Nelson Mandela stated at his inauguration: “Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all”. The Marketing Act of Agricultural Products, Act 47 of 1996 (MAP Act), brought an end to single channel marketing and the control boards in the agricultural sector. Role-players, however, realised the importance of reliable information for the functioning of a free market. Subsequently, the oilseeds, winter cereals, sorghum and maize sectors co-operated to establish the SA Grains Information Service (SAGIS), in November 1997.