Entries for 2016 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards set to close this month
Entries for the Western Cape’s most prestigious agriculture competition will close this month.
Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, called on agriculture workers to enter the 2016 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards.
The initiative, previously known as the Farmworker of the Year competition, honours excellence in the province’s agriculture sector.
“I’d like to encourage our agriculture workers to enter the competition. Through you, we generate economic growth and create jobs for residents. We need to celebrate the men and women who help take our agriculture sector forward,” said Minister Winde.
Entries are still open for the following regions:
- Berg River
- Breede Valley
- Piket-Bo-Berg
- Stellenbosch
This initiative is co-sponsored by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and the Shoprite Group.
Shoprite has been involved with this initiative for the last five years. As Africa’s largest retailer, Shoprite goes directly to farmers, through Freshmark, the group’s fruit and vegetable procurement and distribution arm, to bring customers freshness at the lowest price. Shoprite is proud to partner with the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards as it honours farmworkers making a significant contribution to South Africa’s economy.
The first of 15 regional competitions is set to take place in the Witzenberg region on 28 July 2016.
A winner, runner-up and second runner-up will be selected in each of the following 11 categories:
- General Worker
- Tractor Driver
- Administrative Personnel
- Animal Production
- Technical Operator
- Irrigation Specialist
- Social Development
- Agri-processing
- Foreman
- Junior Management
- Middle Management
The winner in each category and the overall winner in each region will go through to the provincial competition.
The Western Cape’s top agricultural worker will be announced during a gala ceremony on Saturday, 5 November 2016. The overall winner receives a cash prize, Shoprite vouchers and an overseas trip.
As part of the judging process, entrants are scored on their overall knowledge of the agriculture sector and finance issues in the country and on-farm, including budgeting and costing. Entrants are assessed on topics such as Black Economic Empowerment and the export chain. Experience and agricultural skills are also key criteria.
Over 6000 agriculture employees have entered the competition since 2002. In 2015, 1 247 residents participated in the competition, a 20% increase from the previous year.
For media queries, kindly contact:
Bronwynne Jooste
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
