Christo Somers, a laboratory worker from Riebeeck Cellars in Riebeeck Kasteel, was crowned as the Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year on Friday evening at Grant West Casino, Cape Town. He won the competition out of 750 entrants, and received a grant prize comprising of an overseas trip; a R20 000 study grant, as well as R20 000 in cash. Somers will also join the ranks of the Western Cape Prestige Farm Worker Forum; a body that meets directly with the Minister of Agriculture on issues affecting farm workers.
“Agriculture is a predominant growth driver in our province’s rural areas and farm workers are critical for the future development of this economic sector. Farm workers also produce food for us all and directly support close to one million of the five million people living in the province. This competition gives our provincial government the opportunity to recognise and award all our outstanding farm workers who serve as an inspiration to the rest of our society”said Premier Helen Zille.
Zille also reported on a meeting she had in July with the Prestige Farm Worker Forum. “This forum is taken very seriously by our government. They invited me to tonight’s function, and also asked me to organise a meeting between agriculture and the Provincial Cabinet. We will be meeting with the agricultural sector on 10November in the Worcester Town hall.
The Forum also asked me to lobby national government on the lifting of the moratorium on equity share schemes. I raised this issue at the recent national farm workers summit and we welcome national government’s recent call for a national symposium on shared equity schemes in the Western Cape in the near future. “
Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the competition is contributing towards improving the image of agriculture.
“Farm workers have been the best ambassadors for agriculture this year.” Van Rensburg said he will continue to promote agriculture as an exciting and worthwhile career option through initiatives such as the Farm Worker Competition.
Enquiries:
Wouter Kriel
Tel: 021 483 4700
Cell: 079 694 3085
E-mail: wouterkriel@gmail.com
