MPAMBANYONI ESTATE
Located on the outskirts of Scottburgh in KwaZulu-Natal, the 1 800 ha estate comprises Renishaw farm, which has 870 ha of dryland cane, and the well-known Crocworld tourism facility. The sugar cane is sent to Illovo’s Sezela Mill for crushing. This farm is the historic base of the Crookes family’s pioneering endeavours in the area and is the site of the group’s head office. With its beautiful sea views and accessible location, Renishaw is being evaluated for residential, leisure and commercial development.

RIVERSBEND ESTATE
The Riversbend Estate, comprising 1 400 ha of irrigated cane in the Nkwalini Valley near Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, is leased to Tongaat Hulett (“THS”) for a 15-year term. The lease was considered the best option available because the location and cane supply are strategic to THS for its Felixton Mill, while in our hands it suffered from weak profitability due to poor growing conditions and the long distance from the mill.

KOMATI ESTATE
The Komati Estate in Mpumalanga consists of 2 060 ha under cane and 362 ha under bananas, all under irrigation, on several separate properties around TSB’s Komati Mill. The bananas are marketed by Lebombo Growers, in which the group has a shareholding. The property was sold to the state in 2010 in terms of the land restitution programme and is leased back by the group on a 10-year lease (five years renewable for a further
five years). At the end of the lease it is planned to continue to manage the farm in a joint venture with the community beneficiaries of the claim.

QUARRIE FARMS
Approximately 2 000 ha of wheat, barley and canola are planted annually in rotation on Quarrie Farms, which comprises several farms near Napier in the Southern Cape. The balance of the arable land of about 1 200 ha is planted with lucerne as part of the crop rotation cycle, and also for grazing for the 7 000 sheep carried on the farms.

OUWERF ESTATE
The group’s deciduous farms, comprising 390 ha under apples and pears, are all located in the Vyeboom area between Grabouw and Villiersdorp in the Western Cape. The fruit is delivered to Two-A-Day Group Limited (in which Crookes Brothers has a minority shareholding) for packing or juicing, and marketing to export and local customers. A three-year expansion programme is currently being undertaken to increase the area of
orchards to 500 ha.

CROOKES PLANTATIONS, SWAZILAND
The group’s Swaziland Estate is situated near Big Bend in the lowveld and delivers cane to Illovo’s Ubombo Mill. The estate has 1 600 ha of irrigated cane with plans to expand pending the allocation of additional water rights.

MAZABUKA ESTATE, ZAMBIA
The Mazabuka Estate of 438 ha of cane under irrigation was purchased in 2010. It is located near Mazabuka, approximately 100 km south west of Lusaka, and delivers cane to Illovo’s Nakambala Mill.

MTHAYIZA ESTATE
The Mthayiza Estate near Malelane in Mpumalanga is leased from the Libuyile community by Mthayiza Farming, which is jointly owned by the group and the community. The estate has 720 ha under cane and 40 ha of mango orchards, all under irrigation.

KWACELE ESTATE
The KwaCele Estate, which is situated approximately 20 km from Stanger in KwaZulu-Natal, north of Durban comprises 1 600 ha of dryland cane, which is delivered to the independent Gledhow Mill for processing. Previously owned by Crookes Brothers, this farm was transferred to the local Cele community in 2009 as part of the government land restitution programme. It is now leased from the community by KwaCele Farming, a joint venture between the community and Crookes Brothers. The operation is currently being extended on further leased land.