Case Study

Martin van Rooi
Production Manager at GawieSteynBoerdery, Kanoneiland

Kanoneiland (Cannon Island) is a large island in the Orange River approximately 20 kilometres downriver (west) from Upington. It has a fascinating history and travelling onto the island is also an interesting experience as the traveller crosses several bridges and canals between vineyards and fields of cotton.

It is here where Martin van Rooi is Production Manager at GawieSteynBoerdery. Martin arrived at the pack house in a pickup and a cloud of dust from an errand elsewhere on the property. He was friendly and engaging. “I am 35 years old and was born here on Kanoneiland. My parents were farm workers on a farm close to here. At that stage it was a mixed farm with some peaches and apricots but by then the cultivation of grapes had already started. I attended school here on Kanoneiland until halfway through Standard 7 (Grade 9) and then my home circumstances were such that my parents could no longer keep me in school. I decided that I would go to Cape Town to look for work but was unsuccessful and returned home within a few weeks. Once I was back here, I looked for a job pruning and was also not successful at that.

“I was sixteen at the time and had the idea that I would like to go to the army. Finally, I landed a job as a gardener here in Mr Steyn’s garden. I worked there for a few months and then Mr Steyn told me that he had a plan in mind for my future. He sent me on a supervisor course as well as an advanced supervisor course. Towards the end of the year, I was appointed as an assistant supervisor on the farm and held that post from 1993 until 2005. The farm produces table grapes, raisins and wine and at that stage had approximately 60ha under cultivation. In 2005 I was appointed as junior production manager and for the 2006 harvest we prepared the Thompson Seedless grapes that we usually harvested as raisins for table grape production. This was an interesting and very challenging experience as there was a great deal to learn about practices and standards for table grape production and we needed to learn this within one season. In 2006 I was appointed as the overall production manager on the property, as well as packhouse manager and this was a huge responsibility. I remember telling Mr Steyn at that time that I thought I was going to become prematurely grey! At this stage we farmed only on the alluvial soils here on the island. In 2006 Mr Steyn bought additional property, desert soils beyond the river’s flood plain and we have since planted a further 7ha on this new property.

“In the off season I’m responsible for around fifty people but during the harvest season, this number grows to approximately 100 people. My home language is Afrikaans and although I have learned a bit of Tswana, I always use a translator to communicate with Tswana speaking employees on the farm. Luckily I have assistant supervisors that help me on the property.

“Circumstances forced me to leave school at 16 and I had a tough time at home with a stepmother who did not care much for me. It was left to me to make my own way in the world. I was fortunate however as Mr Steyn gave me the opportunity to prove myself over time and in the long run I have been successful. My wife and I have five children and our oldest daughter is disabled. We live here on the farm and without the good opportunities I’ve had here, we would not have the life we have.

“I am very grateful for my circumstances and this has also allowed me to have high hopes for my childrens’ future. I would like my children to go further in the world and have more opportunities than I have had. My oldest son in 14 and perhaps he would be interested to study agriculture and become an agricultural advisor.

“If I advise youngsters, I would encourage them to try to finish Matric (high school) and then see what the future holds for them. Too many youngsters drop out of school unnecessarily and thus reduce their prospects. Often people are given the chance to improve themselves within their place of work. The sector where you find employment might not be your first choice but you can grow with it and see where it takes you. This was how I ended up in agriculture, yet I have grown to love it.

“I have a great relationship with my boss and we get on very well. He has been a mentor to me over the years. When Mr Steyn and his family went through sad and difficult times some years ago, it was an honour for me to be able to give back as I was able to shoulder extra responsibilities for the farm on his behalf. Personally I think there is still much opportunity ahead for me on this farm. I am happy here and have no plans to move.”

Louise Brodie (Ochreworks); Grape Stars 2010 Publication.