The Bathurst Agricultural Society (BAS) recently announced the appointment of the new Executive Committee for the term 2025-2026. Following a well-attended Annual General Meeting on October 21 2025, members elected a new leadership team. This team is committed to building the Society’s proud 117- year tradition of celebrating rural life, promoting agriculture, innovation, and community spirit.
The newly elected officer bearers are President: Anne White, Vice-President: Gordon van Zyl, Honorary Treasurer: Gavin Came, supported by committee members Gary McKay, Robyn Cloete and Pam Elliot.
President Anne White shared her enthusiasm: “We are honoured by the trust placed in us by our members. Our first big challenge is the Agricultural show taking place 26 – 29 March 2026. Our focus will be on delivering an inclusive, innovative and financially sustainable event that showcases the very best of modern agriculture while celebrating our amazing farming heritage, dating back to the 1820s. This annual event, the largest of the events in the village calendar, also the largest agricultural show in the Eastern Cape, brings a great deal of revenue into the area. Planning is well underway, and we look forward to welcoming exhibitors, competitors, sponsors, and visitors from across the region.
“The new team, is a blend of seasoned members with deep-rooted experience as well as new faces, creating a strong and energetic committee with a wide range of interests and abilities. We are confident that the 2026 show will be the best yet!”
With the help of generous sponsorship, the committee would also be prioritising improvements of the infrastructure at the showgrounds and focusing on community involvement and development.
“The revamped showgrounds will provide a multi-purpose venue for a number of different shows and events,” White said.
Introducing the team:
Anne White
Anne met her husband Mark at the University of Natal, Durban in 1974. After graduation, they moved to Adelaide where she farmed alongside Mark, as well as independently, running such enterprises as dairy, goats, sheep and cattle. While their 4 children were being educated at Kingswood College, Anne returned to university and studied Computer Science and Information Systems at Rhodes. She then worked as a software developer before joining Kingswood as Director of IT. Subsequent to that, Mark and Anne bought a farm in the Bathurst district where she ran a Boran stud, goats and a small dairy.She is now retired. Anne has exhibited bulls at the Bathurst Show in the past, and has been heavily involved in the Horse Section at the Bathurst Show since 2012.
Gordon van Zyl
Gordon studied a B.Social Science degree at UCT. He held various manufacturing and HR positions at Volkswagen and then worked for Alexander Proudfoot, an international strategic operations consultancy firm as a Productivity Manager. He completed an Honors degree in Industrial Relations at the then University of Port Elizabeth, as well as a National Higher Diploma in Management Practices. Later, he owned and managed 3 cellphone franchises in Port Elizabeth and consulted on HR and disciplinary matters for various companies and farmers. He and his wife Megan, bought a small wildlife farm “The Farm Bathurst” many years ago and now live on the farm full time since retirement in 2021. They have two sons.
Gavin Came
Gavin, a qualified lawyer and Certified Financial Planner, celebrated 40 years in financial services in 2023. He began his career at Liberty Group in 1983, rising to Managing Director of Liberty Collective Investments Ltd and pioneering the MyLife platform. Later, as CEO of Sasfin Wealth, Gavin eventually stepped down to purchase and manage the Historic Pig and Whistle Inn with his wife, Lucille. They have two daughters. He continues to advise over 200 clients for Sasfin and is a committed industry thought leader, engaging with the Financial Intermediaries Association and the media. Gavin has served as a trustee for the Liberty Foundation and is currently managing trustee of the Bathurst Development Trust, that has distributed R1.5 million in local support, while also helping preserve Bathurst’s heritage through his role as Vice Chair of the Historic Bathurst society.
Pam Elliott
Pam’s involvement with the Bathurst Agricultural Society has been long and varied, spanning 25 years. This experienced equestrian first joined BAS in 1997 as a Committee Member of the Horse Section. She then became Head Steward of the Horse Section. She was then elected as Vice Lady President and went on to become Lady President for 8 years. In between being Vice Lady President and Lady President Pam worked in the BAS office managing the stalls and administration for the Bathurst Agricultural Show for 2 consecutive years. During her time as Lady President, she initiated the Youth Show Section focusing on the Horse Section. Her team of youngsters became part of the Eastern Cape Team and represented the Eastern Cape at 3 National events, winning the team Championships twice. She has found her service to the Society to be extremely rewarding. She is married to Grant and has a son and daughter.
Gary McKay
Gary, an astute business man, is the owner of the Co Op Agri Land in Port Alfred that supplies animal feed, medicine and all farming supplies for local farmers as well as tools, equipment and other products for town folk. Adjoining the co-op is Mac Hire that hires out equipment for example, cement mixers, compacting equipment, breakers, generators, scaffolding and much more. He has just started Summit flooring that supplies carpeting, wooden and vinyl flooring. Their service offering includes installation. He first exhibited at the show in 1979 and has hardly missed a show since. For a few years he volunteered and helped run the bars. Gary brings with him the support of the Ulysses Family motor cycle club, who actively support community involvement. “The show is great part of our community and I would call on people to volunteer and give of their time. This strengthens our community and encourages working together. I am here to support the team and I look forward to seeing the show grow”.
Robyn Cloete
Robyn grew up in the Lower Albany area and went to school in Grahamstown, so she considers herself a true local. She studied B.Comm (Accounting) at the University of Pietermaritzburg. She worked in Johannesburg in the Investment Division for Standard Corporate and Merchant Bank for 6 years and then as a legal bookkeeper for 14 years at the legal firm Rosin Wright Rosengarten. She currently works as an estate agent in the Bathurst area. This accomplished equestrian competed in the 1.30m – 1.50m showjumping events in Johannesburg for 20 years including the Toyota Derby and 5 World Cup Qualifiers. She has competed in a number of show jumping and formation events over the years at the annual Agricultural show and is actively involved in maintaining the showground facilities. She is married to Joe Cloete CEO of Shamwari game reserve and they share a love of all animals. They have four daughters, two of whom are equestrians.
This article was first published in Talk of the Town, November 27, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
