PRESS RELEASES

Fireblade Aviation, dedicated to turning dreams into reality, identified the remarkable potential in the 7-year-old, aspiring chef, Imari James! Fireblade Aviation’s invitation for Imari to join their chefs for a day at their office in Gauteng is a collaboration set to ignite dreams and inspire others to aim for the skies! Get ready for a journey beyond the kitchen as Imari takes flight with Fireblade Aviation.

Through TikTok, the country is slowly catching wind of a remarkable story—the story of Imari. Born with meningitis and hydrocephalus, she faced a challenging start to life with doctors predicting that she would not live for very long. Her first year saw her undergo six surgeries to drain fluid from her brain, and doctors weren’t optimistic about her survival. However, against all odds, Imari defied medical expectations, emerging as a vibrant and determined seven-year-old who today attends a regular school and dreams of becoming a chef.

Imari’s journey unfolds against the backdrop of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, a city where her dreams are set to take flight. Hailing from Wentworth, Durban, Imari and her family navigated the trials of her medical condition with resilience and hope. Beyond the surgeries and challenges, her mother, Iman James’ hope was to find a way to share Imari’s story of ‘hope’ with the world. Imari’s online presence has also birthed her own brand, “One Thing About Two Things,” a playful nod to the slang in their community—a testament to her roots and the vibrant spirit of Durban.

Fireblade Aviation, with its commitment to making dreams come true from a young age, saw Imari’s potential. Sharlenee Naidoo, Marketing Manager at Fireblade Aviation, recognised Imari’s dreams and extended an invitation for her to spend a day with the chefs at Fireblade Aviation. The partnership between Imari and Fireblade Aviation goes beyond a day in the kitchen; it represents a collaborative effort to nurture dreams and inspire others to reach for the skies. 888starz Apk

Iman James, shared the family’s journey. “We noticed that she was having issues with her eyes, and the initial diagnosis revealed the severity of the situation. Imari underwent multiple surgeries, including a lumbar puncture and the insertion of a shunt to drain fluid from her brain. The road was fraught with challenges, as the shunt would periodically block, necessitating further surgeries—a total of six within her first year of life.”

The family faced many moments of despair, but Imari’s resilience together with the support of the doctors and staff at government hospitals allowed her to defy the odds. “She is living a normal life and has grown into a lively and curious child, showing a keen interest in life.”

Imari’s story took an unexpected turn when her mother started sharing glimpses of their life on social media. Through platforms like TikTok, Imari began to captivate hearts with her infectious spirit and unwavering determination. Imari’s journey resonated with many and is slowly turning her into a social media sensation.

From a Fireblade Aviation perspective, Naidoo emphasized the importance of supporting children’s aspirations early on. “We have phenomenal chefs within our team, and we can give back to the community and provide her with something that she can always recall on her journey.” Fireblade Aviation’s focus on STEM fields aligns with Imari’s dreams, showcasing the interconnectedness of various career paths, including the critical role of a chef even within the aviation industry.

“Imari’s story serves as a beacon of hope, not only for those facing medical challenges but for every child with a dream. Her journey is a reminder that dreams, when nurtured and supported, have the power to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. Imari’s tale of resilience and dreams continues to inspire, proving that from Durban to the world, aspirations know no bounds,” explains Naidoo.

Imari’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of dreams. As she continues to inspire others, her journey also serves as a reminder that every child, regardless of their challenges, deserves the chance to dream and pursue those dreams with unwavering support.

“The opportunities to support STEM education or any field of studies should begin from early childhood development. We need to make dreams come true so that children are inspired and will continue to drive every effort into making their career paths a success because the world has given them a platform from which to be inspired,” concludes Naidoo.

South Africa has been grappling with a severe water crisis in recent years, affecting all facets of life, including businesses and industries. Among those significantly impacted is the farming and agriculture sector, which heavily relies on a stable water supply for survival. As the challenges of water scarcity persist, innovative solutions like Damsak® Reservoirs are emerging as game-changers for stakeholders in the agriculture industry, offering a lifeline for sustainability and growth.

The water crisis in South Africa

The water crisis in South Africa has been driven by a combination of factors, including prolonged droughts, changing weather patterns, electricity shortages affecting the continuous flow of water, and increasing demand due to population growth and economic activities. These factors have put immense pressure on existing water resources, leaving farmers struggling to secure an adequate and reliable water supply for their crops and livestock.

