Most people are living with a lot of questions and challenges in their lives. The cost of living is higher than ever and it feels as though the fuel price increases every month! School fees, medical costs, dentist, new tyres, electricity ... and all those unforeseen aspects which just worse the situation!
We are stressed, we are negative and, most of all ... we are afraid.
JDI currently has approximately 100 employees in its six branches. 100 employees who all struggle with the issues raised above. We, as a company, are not isolated in a little vacuum. JDI regards itself as part of the farming community. When it is dry and there is no rain, we feel it as well.
When you read this newsletter, it means that you have done some or other form of business with us. We as the JDI team, would like to thank you for the privilege to be part of your business. Our focus is to render quality service to all our customers. Our financial year ended on 30 April, with all the stock-takes and audit related enquiries which accompanied it.
This is not a time characterised by exponential growth, but sometimes one has to weather the storm. Difficult times bring people together and if you are able to remain standing during the storm, a rainbow often awaits you on the other side.
Despite the reasonably good rain in the Cape, the drought is still an item on the agenda of the Eastern and Southern Cape. Rain in the Swellendam and Bredasdorp areas came later than previous years and farmers were forced to plant in dry soil. The water level of the Hankey Dam is still very low and tractor sales in the Addo area declined dramatically over the past 12 months.
In terms of prospects we are very excited about Nampo Cape, which will be held in Bredasdorp for the first time. The Nampo Harvest Day held in the North West annually, is the largest show in South Africa. The fact that Nampo will now be part of the show here in the Southern Cape is really something to look forward to.
The new John Deere orchard tractor is very popular. We are proud to say that we are now part of the fruit industry. Although we have always been present in the Hankey and Addo areas, we can only now offer a product which customers can benefit from. John Deere is known by its large, powerful tractors which can tow large planters, but the orchard model is proof that John Deere can also make an impact in the smaller tractor market.
So, while everything is not moonshine and roses around us, we know that we cannot merely sit back and do nothing. With all the knowledge and technology which we have, we cannot make rain - but we have to have faith and confidence. This is how we, as JDI, also deal with the challenges which we face - we do everything we possibly can and we make sure that we maintain our standards - for the rest we trust in God.