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The Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA) The Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA) The Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA)
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What has SIZA been up to since April 1st 2025?

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SIZA Spotlight

Click here to register for In - person attendance (R1 200 Vat incl.)
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Staff Awards - June 2026

At the end of each period, SIZA hosts a staff meeting to reflect on recent achievements and recognise team members who have gone above and beyond in various areas.
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SAQ Superhero

Ashley Robinson
Master of reviewing SAQs
WhatsApp Image 2025-11-21 at 12.56.21

Social Butterfly

Matthew Wessels
Spreading good vibes with the top social media post
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Crowd Commander

Ger-Mari Tesselaar
Leading SIZA training with confidence
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Follow-Up Phenom

Wian van Niekerk
Following up, never falling behind
WhatsApp Image 2025-11-21 at 12.56.21

Road Warrior

Matthew Wessels
Going the distance (literally), and then some!

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Strengthening Occupational Health and Safety on Farms

Strengthening Occupational Health and Safety on Farms

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) remains a key focus area within the agricultural sector, reflecting the industry’s commitment to creating safe, healthy, and productive working environments. Insights gathered through SIZA…

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Balancing Environmental Risks and Benefits in IAP Clearing Decisions

Balancing Environmental Risks and Benefits in IAP Clearing Decisions

Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) are non-native plant species introduced, intentionally or unintentionally, outside their natural range in South Africa. These species often outcompete indigenous vegetation and can significantly alter or…

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Acting Fast, Staying Compliant: Why NEMA Section 30A matters for Agricultural Emergencies

Acting Fast, Staying Compliant: Why NEMA Section 30A matters for Agricultural Emergencies

South African agriculture is increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wildfires and severe storms. Climate change has significantly increased the frequency and magnitude of these events, placing…

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Our Latest Posts

siza_programme

Enabling South African Agriculture to be a global leader. Ensuring sustainable, ethical trade and environmental stewardship.

These pillars are: • Water Management • Soil Manag These pillars are:
• Water Management
• Soil Management
• Biodiversity & Ecosystems
• Energy, Materials & Waste

 Each pillar supports the others.. For example, efficient water use supports healthy soils, while strong ecosystem management helps protect biodiversity and improves long-term farm resilience. Together, they create a balanced and practical approach to reducing environmental impact across agricultural production.

By addressing all four pillars, the SIZA Environmental Standard not only avoid duplication of audits, but it helps producers move beyond isolated improvements and towards a more holistic, resilient, and sustainable farming system.
Many people think the Northern Cape is a barren la Many people think the Northern Cape is a barren landscape with little agricultural activity, but nothing could be further from the truth.

From Kakamas, Keimoes, and Upington to Blouputs, the region is home to thriving farms and packhouses producing world-class citrus, table grapes, raisins, pecans, and dates.

This week, as part of SIZA's Between Audit Monitoring Programme, our team visited 19 farms across the region. We are incredibly grateful for the warm welcome, valuable discussions, and the commitment shown by every producer and team member to continuous improvement and sustainable farming.

Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to strengthen compliance and responsible agriculture across South Africa.
A healthy workplace depends on more than complianc A healthy workplace depends on more than compliance with legislation; it relies on trust, open communication, accountability, and fair processes.

Disciplinary and grievance processes are two key mechanisms that support this. Although often confused, they serve different purposes and are both essential for maintaining fairness and stability in the workplace for both management and employees. 

Employees may sometimes hesitate to raise grievances due to fear of retaliation or negative labelling. Employers and employees, therefore, share a responsibility to create a safe and open environment where concerns can be raised early and resolved constructively.

For more information contact SIZA by emailing wian@siza.co.za or call 021 852 8184.
Through the implementation of sustainable environm Through the implementation of sustainable environmental practices, farms and packhouses can strengthen resilience against climate and environmental challenges, demonstrate due diligence, and contribute to a more sustainable agricultural sector in South Africa.

