To show his gratitude after receiving a donation of oranges for his Aids centre last year, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu visited the Cedar Citrus farm in Citrusdal to bless their crops before they begin harvesting.

The farm's 38 shareholders, 36 of whom are workers, gave a bakkie-load of oranges to the Desmond Tutu Aids Centre at the University of Cape Town last year.

"This seems like a dream because of the oppression we faced, but just look at what God has done," he said.

"This is not a dream but a wonderful thing," he continued "and we have to commend the three Van der Merwe brothers for doing this.

"We know of all the bad that is happening in the world, but this is a good story and the public should be informed."

Cedar Citrus was established five years ago as a partnership between ALG Boerdery - owned by Alwyn, Liben and Gerrit van der Merwe - and their workers.

ALG and Cedar Citrus farm were certified with the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation and approved by the United Kingdom's Fairtrade Foundation.

(source: The Cape Argus / 18 July 2005)