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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