Impact on the farming industry

The farming industry has endured the brunt of the water crisis, facing challenges that threaten livelihoods and food security.

Insufficient water supply leads to reduced crop yields, reduced quality of produce, and increased stress on livestock, leading to rising production costs and decreased profitability for farmers. Additionally, water restrictions and uncertainties have made long-term planning and investment in agriculture a risky proposition.

Damsak® Reservoirs: A solution for sustainable agriculture

Amidst the water crisis, Damsak® Reservoirs can offer hope to farmers and agricultural businesses in South Africa. Their innovative water storage solutions provide a range of features that set them apart from competitors, making them the ideal choice for the agriculture industry.

Easy Installation and Maintenance: Damsak® Reservoirs boast user-friendly installation and low maintenance, minimising downtime, and operational disruptions for farmers.

Super easy to transport: Damsak® Reservoirs can be folded when not in use, making it convenient to transport and deploy on the back of a bakkie. This provides farmers with a hassle-free solution for rapid deployment without compromising on quality.

Durable and UV-Protected: Damsak® Reservoirs are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring long-lasting durability even in the sunniest and most challenging environments. Their UV protection prevents degradation, keeping it safe and clean for multi-purpose uses.

Reliability: Damsak® Reservoirs are engineered to deliver a consistent and reliable water supply. By storing water during periods of plenty, farmers can ensure a steady supply during droughts, mitigating the impact of water shortages on their crops and livestock.

Scalability: Whether it’s a small family-owned farm or a large-scale agricultural enterprise, Damsak® Reservoirs offer scalable solutions to suit diverse needs. Farmers can choose from various sizes to match their specific water storage requirements. Sweet Bonanza Xmas

Environmentally Friendly: By promoting water conservation and sustainable water usage, Damsak® Reservoirs contribute to preserving South Africa’s delicate ecosystems and reducing the industry’s overall water footprint.

Embracing a sustainable future

In the face of the ongoing water crisis, investing in a Damsak® water storage bladder is not just a practical decision for the farming industry; it’s a commitment to a sustainable future. By securing a reliable water supply, farmers can strengthen their resilience against the uncertainties of climate change and protect their livelihoods for generations to come.

By adopting Damsak®’s water storage solutions, stakeholders in the farming industry can take a significant step towards sustainability, ensuring the growth and prosperity of agriculture in South Africa despite the challenges posed by water scarcity.

Damsak® Reservoirs is a registered South African product, first designed and manufactured in 2007. We commit to a 10-year guarantee on workmanship, if used in the recommended conditions. Our water storage solution is compact and easy-to-transport, providing an adequate and reliable solution for water storage in the farming, agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial industries

Take control of your water security

South Africa is a water scarce country, the 30th driest in the world. Half of our country’s river flow is provided by only 10% of its land. Most of the mountain catchment regions that feed our major rivers, are not protected. Yet they are critical for food production and the sustenance of life downstream.

We’re all too familiar with dams, reservoirs and rivers running dry. Groundwater levels fluctuate alarmingly, or even ‘disappear’. Constant water supply is no longer guaranteed, or has become unreliable. In many areas, rainfall has decreased. Less rain not only directly impacts dams and surface water, but also has a dire effect on the recharging of groundwater levels. Rising temperatures are causing increased evaporation. Drought and climate change hold serious implications for long-term water security and pose a huge threat to food security.

Clearly then, water is without a doubt the most precious commodity in South Africa.

The agricultural sector is particularly exposed to water risks. That’s why our resourceful farmers have a solid reputation for being so remarkably adaptable – constantly innovating to produce more with less… most especially when it comes to the availability of fresh water.

One obvious adaptive response to immediately providing their own water security, is to install bulk water storage tanks.

Rainbow Reservoirs, established in 2003, is a South African manufacturer of premium water storage tanks in use in 29 countries worldwide. Because we KNOW about the challenges of water storage in South Africa, we’ve also responded decisively to the increased requirement by farmers for agri-water. That’s why we’ve developed a range of water storage tanks that have been specifically adapted not only to the needs of our farmers, but also to withstand the harshest, most-demanding environments.

By coupling latest advancements with innovative design and corrosion-resistant Aluzinc steel, we’ve come up with a 21st century solution for affordable water storage tanks that you can rely on… The Oasis Water Tanks Range.

We’ve even stuck to the tried and tested corrugated-iron profile that for decades has defined iconic farm-tanks on our agricultural landscape. At Oasis Tanks we’ve taken this legendary, life-sustaining landmark to the next level in corrugated water storage tank technology.

