Working for 50 years and more for an organization, finishing the gruelling
Iron Man competition or running the Two Oceans ultra-marathon speak of a number of special qualities: dedication, endurance, hard work and loyalty. Agra’s heart is warmed by the achievements of its staff members. Piet Smit, or Oom Piet, as Agra staff members prefer to call him, has been part of the existence of the agricultural co-operative in Namibia for 50 years! He started working in Windhoek at the cooperative, which was then BSB in 1959. In 1961 he moved to the south, working at the BSB, then later BKB branches in Karasburg; Ariamsvlei and Maltahöhe. At the time of the founding of Agra in 1980, Piet was branch manager at Karasburg and was thus the first branch manager of Agra in that town. In 1987 he moved back to Windhoek to manage the Windhoek branch.

After he reached retirement age, Piet continued to work at Agra under
contract as supervisor for Agra Properties in Windhoek, which include
the Agra head office and the Auas Valley Shopping Centre. Piet’s wife,
Hester, also worked at Agra for 27 years. At the time of her retirement
two years ago, the couple had a total of 75 years’ service to the agricultural
organization in Namibia. Indeed an admirable contribution! Piet
recently stepped out of harness and now looks forward to spending quality
time with his family.

Eddie Reed, who has become well-known for his witty remarks while auctioneering, has also spent his entire career life in the cooperative world. After 55 years, Eddie is still an auctioneer with Agra’s Stud Services. He started in 1955 as a livestock agent at FCU and shortly after that joined BSB. From 1963 until 1983 he was an agent at the SWAAA, stationed at Aranos for these 21 years. In 1983 he moved to Windhoek and when SWAAA got amalgamated with Agra, Eddie was already an auctioneer. Two of the major highlights in his career as auctioneer were the record price of N$40 000 he sold a Karakul Ram of Giel Karsten for to Johannes Vos and the highest price ever that was achieved for a stud bull when a Bonsmara bull of Joggie Briedenhann was sold for N$ 280 000 at the Hartebeestloop Bonsmara auction to Ben Mouton. This 72 year “old-timer” says that he is grateful for his health and that he can still be part of the exciting world of auctions. Wessel Visser, Manager of Agra’s Pelt Centre was one of 7 Namibians finishing the Iron Man Competition in Port Elizabeth. Preparing for this 3.8 km swim in the sea, 180km cycle and 42km run, involved a lot of early morning runs, hours on the bicycle and swimming in local dams. Wessel has always been active, participating in ultra events in cycling and running. At the age of 54 Wessel completed this Iron Man for the first time and he said that this is just the beginning.