Newsletter
February 2002The silly season as it is commonly called in South Africa is now over and everyone is back at work. You may be wondering why we call it the silly season. Well, the reason is that from about 14th December to 14th January a lot of businesses shut down. Amongst these, the building trade, factories, and naturally schools. You cant get hold of anyone anywhere, and only retail shops, restaurants and hotels do a brisk trade.
 During our quiet period, we took time to do some forward planning and to spruce up our office block. The staff opted for some bright colours. So we duly decided on terracotta, which ended up more like the inside of a paw-paw. Then we decided that colour in the entrance alone was rather startling, so we added some green down the passage. With paw-paw and Granny Smith apple green, it looks like a fruit salad we hope this will duly translate into a fruitful year!
While Europe seems to have had some bitter cold weather and more snow than usual, we have had more than the usual amount of rain. Last year this time and the year before, we were sweltering with temperatures exceeding 30°C (92°F) with not a cloud in sight, but this January we have had record rainfall.
As expected, this has had its effect on the different products we harvest. Indications are that the Protea crops will be very good this year, and perhaps a bit earlier than usual. Everything is a bit taller and fatter, but of course plants are, because of the high humidity combined with warm summer weather, far more susceptible to diseases.
Since 14th January, at the start of the New Year, the next generation of Middelmanns has joined the firm. Richard, who has so far had quite a varied career, from chef to computers, has decided that he wants to live on the farm and not in the big city. Having been brought up on the farm, he has a pretty good feel about the business already, and is now going through the process of getting to know all the different divisions intimately. Already his expertise in the line of sorting out computer problems is of real benefit to the business.
 Our local market efforts, under the able hand of Annemie Hiscutt are doing well. We started this division in the name of Floripac a number of years ago, but have since decided to consolidate and put all our efforts under the Honingklip name. Recently a home store chain has placed a large and varied order, and pretty soon our products will be seen in shops around the country.
The sleeved and tagged bunches are very labour intensive and quite a challenge to our work force. Mountains of small cartons are building up for dispatch.
Robert left for Europe on 8th February, and in early March will depart from there to attend the International Protea Conference in Hawaii. During his absence everything will be in the good hands of the office staff.
We wish you all a successful and bright 2002.
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