Vryheiders send bales of blessing to Calvinia

AS a farmer of 35 years, Wynand Solms wept in anguish when he watched a video that portrayed the utter devastation caused by drought on farms in the Northern Cape.

The video, shared on whatsapp, shows an area that is dying from thirst as dams empty and boreholes run dry, with animals dropping dead from starvation and no relief in sight.

“I can’t imagine what those farmers must be going through and what they are feeling in their hearts,” he whispers, eyes downcast as he contemplates their suffering.

Wynand knew he had to do something to help. “Every farmer in our country is important for the economy. If there are no farmers, everyone suffers, from the farm labourers who lose their jobs to the people who will no longer have food for their families. I can relate to what those farmers are going through, having experienced drought myself. Farmers have to look after each other to overcome a major problem like this.”

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ: Thugs attempt to steal baby out of car seat

AND: Vryheid community walks for Jesus

As with most bold endeavours, the kind that makes an impact and touches lives, Wynand’s undertaking to send relief to the farmers in the Northern Cape began with an earnest prayer. He had 324 bales of hay to spare, but still needed to find the means to transport the bales to Calvinia where it would be distributed among farmers who needed it.
“I asked Charl Meyer of Transport 24/7 if we could use his trucks and he agreed. The biggest challenge was going to be coming up with the money for fuel, which we calculated at R86 000.”

That afternoon Wynand asked his wife to pray with him. In his hand, he held a hand-written list of all 18 friends and fellow-farmers he intended to call for assistance. “Lord, please let the people I phone open their hearts,” he said.

By that night, Wynand had collected the R86 000 he needed for fuel. “Not one of the people I phoned had said no. They all agreed to help. I invited them to a braai at my house the next day to thank them for their kindness but I still can’t thank them enough for playing a role in easing the plight of those farmers.”

The first two loads of hay were delivered in Calvinia last Friday, two more loads will be delivered tomorrow (Friday) and the last of the hay will be delivered next Friday.

Special thanks goes to Pieter Maree, Aldus Becker, Noel Clack, Jacques van Vuuren, Lood van Rensburg, Quentin van Tonder, Hugo Joubert, Heinze Hambrock, Siegfried Schutte, Johan Stoltz, Hennie Badenhorst, Corné van Deventer, Hennie Venter, Costa Qually, Dr Hugo Paul, Chris Els, André Kruger, Charl Meyer, Mascor, Boet Bester, and Buks Scheepers.

“When you look at the video clip that Wynand showed us, you realise how desperate those farmers are. Vryheid has had a hard time as well, and this is one of the things that motivated us to get involved. We know how bad the effects of drought can be,” said Pieter Maree of NTT Toyota. “NTT Toyota and At Moolman Brokers sponsored the diesel that was needed for the first truck that delivered bales to Calvinia.”

Farmers in Calvinia contacted Wynand to let him know when the bales had arrived and were overjoyed at the donation.

“I am not the hero in this story,” said Wynand humbly. “I am just a farmer that does what God tells me to do.”