Great news for our sugar cane clients

Great news for Safire Crop Protection Co-operative clients who suffered losses to their sugar cane crop during the July riots: their sugar cane claims have been quantified, submitted and paid in full by Sasria, including any loss in RV (recoverable value). This was largely due to the prompt collection and submission of all relevant information and substantiating documentation to Sasria by the Safire Co-op team, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure speedy processing of the claims.

Noteworthy news in numbers

30%: increase in UK bank frauds by criminals who use online dating profiles and impersonate victims' bosses to trick them into authorising fraudulent payments.

78%: predicted increase in South African cancer cases by 2030 in comparison to a global estimate of 75%. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so get tested!

660 000: estimated amount in tons of the global macadamia market by 2030, according to the World Macadamia Organisation, with exponential growth in demand.

Solar-powered agricultural training

Twenty-eight young entrepreneurs from Egypt representing 16 teams will use solar-powered smart projectors and a kit containing a library of farmer-training videos to share the new technologies promoted in the videos in their local communities. The project involves more than 100 000 smallholder farmers and seeks to promote sustainable farming of wheat and fava beans, with a focus on improved irrigation management.

Young Farmer 2021

The KZN Young Farmer of the Year award has been won by Brad O'Neill, a Richmond sugar cane farmer whose focus on sustainable bio-dynamic farming practices impressed the judges of this prestigious competition. Prior to joining the family farm, Brad had a career in the wine industry, and has used this knowledge to develop a successful add-on to his sugar cane farming with a craft rum distillery.

Speak up against insurance fraud!

According to the South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB), around 10% of submitted claims are fraudulent - amounting to R3.5 billion lost per annum, driving up costs for insurers and their clients. Covid-19 has led to economic desperation and an increase in opportunistic crimes such as claims for cellphones, tablets and laptops; fake retrenchments and UIF fraud; and many more. Each fraud case stretches resources, not only for the insurer but also for the police, our legal system, and emergency services, an unnecessary involvement of organisations that could be using their resources to fight other forms of crime.

Sustainable forestry by small-scale local farmers

Small-scale wattle growers in the Matimatolo area near Greytown in the KZN Midlands have developed their own unique ways of growing and harvesting their trees that is largely sustainable, with minimal impact on the environment.

The Insurer newsletter and the content of any article published herein, should not be construed as forming part of any insurance contract or policy nor as constituting any form of advice. It is aimed at providing an informal and informative read to the readers thereof. Whilst every effort is taken to attempt to ensure the accuracy and correctness of the information contained herein, Safire Insurance Company Limited does not give any assurance regarding such accuracy or correctness and accordingly does not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage, whether direct, indirect or consequential, arising from any reliance placed in the information contained herein.