Abagold Development Trust
DISCOVER THE NEW HOME OF ABAGOLD DEVELOPMENT TRUST!
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Trustees
For the community:
- Morris Tshabalala – Principle at Lukhanyo Primary and respected Zwelihle Community Leader.
- Jenny Sauls – heads up the EJ Lombardi Centrum & a trusted member of the Mount Pleasant Community. She does significant work for the aged.
- Evelyn Mabhunu – a social entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in educational trust administration
For Abagold:
- Enver Manchest CA(SA) – Abagold Ltd Chief Financial Officer
- Anisha Archary – Independant Non-executive Director of Abagold Ltd
- Liaison Officer – Elaine Davie
2021/2022
Abagold Development Trust Annual Report for 2022
2021/2022
Luvo Maranti Arts Scholarship
Closing date 15 November 2022: Description and Online Application available here.
2021/2022
UPLIFTING OUR YOUTH – LET’S DO IT OURSELVES
Writer – Hedda Mittner
The Village News
2020/2021
FY21 Information Brochure
2017/2018
Abagold Early Childhood Development
Abagold has committed to the establishment of an Early Childhood Development Centre for the children of all its employees. This ECD will be integrated, multi-lingual and will support other ECD’s in Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant too.
We believe in supporting Education. We know that quality and strong educational foundation supports secondary educational success and directly contributes to the ability to go and study further or to be able to secure employment. By investing in early childhood education we are not only enabling the development of our youth but directly contributing to the socio economic health of our community and the beautiful Hermanus area. Help us to create a healthy future for our children, our communities and our economy.
ABAGOLD DEVELOPMENT TRUST BROCHURE
Coronation Double Century Cycle Tour 2017
2015
Besides the CPYSIP we also initiated and supported a number of other programmes which benefitted the community.
Abagold Choir
The Abagold Choir was once again invited to participate in the FynArts Festival. Their much attended performance on 11 June led to a number of further invitations to perform within Hermanus and in 2016 in the FynArts Festival again.
Mandela Day
On Mandela Day the weather was foul. In windy and wet conditions Abagold employees set off determined to make a difference to the Khanya Educare Centre in Zwelihle and to the EJ Lombardi centre in Mount Pleasant. The Educare centre is a day care for the youth whilst the Lombardi centre cares for the aged. Both places were given a thorough facelift. The Abagold team painted, gardened and tiled and made a much needed difference to both these centres.
Directors Bursar’s Fund
Some directors donate their director’s fees. These fee’s are then used to fund bursaries for seven students. These students will be supported until their degrees are completed. No post graduate studies will be funded.
Building a House from Bottles
Anthea vd Pluym started this project in Zwelihle. They built a house with 2lt bottles filled with sand. A proper foundation was thrown and people all helped with this project. Abagold donated shells, chlorine, gloves etc. to clean the bottles & labour to help plaster the house and erect the roof. This project showed what can be achieved with teamwork, passion and commitment by multiple stakeholders.
DEDAT WPS Learners
This initiative was started by Abagold & Harbour Rock, through Get on with It.
Since 2014 Abagold has employed approximately 185 Learners through the DEDAT programme. They spend 6 months gaining work experience and get paid R2000 per month. Of these learners Abagold have offered approximately 90+ Learners full time employment.
Matric Studies
Abagold funded 18 Matric students to attend extra Maths & Physical Science lectures at Hermanus High School during the October school holidays.
Aftercare at Mount Pleasant
Abagold donated R30 000 to the Just Care aftercare programme at Mount Pleasant Primary. Abagold also gives an employee time off daily to help with the Grade 6 & 7 students at this school. He also coaches them Rugby.
Holiday Craft & Teacher Education @ Enlighten Education Trust
Abagold donated R30 000 to enlighten education trust for Holiday Craft education programmes and for teacher development during the holidays
Qhayiya High – School of Excellence
Abagold funds the Productivity SA-School of Excellence programme at Qhayiya High. This is the 1st school in Western Cape to form part of this programme, the objectives of which are:
- Capacity building to empower the school to implement School of Excellence principles.
- Facilitating improvement in school activities / operating practices which will transform the school.
- Sharing information and celebrating milestones with all stakeholders of the school and other interested parties.
- Further objectives are to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the school and to inspire excellent teachers and learners.
2014
The Abagold Development Trust realised that substance abuse is prevalent amongst the youth in the Hawston, Mount Pleasant & Zwelihle areas. This was highlighted to us when our longest serving employee was stabbed to death by a youngster allegedly under the influence of some substance. We initiated the start of the Clive Prins Youth Substance Intervention Programme (CPYSIP). Most of our funding went to this in 2014.
