Toog Vermaak took the title of Toyota SA National Young Auctioneer of the Year at the finals held at Nampo Cape in Bredasdorp last week.
Photo: Lindi Botha
The competition offers career-boosting opportunities for young auctioneers and promotes youth involvement in the industry.
Vermaak beat four other finalists to the punch. Competing against him were Kevin Olivier, Pietman Oosthuizen, Christie van Schalkwyk, and Pieter Viljoen. Appie Maritz and Dewe Giliomee were the judges.
In a mock auction, each participant had to auction two lots, one stud and one slaughter animal. They were judged on their livestock knowledge, appearance, auctioneer personality, and their ability to achieve a high bid. Clarity of voice was also taken into consideration.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Maritz said that while all the contestants had the potential to become good auctioneers, Vermaak stood out for his “unbelievable confidence and commanding presence behind the podium”.
“We appreciated that he includes the audience in the process, stopping to engage specific buyers in between calling out the bids. He speaks clearly, has a good rhythm, and has the makings of an excellent auctioneer,” Maritz added.
Vermaak has been an auctioneer since 2022. “My mom always said I talk a lot, so I thought it would make a good career choice,” Vermaak jested shortly after securing his win.
Hailing from Mokopane in Limpopo, he worked on a livestock farm after school. When Swiftvee offered him the opportunity to try his hand at auctioneering in 2022, he grabbed it. Since January 2025, he has been working for Vleissentraal as an auctioneer.
Vermaak will take part in the Calgary Stampede International Livestock Auctioneer Competition in Canada next year. He will compete against other young national auctioneer winners from around the world.
