South African fresh produce group Capespan has introduced a new leadership development programme for land reform projects in the country, called the Capespan Academy.
The programme will focus on mainstreaming and building capacity of previously disadvantaged individuals on land reform projects, according to the group.
As part of the project, Capespan Academy has formed a partnership with the country's Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA), which has provided R4.5m (€400,000) in funding.
'We intend to be a human resource development leader, entrenching the Capespan promise of delivery,' said group empowerment executive Angelo Peterson.
'Objectives are to reduce the skills gap between management and general workers; develop previously disadvantaged managers; train existing farmers as mentors to aspiring black farmers; and create a human resource model for future land reform projects,' he continued. 'Achieving these goals will contribute to enhancing the quality of life and standard of living of farm working communities.
'Through the Academy's work, Capespan will contribute towards sustainability in farming communities, the industry and the country,' Mr Peterson said. 'Productivity and profitability on the farms will increase and service standards improved further. In short, the programme will add value all-round.'
During the first year of the programme, the Academy will only serve farms in the process of empowering their workers and which are managed by Capespan Farm Management Services, as well as projects administered under the Capespan land reform.
