31 July 2006
The month of August that government set aside as the month to acknowledge
the role played by women during the struggle era, will this year begin with the
presentation of gratifying awards for North West women in Agriculture. The
event that is normally organised through public-private partnership funds will
be held at a glittering gala dinner ceremony at Rustenburg Hedgeghog Nest, on
Friday, 4 August.
This annual project was introduced in 1999 as an initiative to empower and
reward South African women who diligently use agriculture to address social
challenges faced by their communities like unemployment, hunger and
poverty.
This year, about 26 agricultural projects initiated and led mainly by women
throughout the North West province, were nominated and will compete in four
categories, namely top producer for export markets, top producer for national
markets, top producer for informal markets, and top producer for households
use. Four of these women will be given the provincial awards in these four
categories.
The MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment,
Mandlenkosi Mayisela, will on that day also announce and reward the overall
winner of the Provincial Female Farmer of the Year 2006 award. Mayisela will
also acknowledge for the second time, the role played by youth in agriculture,
in the aspirant young female farmer category.
"The female farmer competition is testament to the reality that our province
and the country is by and large becoming a better place to stay, irrespective
of gender, age or race. Now in its eighth year, the competition has managed to
increase these women's visibility in this previously male dominated sector and
this make us proud," said the confident MEC Mayisela.
The provincial winners will on 26 August represent the province at the
national competition to be held in Durban.
Despite making profit out of their produce, these women have pledged to
resolve one of the fundamental problems of our society. The department is
pleased by the enthusiasm and dedication they have shown, by continuing to
tirelessly ensure that their community members' needs are met. To us, their
nominations serve as an honour and encouragement to do better, and to make
their farms a land that make dreams come true, concluded MEC Mandlenkosi
Mayisela.
Members of the media are invited to the provincial event to be held on 4
August 2006.
Enquiries:
Ms Motlalepula Rosho
Director of Communication
Cell: 082 806 7326
Tel: (018) 389 5436
E-mail: mrosho@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North
West Provincial Government
31 July 2006
Source: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (http://www.nwdace.gov.za)
