Senwes Scenario April / May 2017 | Page 40

•••• NEWS
Willem and Gert Junior Stols are proud of their entertainment area at the top of a centre pivot .

Centre pivot becomes entertainment area

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I MET TWO YOUNG FARMERS , WILLEM ( 21 ) AND GERT JUNIOR ( 19 ) STOLS , ON THEIR FARM APPROXIMATELY 6 KM FROM NAMPO PARK NEAR BOTHAVILLE . THESE TWO PRODUCERS HAD THE BRAINWAVE TO CREATE AN ENTERTAINMENT AREA IN THEIR FIELDS AT THE END OF JANUARY 2017 . ON TOP OF A CENTRE PIVOT !
AUBREY KRUGER

They say that they first saw an ordinary platform on Facebook and promptly decided to take the idea “ to the next level ”. They judiciously contacted Agrico first , and received the proverbial green light from them to erect the entertainment area , on condition

APRIL / MAY 2017 • SENWES Scenario
that nothing may be welded to the centre pivot . No problem for the brothers , who matriculated at Kroonstad High School ! They got going immediately and used everything , from corner iron , chicken wire and rectangular tubing to build the entertainment area and they bolted everything down to the centre pivot .
When I asked about the number of people who will be able to use the area at one time , the answer was : “ After we built it , 14 farm workers jumped up and down on the platform and it withstood this test .”
On top of the platform , which is more than 4 metres high , one can really relax . They jokingly add : “ Pa Gert can sit up here and look at the maize . And when we want to loaf a bit , we will be able to see him approach from afar .”
They braai with family and friends over weekends . And when a Senwester comes to visit , such as this journalist , he is taken to the centre pivot 17 km away . Andrew Weber , Key Account Manager and Phillip Havenga , Relationship Manager , also visited the brothers on 14 February .
It is extremely peaceful on the platform and one can hear the wind rustling through the maize plants . The view is beautiful , with the Senwes Regina silo as part of the landscape . But where did they braai before they built this exceptional entertainment area ? We used to put the portable braai on the lawn or braai in any open space in the veld when we were there .
With nine centre pivots on the farms Krugerskraal and Nederlanden , and three more being planned , you can be sure that the two fourth-generation producers will definitely build another one and will make further improvements on the first one with lights and fridges . However , they are not allowed to draw power from the centre pivot .
But one thing is for sure - someone will soon have an even better idea .
After a two-hour visit , with the centre pivot swaying fourteen degrees backwards and forwards , we have to say goodbye . What a lovely place . You can see for ever , you can relax and there is nothing to worry you - except the mosquitos .