The Western Cape Government, in partnership with Shoprite, are set to celebrate the stars of the province’s agricultural sector.

The 2015 Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year Competition will be launched on Tuesday 26 May 2015 at the Manor House, Elsenburg.  The competition, with various heats leading up to the main event, will see prizes awarded to top agricultural employees in the order of R2.4 million.

One of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s flagship events, the competition was launched in 2002 by the Hex Valley Table Grape Association.
Since then, it has grown receiving 1 057 entries from 15 regions in 2014. The competition is co-sponsored by Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Shoprite.

Previous winners have won cash prizes and oversea trips.
Wimpie Paulse, the 2012 winner, said his overseas trip gave him first-hand experience of the importance of market access.
Paulse said he had the opportunity to network and benchmark local products with overseas offering.
Karools Paulse, the 2013 winner, said he had a better understanding of the business process in the sector and was focused on fostering good relations between employees and farm owners. He has also been selected as a motivational speaker at several events.

Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, said the agricultural sector, with its link to agri-processing, was one of the Western Cape’s focus areas for the next five years.
“This initiative celebrates excellence in the agricultural sector. It also highlights the career opportunities in agriculture and agri-business.”

The overall winner will receive a total prize of R100 000 during a gala event on 13 November 2015.
The first regional winner will be announced on the 30th of July 2015 in the Witzenberg region, which includes the towns of Ceres, Tulbagh, Wolseley, Prince Alfred Hamlet, and Op-die-Berg.

DETAILS:

DATE:              26 May 2015
VENUE:           Manor House, Elsenburg
TIME:              13:00 pm

ENDS

For media queries, kindly contact:

Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson: Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities
Western Cape Government

2nd Floor, Protea Assurance Building, Cape Town

Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
Email:bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za
Twitter: bronwynnejooste