Oasis tanks are manufactured from AZ150 ALUZINC STEEL, NOT hot-dip galvanized steel – there’s a difference! Aluzinc is the material of choice when extended life-span and durability are essential requirements. Aluzinc steel coatings out-perform galvanized coatings by 3-7 times.

Quick and easy to install (visit www.oasistanks.co.za), Oasis Tanks offers over 100 tank models in various height/diameter configurations (and colours!) to suite your needs.

Benefits of an Oasis tank

• 500 litres to over 1 million litres
• 700gsm reinforced PVC liner
• Colour options
• Low to no maintenance
• 10-year warranty
• 40-year life-span
• Rapid installation
• Easy transportation in pre-manufactured flatpack/kit form
• Easy capacity enhancement when required
• Easy to dismantle and relocate
• NO CONCRETE BASE REQUIRED for low profile tanks up to 250,000l

Included:

• External, galvanized steel ladder
• Lockable manhole/inspection hatch
• Aluzinc domed roof
• Dust / vermin proofing

Accessory options:

• Scour / flush drain
• Water level gauge
• Optional flange sizes: inlet, outlet, overflow
• Turbine ventilator
• And many more… according to your express requirements.

Oasis tanks offer a cost-effective, no-regrets water security solution. And they’re built tough to withstand Africa’s toughest conditions

Contact us: sales@oasistanks.co.za; www.oasistanks.co.za; 011 965 6016 ; 082 550 7559

Aucor Property gives farmers best chance of a sale

Aucor Property has a stellar track record in the commercial property auction space and have identified a gap in their business to continue their upward trajectory in sales with the launch of a dedicated Agricultural arm. The sole focus in this division will be the disposal of farms. The company recognises that South Africa’s agricultural landscape is an extremely specialised area that requires an extraordinary depth of knowledge of both land values and the business of farming to ensure the successful sales.

Francois Pawson has come onboard as Business Development Manager of the agricultural business unit. Pawson joins with 20 years’ experience across the agricultural industry. He started his career as a farmer and having found success in a tough industry, he established himself as a management consultant, working with farmers who were struggling to navigate challenging economic and operational environments. Understanding the challenges farmers faced in selling farms he moved into the real estate sector to aid them with the sale of their businesses. Pawson therefore brings a holistic understanding of the sector to Aucor Property.

Pawson describes how our farming industry is more diverse than any other country in the Sub-Saharan region. Our unique climate varies from dry and arid in the Karoo, to Mediterranean in the west and sub-tropical on the east coast. We experience winter rain in the Western and Eastern Cape and summer rainfalls inland, meaning we have the opportunity to yield all major grains, oilseeds, deciduous and tropical fruits, sugar, citrus, nuts, wine, flowers and most vegetables.

Farming and the real estate sector for 2024

Pawson estimates that there are roughly 32 000 farmers contributing to the economy, varying from commercial to subsistence farming. According to Agri SA, the current average age of a farmer in South Africa is sixty-two. This is alarming for the future as there is a low succession rate to continue previous family farming legacies. 22Bet Portugal

The number of farm units sold in South Africa remained stable at roughly 4200 in 2023 compared to around 3900 farm units sold in 2022. This stability can be attributed to increased demand for farms bigger than 600ha due to the impact of good summer rains on production, according to Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions. The weakening Rand has been positive for exports but is also dependent on the national harbours providing an adequate logistics solution. Finally, a huge positive is the new entrants to the Agri sector due to some successful skills development programs.

Benefit of auction for the agri sector

The greatest benefit to sellers is that they are able to dispose of their farms via auction in 6-8 weeks. Having a set date for auction also creates a sense of urgency for serious buyers. Over and above this, Aucor Property implement aggressive marketing campaigns and rely on a database of over 45 000 subscribers to bring buyers to the auction. Conclusion of deals are more likely as the conditions of auction eliminate back and forth negotiations that could result in no deal as is often the case with traditional real estate listings.

For the buyers, the value of the entity will be thoroughly assessed before being placed on auction. This provides clarity, with full disclosure being given regarding factors like water rights, land claims and labour force. A level of certainty also comes into play as it becomes clear to the buyer that the seller is serious and not simply “testing the market”.

Contact Francois at francois@aucor.com to get a full understanding of the auction process and to discuss the sale of your farm.