Mr C Nichas was elected as new director in place of Mr H B Hirschowitz. Mr I Hirschowitz remained Chairman and Mr H Pieterse became the new Vice-Chairman. Mr B J Kriel was, on 25 January 1964, appointed as Manager of the Co-operation. A bank account was opened at Barclays Bank and in the meanwhile, the number of members grew to 210. On 25 January 1966 a special meeting was held with the view of merging with Dendron Aartapelskoӧperasie. The attendance was not satisfactory and the next meeting would be convened. On 9 February a unanimous decision was taken to amalgamate with Dendron Aartappelkoӧperasie. It was also the last meeting of the Highveld Potato Co-operative. The Dendron Aartappelkoӧperasie meanwhile, decided to accept amalgamation plans. During a special meeting on 10 November, which was attended by 47 members, there was a difference of opinion on the matter. At the meeting of December 13, 1965, 80 per cent of the meeting attendees voted in favour of the merger. On March 8, 1966, the first board meeting of the new Transvaal Potato Co-operative took place. The board was as follows: I Hirschowitz; Chairman, J D Snyman; Vice-Chairman, M Mynhardt, H J Pieterse, A Klein, C Nichas, G J M Slabber, Mr B J M Kriel, the manager of the new co-operative. The outcome of a decision on 15 June 1966, at Dendron and confirmation of the decision on Bethal, on June 17; was that market agencies were set up for the orderly marketing of the member’s production. Today the Co-operation’s agencies are available in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Vereniging. Between the years 1966 to 1968, the cooperation’s right of existence was under suspicion. The manager resigned and the Land Bank expressed concern about the financial state of the Co-operation, and the number of debtors who were described as extremely high. Production volume of potatoes and the price of potatoes during the period before descending were very erratic. In surplus times, the Co-operation had to assist. In shortage times the Co-operation was ignored in pursuit of direct sales and attractive prices. In 1968 surplus property, equipment, storage and tractors were sold; in an effort to consolidate. Meanwhile the accountant Mr A P Roux, was appointed acting manager and later as manager with Mr D C Shea as Secretary. In 1969 Mr Shea became acting manager and later manager. The existence of the co-operative lied in the balance when the Board on 2 July 1969, decided that members, on a special meeting; make a final choice. At that time there were fears that the Co-operative was not lawfully solvent. A unanimous decision on July 23, saved the Cooperative and a bank guarantee of R100 for each member took the Co-operative back on the road to financial recovery. The real action had apparently resulted in a greater spirit of co-operation because in 1976, the accumulated losses was wiped out and the shareholders’ interest shortage of R78 000 transformed into an asset of R551 000. After Mr Shea resigned as Manager, Mr L I Dreyer was appointed in his position from 22 May 1975. On May 1, 1979 Mr O C Nel took over as manager after Mr Dreyer retired. As serving Chairman came Mr Isaac Hirschowitz death on 23 May 1979, and disappeared a piece of Co-operative’s living history with him. He, from the founding until his death, continuously served as Chairman or Vice-Chairman. Mr Hennie Pieterse was the only member who has served continuously on the board. He was elected Chairman of the Board after Mr Hirschowitz’s death; Mr M L J Grobler was Vice-Chairman. Today the Transvaal Potato Co-operative has advanced on its way to the primary goal, namely orderly collective marketing, and negotiating on behalf potato farmers in the Transvaal. The Cooperative delivers other services such as sorting, packing, providing seed-potatoes, and the cultivating thereof, as well as herbicides and other related items to its 850 members. 89
104 Publizr Home