2013
Abagold supported 4 key projects:
1. Eco Schools through Whalecoast Conservation
2. Establishment of a Vegetable Garden at Waldorf School in Sandbaai. These vegetables supply a daily meal to the Learners
3. Positive Parenting Training Course
4. Izibusiso Home with maintenance, electricity and primary health care
5. Abagold participated in the Partners for Possibilities programme (P4P) and acted as a coach to the principal at Qhayiya High
2013 Achievements
- Eco schools rolled out to 30 schools in Overberg of which 11 are in Hermanus. Lukhanyo Primary obtained International Flag status
- Water tanks with reticulation established by Abagold. Vegetable garden extended at Waldorf school
- 17 parents successfully completed the positive parenting programme. It was subsequently rolled out to multiple facilitators and schools
- On-going support to Izibusiso enabling them to care for the vulnerable youth.
Qhayiya High a great success.
It was clear that Qhayiya High facilities were not optimal for secondary education. Abagold Development Trust engaged with then Minister of Education, Donald Grant, about the need for a new school. We engaged with Municipality to get the land transferred to the Province which enabled the DoE to put the school on the list for a new school to be built. This has been approved and construction will commence in 2016.
ABAGOLD RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL INNOVATION AWARD
December 3rd, 2014
Abagold, an abalone farming and aquatic feed company, was announced the national winner of the Innovation Award at the Productivity SA awards function held in Johannesburg on 30 October. Abagold won the award for their innovative new water reticulation system designed by their engineering manager, Christiaan de Wet.
WESTERN CAPE TO BOOST AQUACULTURE
July 31st, 2013
The Western Cape government is examining ways to establish special economic zones (SEZs) to grow its aquaculture industry, according to Alan Winde, the provincial minister of finance, economic development and tourism. Winde visited the province’s two largest abalone farms, Abagold and HIK Abalone Farm, both in Hermanus.
SA MOVING TO SECURE ITS SHARE OF WORLD AQUACULTURE GROWTH
July 29th, 2013
South Africa’s aquaculture industry, though still in its infancy, has been identified by government as a key priority sector because of its potential to supplement dwindling wild-caught fish stocks with cultured fish products.
PLAN TO BOOST AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY IN WESTERN CAPE
July 21st, 2013
The Western Cape government is looking at establishing special economic zones from Hermanus to Gansbaai to boost the local aquaculture industry which employs 2300 people. Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Alan Winde announced this plan during his visit to two of the province’s largest abalone farms, Abagold and HIK Abalone Farm this week.
WAVE ENERGY PROJECT GETS THE GREEN LIGHT
June 21st, 2013
It’s a first for SA and the world. The innovative combination of technology that Abagold has used in the design of their wave energy converter has been given the green light from the Department of Environmental Affairs.
MINISTER VISITS LOCAL ABALONE FARMS
June 21st, 2013
The establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and a R50 million investment are on the cards to facilitate growth in the local aquaculture industry. The announcement of these measures was made by Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, during his visit to Abagold and HIK Abalone Farm on 12 June.
MINISTER ALAN WINDE ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION OF SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES FOR WESTERN CAPE’S AQUACULTURE SECTOR
June 13th, 2013
The Western Cape Government is looking into the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to boost the local aquaculture industry. Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, made the announcement today, 12 June 2013 during a visit to two of the province’s largest abalone farms, Abagold and HIK Abalone Farm.
ADVANCING AGRICULTURAL ABALONE
May 7th, 2013
AGRI-BUSINESS investment fund, Agri-Vie, has flagged aquaculture in South Africa as an increasingly important initiative in protecting the abalone species. The company believes abalone-farming ventures could be the basis for the future development of the national aquaculture industry.
ABAGOLD WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
March 28th, 2013
On Wednesday night, 20 March, Abagold Ltd won the inaugural annual South African Premier Business award for Exporter of the year, hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in conjunction with Proudly South African and Brand South Africa, and attended by 2000 guests.
WINNERS OF THE SA PREMIER BUSINESS AWARDS ANNOUNCED
March 22nd, 2013
The winners of the inaugural SA Premier Business awards were announced on the evening of 20 March 2013 at a spectacular awards gala at the Sandton Convention Centre. What sets these awards apart is how thoroughly they include enterprises that promote the spirit of success and innovation.
INAUGURAL SA BUSINESS AWARDS HONOURS EXCELLENCE
March 22nd, 2013
The best South African businesses in various sectors of the economy were showcased at the inaugural SA Premier Business Awards hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) on Wednesday night, 20 March 2013.
ABAGOLD – SA’S TOP EXPORT COMPANY
March 22nd, 2013
Abagold, one of the Overstrand’s most prestigious companies, won the SA Premier Business Award in the Export category on Wednesday evening the 20th of March 2013. This was the inaugural event hosted by Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry and attended by 2000 guests at the Sandton Convention Centre.
