Date: 10/10/2003
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Molewa: North West Female Farmer of the Year awards ceremony


MESSAGE OF SUPPORT BY THE NORTH WEST MEC FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT, MS BEE MOLEWA, AT THE 2003 NORTH WEST FEMALE FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARD CEREMONY, Civic Centre Rustenburg, 10 October 2003

Programme Director
The Honourable Premier
Dignitaries and Colleagues from other Provinces
Members of Parliament
Commissioner on Gender Equality
Honourable Mayor of Rustenburg and other Mayors
Councillors
Honourable Guests
Female Farmers Finalists
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is an honour for me to have this opportunity to address this important gathering, especially the women of our province and of South Africa.

We meet here, in the city of Rustenburg, on the occasion of an exciting and memorable event.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in his address to the nation in celebration of National Women's Day this year, President Thabo Mbeki said, "We cannot say we are making progress as a people and a nation, unless the women of our country have shelter over their heads, adequate food to feed themselves and their families."
The emancipation of women is one central strategic goal that our democratic government and state is vigorously working towards. As once observed by our president, "For a long time, we have espoused the position that the women of our country must be liberated from their triple - race, class and gender - oppression". Against the background of such an observation, government institutions and civil society at large, should work tirelessly to end this oppression.

The role of women in agriculture has for many years, been undervalued. It is for this reason that the National Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Agriculture Departments initiated the Female Farmer Competition in 1999. Women's contributions to the fight against poverty and deprivation are being recognised through this instrument. It is also meant to increase the visibility of women in the sector and to encourage them to take their rightful place as farmers and producers of food.

Today, Honourable Premier, ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to recognise that contribution of women in the agricultural sector and our society and to salute them for their industrious efforts. We gather, here acutely aware of the challenges that women are facing in our society and our resolve as government and civil society to tackle those challenges head-on.

Programme Director, the Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment has for the past few years, tirelessly facilitated the participation of women in this competition. It is also the intention of the department to ensure that these and other women benefit from the various agricultural development programmes.

I wish to pass a message of support to all the women farmers who participated in this year's competition and wish them good luck and an enjoyable evening. We salute the courage and determination they have demonstrated in what they believe in.

We pay homage to them for their skills as warriors and the resilience in the face of the overwhelming challenges. We pay homage to them because of the fortitude they showed which has made us to be Proudly South African, of whatever colour and race.

Congratulations! The North West Province and South Africa is proud of you!
Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me now to take this opportunity to introduce to you the Premier of the North West Province.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North West Provincial Government
10 October 2003