After a hectic and demanding working year, agri leaders will be spending some time out with their families and loved ones to rest and take stock of the year that was. Importantly, it’s also a time to prepare for a new year that promises to be even more hectic than 2023.
Many leaders are planning a restful Christmas accompanied by friends and family. The menu unwrapped has good food, treats, and local wine brands to sip on.
Agda CEO Leona Archary’s vibrant Christmas delight
Agricultural Development Agency (Agda) chief executive officer Leona Archary has festive plans for the family with matching outfits and colourful Christmas décor being the theme of the day.
For Christmas dinner, she is planning a starter menu of salmon bruschetta, a variety of samosas or chilli bites, and cheese boards. This will be followed by cajun seafood, garlic bread, savoury rice, and a green salad for the mains.
“For dessert, we will have a trifle, pineapple fridge tart, and Christmas pudding and custard. And our wines this year are all South African brands.
“We are looking forward to relaxing family time and sundowners by the pool. I am wishing a blessed Christmas to the Food For Mzansi team and all our agri friends,” Archary said.
Drakensberg serenity for Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff
Meanwhile, Agbiz chief executive officer Theo Boshoff is planning to do as little as possible for this Christmas break, intending to focus all his attention on family.
“The family and I are going camping in the Drakensberg for a week to recharge before next year,” he said.
For Christmas lunch while camping, the traditional roast is not on the menu, but it will be replaced by braided gammon, fresh bread and preserves, and seasonal fruit such as table grapes and blueberries.
“It should go well with a South African chenin blanc,” he said.
Fruit SA CEO Fhumulani Ratshitanga recharges in full colour
Fhumulani Ratshitanga, Fruit SA’s chief executive officer, sighed a deep sigh of relief as she detailed that her Christmas break would be an opportunity for a long and deserved rest.
“I am looking forward to having rest. I must say, I have been exhausted. It has been a long year and I am looking forward to it. I have taken three weeks off, so at least I will be able to rest because I saved my days during the year,” she said.
For her, maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet is the plan, with controlled portions, greens, and healthy treats.
“My plate will be nutritious, but still interesting. We will have several colours on the Christmas day plate, but not the whole of December. I will still keep things healthy,” added Ratshitanga.
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Karin Kleinbooi’s festive toast to local wine brands
South Africa Wine executive manager for transformation and development, Karin Kleinbooi, said since she started in the wine industry, she has developed a sophisticated palate and over the last couple of months she has been invited to tastings and received a few early Christmas gifts.
“I have been fortunate to receive a few gifts and I have an amazing collection of wines predominately from black brands in South Africa,” she said.
For her, Christmas lunch will be around the table with close friends and family while sipping on locally made wine brands.
“After Christmas, I am hoping to take a mental break and go on vacation for a week. I am mindful that there have been brands that have been affected by adverse weather conditions and I will be thinking about support systems for the affected brands and I want to send thanks to them before we close,” added Kleinbooi.
Mbali Hlophe’s plan for nutritious Christmas cheer
Gauteng MEC of agriculture and rural development Mbali Hlophe told Food For Mzansi that her department had an early Christmas with children and youth in local shelters earlier this month where they were taken to Gold Reef City as a treat.
“For the department of agriculture, we must hand out the tools and seeds for backyard gardens, so families have nutritious healthy plates from henceforth.
“I am thinking we should do a special cookout with a chef who will show families how to make a decent Christmas meal from the items in the food parcels. We can do it on a farm,” she said,
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