CONGRATULATIONS TEAM ABAGOLD
November 28th, 2012
On the 24th of November two Abagold cycling team sponsored by key suppliers to the company participated in the 20th Coronation Double Century Cycle Tour in Swellendam.
AGRISETA ABAGOLD
November 7th, 2012
Two Abagold employees received accolades at the recent AgriSETA awards ceremony. Faniswa Mtebele was nominated for the best adult basic education and training pupil, and Sihle Dlamini for best intern.
ABAGOLD WINS CAPE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TROPHY FOR INNOVATION
November 7th, 2012
The 22nd annual competition for the Western Cape Exporter of the year, as run by the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and sponsored by Absa Capital, was recently held in Cape Town. At this function, Abagold Ltd was awarded the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry Trophy for Innovation.
DORMAC NAMED EXPORTER OF THE YEAR 2012
October 29th, 2012
South Africa’s biggest ship repair and oil rig servicing company, Dormac, was chosen last night as the Western Cape’s Exporter of the Year in the 22nd annual competition run by the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry and sponsored by Absa Capital.
PERLEMOENBOERDERY IN SUID-AFRIKA
October 26th, 2012
Perlemoenboerdery in Suid-Afrika is aan die groei en kan in die toekoms ‘n beperkende impak op perlemoenstropery hê. So het Christo du Plessis, besturende direkteur van Abagold, by die viering van die 21ste Walvisfees hier gesê. Abagold bedryf groot perlemoenplase by Hermanus.
FRUIT OF THE SEA
October 17th, 2012
Christo du Plessis, managing director of Abagold, tells South Africa Magazine that South African abalone, known to South Africans as perlemoen, is one of the most desirable seafood dishes in the world.
ABALONE: FARMING GOLD
July 19th, 2012
Four years from now, when all the phases of Abagold’s fourth production facility will be complete, the company’s annual abalone production will almost double from the current 275tonnes (representing a monetary value of over R75million) to 475tonnes.
FARMING ABALONE – ON LAND
April 5th, 2012
Hermanus business is combating dwindling perlemoen numbers.
READ MORE
AQUACULTURE RESCUES OUR ABALONE
May 9th, 2011
Abalone (perhaps better known as perlemoen), a seafood delicacy unique to the Western Cape coastline, is steadily and aggressively being wiped out by poachers, as is regularly reported. Easy and lucrative money has turned poaching into a full-scale industry, now removing an estimated 1 000 tons a year from our shorelines.
FROM EXPERIMENT TO EMPIRE
April 4th, 2011
Abagold Limited has grown from humble beginnings as an experimental abalone hatchery 20 years ago, to a sizable operation incorporating three large abalone farms and a world-class processing plant. Through an entrepreneurial spirit instilled in every employee, the company today is one of the largest marine aquaculture operations in the world and one of the principal employers in the Overstrand.
R52,5M INJECTION FOR WESTERN CAPE ABALONE FARM
April 1st, 2011
Local private-equity firm Inspired Evolution’s environmental and new energy technology fund has invested R52,5-million in Western Cape-based abalone farm Abagold. The Hermanus farm is the country’s largest exporter and international competitor in the hatching, rearing, processing and exporting of local abalone.
INSPIRED EVOLUTION INVESTS R52.5M IN ABAGOLD
March 28th, 2011
Inspired Evolution has invested R52.5m in South African shellfish farmer, Abagold. Inspired Evolution is understood to have made the investment jointly made with the Industrial Development Corporation, giving the investors a 25% stake of the company.
GROOT PLANNE VIR PERLEMOENPLAAS
March 14th, 2011
Abagold se drie perlemoenplase op Hermanus gaan in grootte verdubbel dansky ‘n belegging van R52,5 miljoen deur die private-ekwiteitsbelegger Inspired Evolution. Die belegging sal Abagold in staat stel om ‘n vierde perlemoenplaas op te rig.
TRACTOR CAKE FOR LOYAL EMPLOYEE
March 11th, 2011
A man who loves tractors recently received a long service award from the company he has been part of for the past 10 years. Denis Usher, Abagold’s development manager, was honoured for his service to the company at a special function on Friday morning.
ABALONE FARMER GETS CASH BOOST TO INCREASE EXPORTS
March 10th, 2011
South African private equity firm Inspired Evolution had put R52,5m into a Western Cape abalone farm, it was announced yesterday. The investment, jointly made with the Industrial Development Corporation, was through a 25% black economic empowerment stake in Hermanus-based Abagold.
