Few entities in the business world instil as much confidence as a family business. Every member in this team has a personal interest in the project and knows that her/his contribution is a lifelong investment.

“Not one of us look at Afriq Water to see what it holds for her/him as an individual. Our business is bigger than the person,” says Hélana Ueckermann, administrative manager.

“We have to keep building and extending this undertaking as a team because it is not only in the interest of the present generation, but also of the one to come and the one after that in perpetuation.”

Hélana believes in the ability of smaller undertakings to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, and in the important role and positive influence they have on the survival of farming in South Africa. “I believe that, in our country with all its negativity and problems, there will always be a place for family undertakings such as ours. It is important for Afriq Water to support the community around us and serve everyone – from the small-scale farmer up to the giant commercial project.”

Afriq Water has been walking a mile with their faithful clients, so much so that they become friends and remember to wish each other well on their birthdays! Some of their clients hail from Zimbabwe. All of them will be very taken up with two new arrivals in the Afriq Water clan in the past months and many have been waiting long for their great moment to arrive; it did in the form of infant Karl Ueckermann and infant Loodewijk Jansen van Vuuren, who saw the light of day recently. The two of them should be ready to take over the reins within two decades from now as third generation owners of Afriq Water. Their arrival brings certainty that this family enterprise will remain in the hands of the extended family for many years to come.

However, that is not all. Another important arrival is in the offing – a manufacturing plant to produce drip irrigation pipe which was ordered from an overseas supplier. Apart from the quick-coupling HDPE pipes and orange couplings, for which the firm has become known, Afriq Water has been installing drip irrigation systems in the past three years.

After the drought in the Western Cape Wynand Ueckermann, the owner, realised that drip irrigation was the road to travel into the future in drought-ridden South Africa of today. However, it is problematic to provide in the requirements of farmers when pipe has to be ordered from overseas for every drip irrigation system. With this machine they will be able to manufacture the required pipe immediately for various purposes on the farm – pipes for fluctuating water pressure, varying flow and drip hole spacing, and also for the retail market, eliminating a waiting period for the correct piping as stock will be available immediately.

Keep the Corona virus away from the farm gate

As agricultural supplier Afriq Water may still keep their doors open during the lockdown, but the firm does not want their clients to travel and be exposed to risks. This does not mean that farmers will not be able to inspect and buy their irrigation products. All a farmer has to do is the visit the website www.afriqwater.co.za to view all products and place an order.

When an order is placed, the farmer will be contacted to confirm availability and provide a quotation for delivery. Delivery can be arranged at a suitable pick-up point or else at the farm gate.

Contact Afriq Water on 061-502-2547 or send an email to admin@afriqwater.co.za. You can also visit their website www.afriqwater.co.za to find out more about this dynamic family business and its products.