Faith and tradition took centre stage as Maidstone Mill workers launched the 2026 crushing season amid Tongaat Hulett’s ongoing business rescue uncertainty.

Before the first stalk of sugar cane was crushed on May 20, employees gathered for the mill’s annual multi-faith prayer ceremony – a tradition dating back more than a century at the 115-year-old operation.

Representatives from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Shembe and Hare Krishna faiths joined in prayer, asking for protection, safety and a successful season ahead.

According to Maidstone Mill general manager Sinthi Naidoo, the ritual has been observed since the early days of the mill.

“It was started many years ago when our forefathers paid homage to God, trusting for a safe and successful season,” said Naidoo.

The ceremony includes a symbolic offering in which a pumpkin is broken and placed on the mill carriers to become the first items crushed before the season’s cane enters production.

“It’s considered an offering of life so that no life is taken during operations,” said Naidoo.

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Employees also fast on the day and personally contribute towards the event, which Naidoo says strengthens both morale and unity among staff.

The spiritual start to the season comes amid ongoing uncertainty over Tongaat Hulett’s future. A court application for the company’s provisional liquidation is due to be heard in the KZN High Court on June 17.

Despite this, operations at Maidstone have resumed in full.

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SA Sugar managing director Avinash Gobind said the focus remains on supporting growers and maintaining production.

“Despite the uncertainty we remain optimistic,” said Gobind.

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The mill employs 535 workers and supports about 675 commercial and small-scale growers. Last season, it crushed about 1.4-million tonnes of cane and remains the only Tongaat Hulett mill producing brown sugar.

Gobind said extensive off-crop maintenance during the annual shutdown helps ensure a reliable season.
Beyond sugar production, Maidstone also operates a water-treatment facility and generates electricity from bagasse to supply nearby industries, reinforcing its role as a vital economic hub.