Agricultural Writers SA North celebrates champions of agriculture

During Agricultural Writers SA North's awards function in October, farmers and agriculturalists were honoured for their contribution to food security and the rural economy.

- Glenneis Kriel

Agricultural Writers SA North named its regional candidates on 3 October during its awards evening in Pretoria, Gauteng.

The candidates were nominated by Agricultural Writers SA North members in the categories for Farmer of the Year, Agriculturist of the Year and New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture.

Agricultural Writers SA North named regenerative conservation agriculture researcher Dr Hendrik Smith as its agriculturalist of the year. Jan Grey from Mpumalanga and Janna du Rand from North West were named as the Farmers of the Year for the respective provinces. The New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture awards went to Joseph Khahleli (Free State), Linda Mthalane (KwaZulu-Natal) and Nkosana Mtimkhulu (North West).

Lindi Botha, chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA North, said at the event that South African farmers and agriculturalists continue to embody resilience and innovation in the face of uncertainty. "Without our farmers and agriculturalists, there is no food on our tables, no thriving rural communities and no economy to speak of. Yet too often their efforts go unseen. These awards are about shining a light on the men and women who work tirelessly – often against incredible odds – to feed a nation and keep South Africa competitive on the world stage."

MORE THAN JUST RECOGNITION