Nominations are now open for 2018 North West DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards.
The North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development MEC Manketsi Tlhape invites farmers, organised agriculture unions and commodities, organised women formations, financial institutions, educational institutions, municipalities and the residents of Bokone Bophirima to nominate female farmers/entrepreneurs in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to compete for the prestigious 2018 DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards (FEA) to be held in August this year.
This annual event seeks to recognise and appreciate the role women play in the sector, their entrepreneurial skills in the mainstream agriculture, forestry and fisheries and for their efforts and contribution in food security and value chain activities.
The DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards Programme is a joint venture between the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, the provinces and key partners in the sector (viz. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).
The programme also seeks to acknowledge, encourage and increase the participation of women, young women and women with disabilities in the agricultural, forestry and fisheries sector, to honour their efforts in the sectors which positively contribute to food security, job creation, economic growth and poverty alleviation and ultimately leverage these entrepreneurs from being subsistence to commercial farmers.
The objectives of the FEA programme are consistent with the vision of the National Development Plan, which makes particular reference to the empowerment of women and their involvement in the country’s economic transformation.
The DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards starts in the provinces where potential winners for different categories go through a rigorous adjudication process.
The female entrepreneurs through this programme have not only contributed towards women empowerment and participation in the sector, but further inherited the principle that continues to make significant impact in proper use of natural resources and innovative ways to adapt to the climate change.
Nominees and entries are invited for the following categories:
- Best Female Worker in the Sector, Best Subsistence Producer in the Sector, Top Entrepreneur in the
- Sector: Smallholder, Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Commercial Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Export
- Markets and Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Processing.
Competition entrants must be involved in agriculture, forestry and fisheries enterprise activities on a full-time basis. Entrants of the competition must be willing to allow competition coordinators to take video footage which supports information provided on the entry forms, only South African citizens are allowed to enter the competition. Past winners of categories cannot enter the competition in the same categories again.
The nominated enterprise must be registered in the entrant’s name for a minimum of two (2) years; in the event of the enterprise/entity including men, women must be in the majority by 80% and they must be involved in the ownership, management and decision-making aspects of the entity.
Members of the public can contact departmental district offices across the province to be assisted with entry /application forms. Closing date for nominations and entries is June 30 2018.
Enquiries:
Thandiwe Moripe-Thabethe
Cell: 079 543 4165
Tel: 018 389 5337/8 or 018 389 5719
Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Cell: 060 745 4020
