WESTERN CAPE. – Councillor Johan Allers, leader of the VF Plus in Oudtshoorn, has expressed his condolences to the Jonker family following the death of Sagaria "Saag" Jonker.
Allers describes Jonker as an important figure in Oudtshoorn's business and farming community and says his passing is a great loss to the town and the Klein Karoo. According to Allers, Jonker built the Saag Jonker group since 1976 by combining ostrich farming, processing and international marketing. Jonker was named South Africa's Farmer of the Year in 2000.
According to Allers, the group has also invested over the years in housing, sanitation, childcare and recreational facilities for employees and their families. He says Jonker remained involved in the farming operations until the age of 85 and regularly visited his farms. Allers also expressed his thanks to police divers, emergency personnel, farmers, farm workers, volunteers and community members who were involved in the search for Jonker.
"Saag Jonker leaves behind much more than a farm. He leaves a life's work that has become part of Oudtshoorn's story," says Allers. He expressed his sympathy with Jonker's wife, Hazel, his children, employees, business partners and friends.
Read the full tribute below:
SAAG JONKER'S PASSING IS A GREAT LOSS TO OUDTSHOORN – JOHAN ALLERS
Councillor Johan Allers, leader of the VF Plus Oudtshoorn, has expressed his deep sympathy with the Jonker family following news of the death of Sagaria "Saag" Jonker. Allers says he had tremendous respect for Jonker and describes his passing as a great loss to Oudtshoorn's business and farming community, and to the Klein Karoo as a whole.
"Saag was one of the people who helped build Oudtshoorn's name as a centre of the ostrich industry. His influence extended far beyond his own farms. He built a major enterprise, created jobs and demonstrated what is possible in this region through hard work, perseverance and faith. I had the greatest respect for what he achieved and for the role he played in our community over so many years," says Allers.
Jonker has built the Saag Jonker group since 1976 from modest beginnings. By combining ostrich farming, processing and international marketing, he helped bring Klein Karoo products to the world market. His appointment as South Africa's Farmer of the Year in 2000 was recognition of his exceptional contribution to agriculture.
"For Oudtshoorn, Saag was much more than a successful farmer and businessman. He played a major role in the economic life of our town. His enterprise provided a living for employees and their families, while other local businesses were also part of that wider agricultural industry. That is why his loss is felt so widely," says Allers.
The Saag Jonker group has also invested over the years in housing, sanitation, childcare and recreational facilities for employees and their families. Farm workers from the enterprise received recognition in regional and provincial competitions. This aspect of Jonker's legacy reminds us that a farming operation's influence is also measured in people's lives.
One story provides a glimpse of that human side. A farm worker who received a special award in 2011 told how the Jonker family supported him and his brothers and sisters after their mother's death. Jonker announced at the prize ceremony that he would write off the worker's car loan with the farm.
Jonker's interest in the future of agriculture extended beyond his own enterprise. He emphasised the importance of cooperation between farmers across racial lines. According to his family, even at 85 he remained actively involved in farming operations and regularly made his rounds on the farms.
"We especially think today of Hazel, his children and the whole Jonker family. A community can honour a man for his achievements, but for his loved ones the loss is deeply personal. On behalf of myself and the VF Plus Oudtshoorn, I express our deep sympathy with them, as well as with his employees, fellow farmers, business partners and friends," says Allers.
Allers thanked the police divers, emergency personnel, farmers, workers, volunteers and community members who were involved in the search. "Your willingness to help showed how the Klein Karoo stands together in a time of need. May the Jonker family find strength and comfort in the days ahead."
"Saag Jonker leaves behind much more than a farm. He leaves a life's work that has become part of Oudtshoorn's story. We will remember him with great respect."
Rest in peace, Saag Jonker.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