Feel free to contact our team by emailing enviro@siza.co.za or calling 021 852 8184 for more information on the SIZA Environmental Standard.
If you choose to register via SIZA to provide visi If you choose to register via SIZA to provide visibility for your buyers on the Sedex platform you can benefit from affordable global market access with confidence and convenience, through SIZA’s strategic partnership with Sedex.

As a South African and SIZA Subscriber that is  registered for the Sedex Platform, SIZA provide a user pay service that include the following: 
• Convenient site creation & membership management
• SAQ capturing & audit uploading
• Seamless market visibility
• Reduced Sedex fees
• Capacity to keep your Sedex profile up to date. 

For more information, please contact Ashley Robinson at ashley@siza.co.za.
Join SIZA at Ashanti Estate in Paarl on 19 August Join SIZA at Ashanti Estate in Paarl on 19 August 2026 for the SIZA 2026 Conference.

This year's conference promises engaging and insightful discussions on compliance, sustainability, and the evolving challenges and opportunities within the South African agricultural industry and its value chain. It will be an excellent opportunity to connect with industry leaders, share knowledge, and explore practical solutions that support a more sustainable future for agriculture.

Don't wait, get your ticket today! https://www.quicket.co.za/events/380161-siza-conference-2026/#/

To view our inspiring speaker line-up and conference programme, visit https://siza.co.za/wp-content/uploads/SIZA-Conference-2026-Programme.pdf

See you there.
Medical surveillance is not just a legal requireme Medical surveillance is not just a legal requirement; it is an important tool for protecting employee health and ensuring workplace risks are identified and managed early. 

By implementing the correct medical surveillance programme, employers support both compliance and the wellbeing of their workforce.

For more information, refer to the SIZA Health and Safety Guideline or contact the SIZA office at 021 852 8184 for assistance.
In celebration of Mandela Day, the SIZA team had t In celebration of Mandela Day, the SIZA team had the privilege of giving back to our community by donating non-perishable food items to Sencit Old Age Home.

At SIZA, we are caring for people, striving to strengthen communities, and creating meaningful, lasting impact. Mandela Day reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference and contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and compassionate society.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this initiative possible.
The SIZA Environmental Standard, through the Princ The SIZA Environmental Standard, through the Principal Code of Minimising Negative Impacts, (code requirement 2.4), promotes practices that help protect and enhance soil health including: 

• Restricting soil erosion
• Maintaining soil Structure 
• Supporting soil biodiversity 

Healthy soils support healthy crops, resilient farms, and a long-term sustainable future for agriculture.
The Broken Window Effect is a common practice that The Broken Window Effect is a common practice that shows that when minor issues such as incomplete records, minor safety deviations, or inconsistent procedures are ignored, which could lead to findings during audits. 

Strong compliance starts with addressing small issues early, reinforcing standards every day, and empowering employees to act.

SIZA’s Remedy Solution Programme is here to help. Contact us on 021 852 8184 or email germari@siza.co.za if you need assistance from experts in the field!
As required by the SIZA Environmental Standard, Co As required by the SIZA Environmental Standard, Code Requirement 2.1, all planting material (including seeds, seedlings, rootstocks, cuttings, and grafting materials) must be sourced from reputable, certified suppliers.

In line with the Plant Improvement Act 11 of 2018, all planting material must be obtained from certified sources so that it can provide traceable evidence of origin and quality, helping minimise the risk of:
• Incorrect genetics/cultivars;
• Disease and pest infestation; and
• Incorrect yield and vigour performance.

Stay compliant. Protect your investment. Source only certified planting material & reduce avoidable risks and non-conformances from the start.

Feel free to contact our team by emailing enviro@siza.co.za or calling 021 852 8184 for more information on the SIZA Environmental Standard.
Your MySIZA profile is how your buyers view your s Your MySIZA profile is how your buyers view your site's compliance performance & practices.

Keeping your subscription profile current helps ensure transparency, efficiency, and continued engagement with your business partners.

Need assistance?
Contact the SIZA Office on 021 852 8184 
Email: yolande@siza.co.za
This interactive live webinar is designed to equip This interactive live webinar is designed to equip suppliers with the knowledge to successfully implement social compliance requirements. 

