The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in partnership with Total South Africa hosted the 16th Annual DAFF Female Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at a gala dinner in Polokwane, Limpopo on Thursday, 25 August at Protea Hotel The Ranch Resort.
This prestigious event has celebrated and awarded eighty seven women at national level under the theme “Reaffirming the commitment towards women empowerment in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector.” The main aim of the awards is to honour the efforts and contribution of women, young females and women with disabilities for the role they continue to play in food security, poverty alleviation, job creation and economic growth within the sector.
“We are extremely proud to be a part of this programme. A programme that awards celebrates and empowers women excelling in what is deemed a male dominated industry. It is important for us as a brand to acknowledge these phenomenal women who have challenged the status quo and we specifically chose to celebrate their achievements in the month of August as a tribute to all women who have interrupted the norm,” said Nyameka Makonya, Head of Strategy, Total South Africa.
The winners receive prize money which they are encouraged to use exclusively for the activities and production of their respective enterprises.
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The programme honoured an Overall Winner and also awarded winners in the following categories:
• Best Female Worker in the Sector is Lindelwa Elizabeth Mabuya from Western Cape
• Best Subsistence Producer in the Sector is Nthabiseng Kgobokoe from North West
• Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Smallholder is Makhosazana Sambo from Mpumalanga
• Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Processing is Mabel, Cynthia Mothlale from Northern Cape
• Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Commercial is Caroline De Villiers from Western Cape
• Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Export Markets is Vanecia Janse from Eastern Cape
• The Provincial award winner is Eunice Khoza from Mpumalanga
The Ministerial Award for Young and Disabled Female Entrepreneurs went to Phisa Fadana from Eastern Cape. This award affords the Minister an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of young women and women living with disabilities who are entrepreneurs. The Minister’s Special Award for Youth went to Candice Bostander from Northern Cape. This award recognises emerging young farmer entrepreneurs.
The Overall Winner is Venecia Janse from Eastern Cape. Venecia will fill the coveted position up until August 2017 when the new winner will be announced.
