Smartcom, a preferred service provider to the Vodacom cellphone network, recently handed Agri SA a cheque to the value of R50 000 which will be used in the struggle against farm attacks, says Japie Grobler, president of Agri SA.
This financial contribution has boosted the Agri Securitas Trust Fund, a fundraising project of Agri SA which, by making a financial contribution, aims to bring about an improvement in the security situation of the rural community. "Agri SA greatly appreciates Smartcom's involvement in the security of our members and this serves as evidence of the seriousness with which Smartcom regards the safety of the rural community," says Grobler.
Smartcom Chief Executive Officer Nick Zografas announced at the handing over of the cheque that Smartcom has developed a distress SMS service facility to facilitate fast and efficient communication between farmers who makes use of the Smartcom cellphone package to enable the subscriber to contact multiple neighbours in an emergency. This service, which was developed with the assistance of Agri SA, is the first and only one of it's kind in South Africa. Three types of emergency situations are catered for eg. a farm attack, a fire breakout and a medical emergency. The distress SMS helps the farming community to bridge the isolated environment they find themselves in, by offering reliable and economical means of notification in an emergency situation. At a touch of a button on his cellphone the subscriber will notify ten neighbours of an emergency and seek assistance.
"Smartcom is fully aware of the critical safety situation in which the farming community finds itself at present and wants to contribute financially in order to make the farming environment a safer place in which to operate. By means of its ongoing contribution to Agri SA and Agri Securitas, Smartcom wants to assist in normalising the security situation in rural areas so that stability can return to these areas". Notwithstanding the security threat that South African farmers face on a daily basis, Africa and the world are envious of our farmers' expertise in the field of agriculture, which continues to ensure that our country as well as our neighbours have sufficient food. With contributions to Agri SA, Smartcom wants to make it possible for farmers to maintain this achievement." says Zografos.
Grobler added that "the funds are derived from an agreement that was entered into with Smartcom in April this year in terms of which exclusive cellphone packages are made available to members of Agri SA. Approximately 530 Agri SA members are already making use of the benefits, which include the following:
- A discount of 10 % on the monthly airtime and subscription costs of members who make use of the Smartcom packages
- The possibility of restructuring an existing cellphone account which could mean savings of up to 30%
- The sending of text messages (SMS) at 15 cents per message
In closing, Grobler said: "Agri SA greatly appreciates the involvement of companies such as Smartcom in the farming community, and all individual members and affiliates of Agri SA are encouraged to make use of these benefits which were specifically developed for them. In the process you as member will facilitate even greater savings in your business."
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