
AmberMacs’ Andri van den Bergh said the event was an opportunity for industry role players and farmers to share ideas and exchange information. “Although the focus is mainly on macadamia production, this is a one-stop shop for any farmer in South Africa,” she said.
Guest speaker and economist Dawie Roodt told those attending that while South Africa’s government had made good progress in putting the country on an improved trajectory, there was still much to be done.
Doing away with legislation such as Expropriation without Compensation, the proposed National Health Insurance plan and Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment, Roodt said, could increase GDP from the paltry 1.1% predicted for this year to at least 6% annually.
The sixth annual Amber Macs Industry Day is scheduled for February 4 and 5, 2027.