ABALONE FARMER GETS CASH BOOST TO INCREASE EXPORTS
March 10th, 2011
South African private equity firm Inspired Evolution had put R52,5m into a Western Cape abalone farm, it was announced yesterday. The investment, jointly made with the Industrial Development Corporation, was through a 25% black economic empowerment stake in Hermanus-based Abagold.
ABALONE PROJECT GETS R52M INJECTION
March 9th, 2011
A local private equity firm’s environmental and new energy technology fund has invested R52.5 million (approximately $7,5million) in a Western Cape-based abalone farm, Abagold Limited, enabling the expansion of its abalone production capacity for exports and to set the global standard for cultivated abalone production.
R52M FOR EXPANSION
March 9th, 2011
A R52.5 million financial injection from a SA new energy fund will double both Abagold’s current workforce of 270 employees and its annual production over 220 tons, of which 207 tons is exported.
FOSTER HOME RECEIVES MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT
February 24th, 2011
The babies being cared for at the Izibusiso Foster Home in Zwelihle will have lights, cooked meals and warm baths through-out the winter because Abagold has undertaken to pay the home’s monthly electricity bill.
SPECIAL CERTIFICATION ISSUED TO ABAGOLD FOR FARMING OF ABALONE
January 6th, 2011
Abagold recently achieved the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification for the production, processing and packaging of farmed abalone. This certification was issued by SGS, the world’s leading certification company, and is valid for three years.
ABAGOLD EMPLOYEES EARN QUALIFICATIONS GALORE
January 6th, 2011
Abagold has been a forerunner in the AgriSeta training system and is one of the first farms that has managed to put its workers in the system and has now also been the first farm where accredited training has taken place.
ABET GRADUATES SHINE
August 27th, 2010
Abagold awarded 27 certificates to 24 employees who successfully completed their ABET exams. The number of ABET certificates issued to Abagold staff since the programme’s implementation in 2005, now stands at 170.
ABALONE AND EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
July 14th, 2010
With rurally educated people (from previously disadvantaged backgrounds) looking for employment in South Africa, education levels skills and language are often barriers to their efficient employment. Abagold Ltd is the first abalone farm in the country to invest in basic education as the primary means of improving and maintaining a high efficiency level.
SOCCER FEVER
June 18th, 2010
ABAGOLD GOES YELLOW AND GREEN! On Friday 11 June, Vuvuzelas could be heard all over the harbour. Abagold staff had their own “gees vang” festivity as a build-up towards the Soccer World Cup kick-off. The choir had been practicing diligently for the past month, and when the big day arrived for South Africa, they were just as ready as Bafana Bafana for their big moment!
ABAGOLD EDUCATES ITS STAFF
March 11th, 2010
Abagold Limited is the first abalone farm in South Africa to participate in a far-reaching adult education programme for their staff. Steve McVeigh spoke with Abagold’s training manager, Mynhardt van Dyk, about the programme and its success.
ABAGOLD DONATES BLANKETS TO CHILDREN IN NEED
May 20th, 2010
After becoming aware of the recent burglary at the Rotary Haven Crèche and the good work being done at the Izibusiso (Many Blessings) foster home for babies and toddlers, Abagold staff members decided to get involved.
EMPLOYEES SUCCEED
January 7th, 2010
At the seventh Abagold ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training) certificate ceremony on Thursday, 10 December, nine learners received certificates. Leonoré Steneveldt, obtained a level 4 certificate in English communication. Four learners obtained their first certificates.
SHELL COMPANIES LEADING THE WAY
August 13th, 2009
Hermanus can now officially lay claim to two of the Western Cape’s fastest-growing and most innovative export businesses. Hermanus-based Elezane Industries and Abagold are finalists in the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 Exporter of the Year awards.
PERLEMOEN VAN ABAGOLD IS GOUD WERD
August 13th, 2009
Gekweekte perlemoen van Abagold van Hermanus in die Wes-Kaap is net so smaaklik soos sy gesogte Japanse eweknie en beklee daarom ’n topposisie en prysklas in die mark.
PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR ABAGOLD
August 13th, 2009
Abagold Limited, a company based in Hermanus that farms, processes and exports abalone took second place in the annual Enterprise of the Year competition. The competition, sponsored by Old Mutual and the AHI (Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut) is open to any business throughout the country.
ABAGOLD SETS BENCHMARK FOR ADULT EDUCATION
August 13th, 2009
Abagold Limited held a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, 6 May for ten new Abet students who participated in the adult education programme for the first time.
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ONTWIKKELING VAN LANDBOU BESTUURDERS
August 13th, 2009
Altesame 15 werknemers van Abagold is verlede Woensdag tydens ‘n sertifikaatoorhandigingseremonie vereer nadat hulle ‘n bestuurskursus suksesvol voltooi het. Die kursus is deur die Etiek en Leierskap Instituut (ELI) aangebied.