During the webinar, you will gain valuable insights into legal and market requirements and the SIZA Standard principles. 

If you are preparing for your next social audit, this is a fantastic opportunity to expand or to refresh your expertise, where you can ask relevant questions and actively contribute to constructive engagement and Q&A. 

We look forward to your participation!
Who do you think will win tomorrow when the Boks t Who do you think will win tomorrow when the Boks take on Scotland? 

Drop your score prediction in the comments and see if you can beat the SIZA Team's predictions!

The SIZA Team's Prediction: 34-17
Through the SIZA Environmental Standard, Water-Use Through the SIZA Environmental Standard, Water-Use Efficiency Guideline, and SIZATrack360, producers are encouraged to monitor water-use efficiency.  By understanding water consumption patterns, businesses can identify opportunities for improvement, support responsible water stewardship, and strengthen their overall sustainability performance. 

Every drop counts when building a more resilient & sustainable agricultural sector. 

For more information on SIZATrack360 contact Carmen Botes at carmen@siza.co.za
Join us for a webinar filled with insight into the Join us for a webinar filled with insight into the content of the SIZA Environmental Standard, and what is expected to be implemented on a farm and packhouse level according to compliance requirements 

Minimum legal requirements related to the four cornerstones of the Environmental Standard: soil, water, energy, materials, and waste, along with biodiversity and ecosystems are integrated throughout the training. 

Hope to see you online!
Every person needs a break, and most people in agr Every person needs a break, and most people in agriculture tend to take that break after the busy season or once the production has ended. 

Here are a few regulations regarding annual leave:
• Agri-workers should receive at least 1 day’s leave for every 17 days worked, or 1 hour for every 17 hours worked.
• If a public holiday falls during their annual leave, they get an extra day of leave.
• Their leave must be granted within 6 months after the end of the annual leave cycle, and agricultural employees can request to take it continuously.
• Leave should be taken according to mutual agreement between the worker and the employer.

For more information on leave, feel free to refer to the SIZA Working Hours and Wages Guideline, which can be found on the Resources tab of your MySIZA profile.
Keeping your information current benefits all stak Keeping your information current benefits all stakeholders. It enhances reliability of compliance assessments and enables markets to find accurate information about your sites.

Accurate PUCs and PHCs ensure that your audit scope matches your actual operations. If a site is incorrectly listed before an audit, it won’t be included in the audit report, and that part of your business won’t be evaluated nor visible in your audit results. It cannot then be added to your profile after the audit. For clarity and credible reporting, PUC and PHC codes can’t be shared across multiple accounts; they must belong to the account that accurately reflects the true management system being audited. 

Keeping your PUC and PHC details up to date on the MySIZA platform matters for everyone in the fruit value chain, from suppliers to exporters, importers, and buyers.

For more information, contact Carmen Botes at carmen@siza.co.za or 021 852 8184.
Join us for an informative training webinar on SIZ Join us for an informative training webinar on SIZATrack360, SIZA’s cost-effective recordkeeping system that helps producers capture, manage, and share verified recordkeeping data with buyers while supporting environmental compliance and carbon footprint reporting.

In today’s market, buyers increasingly require credible sustainability and measurable environmental impact data in support of environmental audit outcomes. SIZATrack360 provides a practical, centralised solution to support supply chain transparency, compliance, and alignment with buyer and market requirements.

If you would like to attend this webinar, send an email to kara@siza.co.za
Do you have asbestos on your property? Here are Do you have asbestos on your property? 

Here are some guidelines to manage any possible risk:
• The asbestos on the farm must be inspected to determine whether it should be removed or remain in place
• If you plan on removing the asbestos, it must be done through an asbestos contractor approved by and registered with the Department of Employment and Labour. 
• If you plan on keeping the asbestos, a register must be maintained annually by someone who can demonstrate competency in asbestos regulations and management.

For more information, please email Wian van Niekerk at wian@siza.co.za or contact SIZA at +27 (21) 852 8184.
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