Western Cape Honors Female Agriculture Entrepreneurs at 2025 Awards Ceremony
In the heart of August, during Women's Month, the Percheron Hall, Elsenburg, played host to the Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025. The event, organised by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, was a celebration of women's significant contributions to the agricultural sector and the broader economy.
Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, and national Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Jane Sithole, addressed the gathering. Minister Meyer emphasised the essential role of guidance and support in building an inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector. He also reiterated his commitment to inclusive economic growth through entrepreneurship.
The Minister acknowledged the critical role of officials within the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, specifically CFO Lindi Govender and Deputy Director General, Dr Ilse Trautmann, in supporting women entrepreneurs. He expressed his appreciation for their efforts in building an inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector.
The awards aim to mainstream the role of women in agriculture as key stakeholders in South Africa's economic transformation. Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, Head of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, stated that the awards recognise outstanding women across the agricultural value chain. These women are not just cultivating the land but also hope, innovation, and resilience.
The event's theme was "Accelerating Action for All Women's Rights, Equality and Empowerment." The winners of the awards included Adre Prins, Zokhanya Bikani, Yumna Monier, and Debbie Theunissen. Yumna Monier of Wildplum Growers was the recipient of the prize for "Best Commercial Producer."
Minister Meyer also awarded certificates of acknowledgement for exceptional leadership to Wendy Petersen and Mariette Kotze. He concluded his address by saying, "Today, we honor women who are cultivating not only the land but also hope, innovation, and resilience."
Deputy Minister Sithole encouraged women to continue writing their own stories. She emphasised the importance of women's role in job creation, food security, and the economy. The Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025 are a testament to women's contributions to these areas.
This year, 43 entries were received across four categories: Best Female Worker, Best Subsistence Producer, Best Smallholder Producer, and Best Commercial Producer. Women in agriculture are turning small plots into thriving enterprises and cooperatives into thriving engines of local growth. The awards are a significant step towards mainstreaming the role of women in agriculture and recognising their invaluable contributions.
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