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 8 categories to 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.
In his congratulatory speech DAFF Director General Mr Mike Mlengana said he is pleased and encouraged by how the department takes women empowerment seriously.
It is worth noting that Total South Africa has supported and sponsored the awards since their inception. “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 at Total South Africa.
The winners received prize money which they are encouraged to use exclusively for the activities and production of their enterprises. The programme honoured an Overall Winner Venecia Janse from Eastern Cape and also awarded winners in the following categories:
- Best Female Worker in the Sector is Lindelwa Mabuya from Western Cape
- Best Subsistence Producer in the Sector is Nthabiseng Kgobokoe from North West
- Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Smallholder is Makhosazane Sambo from Mpumalanga
- Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Processing is Mabel Motlhele from Northern Cape
- Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Commercial is Caroline de Villiers from Western Cape
- Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Export Markets is Venecia Janse from Eastern Cape
The Ministerial Award for Young Female Entrepreneur went to Candice Bostander from Northern Cape and Disabled Female Entrepreneur went to Philisa Fadana from Eastern Cape. These awards afford the Minister an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of young women and women living with disabilities who are entrepreneurs.
The reigning female entrepreneur of the year will fill the coveted position up until August 2017 when the new winner will be announced.
Pictures and profiles of the winners are available on request.
Issued by Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries