Top female farmers honoured

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) recently honoured the country’s best female farmers.

The 2016 DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards acknowledged their contribution to the agricultural sector and food security.

Established 17 years ago, the awards are aimed at encouraging and increasing the participation of women, youth and people with disabilities in the agricultural sector.

The awards are a culmination of provincial awards ceremonies where winners from each province compete against each other in different categories.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana said the participation of women in the agricultural sector was important for government to ensure that there is food security.

“The participation of women in the mainstream of the sector and the economy requires aggressive attention to reduce food security threats.”

He added that the department will continue to recognise the contribution made by women and encourage more women to join the agricultural sector.

During the awards top female farmers received prize money and sponsorships that include, among others, study tours to Kenya and information about farming.

Winners from the provincial award ceremonies competed in nine categories where each winner was awarded a trophy and prize money ranging from R100 000 to R500 000.

Lindela Elizabeth Mabuya from the Western Cape was named Best Female Worker and received R100 000 in prize money.

Nthabiseng Kgobokoe of North West was named Best Subsistence Producer and walked away with
R150 000, a tablet and
a study tour to Kenya.

Mpumalanga farmer Makhosazane Sambo was named the Top Entrepreneurial Small Holder Farmer. She won R250 000, a tablet and a study tour to Kenya.

In the fourth category, Mabel Motlhele from Northern Cape won the Top Entrepreneur Processing award. She walked away with R150 000 and a tablet loaded with information on agriculture.

In the category Top Entrepreneurial Commercial, Western Cape-born Caroline de Villiers won the award and received R250 000, a tablet and fertiliser worth R40 000 from Omnia.

Venecia Janse from the Eastern Cape was Top Entrepreneur Export Market and won R250 000, a tablet and fertiliser worth R40 000 from Omnia.

Candice Muriel Bostander from the Northern Cape won the Ministerial Award: Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year and pocketed R100 000, while Philisa Fadana from the Eastern Cape won the Ministerial Award and R100 000.

The main winner of the night was 54-year-old Venecia Janse, an apple and pear farmer from the Eastern Cape. Janse won a trophy and
R500 000.

For more information on the Daff Female Entrepreneur Awards visit: www.daff.gov.za