Premier Molewa
7 August 2007
Sun City: Out of the 16 Agricultural projects that entered this year's North
West Female Farmer of the Year Competition, ten were on Monday, 6 August 2007,
declared winners in their respective categories. The annual award ceremony
aimed at acknowledging and rewarding female farmers for their contribution to
Agriculture was held at Sun City, Rustenburg.
Addressing delegates who attended the ceremony, North West Premier, Edna
Molewa said the provincial Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment's commitment in ensuring improvement of these women led projects
cannot go unnoticed. Premier Molewa said the department should "continue to
assist these women with further training and funding as well as marketing
skills, to ensure growth of their projects and creation of sustainable
jobs."
Winners were announced as follows:
Top producer for Household Use: Nkagisang Enterprise, Klerksdorp
1st runner up: Tsepamo Piggery, Taung
2nd runner up: Moiletsane Layers, Moretele
Top producer for Informal Markets: Seleke Vegetables, Madikwe
1st runner up: Auntie Lettie's Farming, Moretele
2nd runner up: Matsane's Broiler, Moretele
Top producer for National Markets: Moenie-mounie Boerdery
1st runner up: Basadi Gopolang Project, Delareyville
2nd Runner up: Badirile Farming Project
Top producer for Export Market: Sunnyview Grapes, Brits
From the four top producers, Ms Maria Seleke of Seleke Vegetables from
Madikwe was announced as the North West Female Farmer of the Year 2007. Winners
in each category took home a total amount of R50 000. First runner-ups
collected R25 000, while the second runner-ups won R15 000 each. All these
projects including the overall winner will now represent the North West
province at the national event to be held at Mpumalanga later this month, where
they will be competing with winners from other provinces.
Meanwhile, the Premier also acknowledged the role played by young female
farmers in the Agricultural sector, by presenting a special award to Ramogatla
project. "As we are in the process of renewing our pledge to build a better
life for all, we must ensure the permanent participation of Young Female
Farmers in this competition. Young people's contribution in this sector must be
defined as crucial," said the Premier.
Premier Molewa also presented a Senior Citizen Award to Ms Sophy Malatsi of
Moiletsae village, who is the second runner-up on the Household Market Category
(Moiletsane Layers), for her active role in promoting not only equity in the
farming sector, but also the fight against poverty in our province.
"We have no doubt that with the commitment that women in our province have
proven in the field of Agriculture; the objective of halving poverty by 2014
will be realised. The NW Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment and the entire province, wish our Female Farmers the best of luck,
and thank them for ensuring the sustainability of the Female Farmer of the Year
project; You are an inspiration to all," said the NW Premier, Edna Molewa.
Since 1999, the competition has been running in partnership with private
sponsors like ABSA, Land Bank, Total SA and Onderstepoort Biological
Products.
Enquiries:
Ms Lesego Mncwango
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 389 5768
Cell: 078 459 5981
E-mail: lmncwango@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North West
Provincial Government
7 August 2007
