Buks Nel
South Africa’s favourite apple and pear brand, Tru-Cape, hosts a presentation in Afrikaans about the history of apples and the latest new varieties at the Toyota US Woordfees with industry colleagues Hortgro and Agri-Expo.
The presentation will be held in Die Khaya in Ryneveld St, Stellenbosch Central on Friday, March 13 at 12 noon for 90-minutes.
Tru-Cape’s New Variety Specialist, Buks Nel, is the 2019 Agriculturist of the Year and the author of Apples in the Early Days at the Cape together with Henk Griessel, Tru-Cape’s Quality manager. With the quality of well over a billion pieces of fruit each year under his control, Griessel is a busy man. Nel is no slouch either. He has just completed his second book on apples due to be published this year. Apples in the Early Days at the Cape will be gifted to attendees. Nel acquired Plant Breeders Rights for Bigbucks, the fruit of which is trademarked as Flash Gala – the newest improved Gala apple with a gorgeous full-red colour.
People attending the session at the Woordfees will learn about The Witte Wijnappel, the first apple picked in the Cape in 1662 and the journey to bring it back to South African soil and how the apples of today have progressed over the years. The story weaves past Adam and Eve (who definitely didn’t have apples) to Kazakstan where still today forests of apple trees grow wild. Nel visited Almaty in Kazakh, known as the Father of Apples, in Kazakstan recently.
These industry experts will share their tips how to optimally store your fruit, a little science trick with an apple and mouthwash to dazzle your friends and a proper explanation why if you plant a Granny Smith seed you most likely will not get a Granny Smith apple.
And, of course, lots to taste and enjoy too.
Tickets are R130 each from Computicket or R150 at the door.
