The agriculture sector’s resilience was celebrated on Friday, 14 November, during the Agricultural Writers SA awards evening, where farmers, agriculturalists, and agricultural communicators were lauded for their contribution to the sector’s success. The event took place in Worcester, Western Cape.
Photo: Agricultural Writers SA
The Farmer of the Year title went to Jan Grey of Janvos Estate in Brakfontein, Mpumalanga. A fourth-generation dairy farmer, Grey runs a diversified agricultural enterprise consisting of a 650-cow dairy, Boran cattle stud and commercial herd, apple orchards, and crop production on 3 200ha.
Grey said the business’s success is due to its diversification, but also because each division is operated independently by staff who show the same passion and dedication that he does.
“It is important to have the right partners on and off the farm. This means employing staff who are passionate about agriculture and finding the right financiers and input suppliers who share your vision,” he said.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Grey said the farming landscape changes quickly, and to be successful, one must be prepared to change with it and tackle the challenges head-on. “Indecision in a crisis is worse than making the wrong decision.”
The New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture award was posthumously presented to Nkosana Mtimkulu of Amanhle Farm in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district of North West, who passed away unexpectedly on 7 November, aged 42.
Amanhle Farm spans 53ha, producing high-value crops such as non-GMO popcorn maize, wheat, and small white beans through partnerships with Tiger Brands and PepsiCo’s Kgodiso Development Fund. Beyond his success in the field, Mtimkulu was committed to farmer development, hosting study groups and annual farmer days and creating inclusive opportunities for the youth and women in agriculture.
Dr Hendrik Smith, agronomist and soil scientist from Gauteng, received the Agriculturalist of the Year award. With more than 31 years of experience, Smith is a leader in regenerative conservation agriculture. He currently directs the Conservation Agriculture Farmer Innovation Programme at ASSET Research, building partnerships across sectors and empowering commercial and smallholder farmers in their regenerative farming journeys.
Dawie Maree, head of agriculture information and marketing at FNB, platinum sponsor of the awards, said the awards are a tribute to the remarkable achievements of those whose dedication, innovation, and resilience continue to shape the future of agriculture in South Africa.
Grey noted the importance of the agriculture sector’s success: “Agriculture has a massive role to play in the future of our country. Everywhere in the world, countries do well where agriculture grows.
“In South Africa, the success of our industry has meant the country has never had to import food to ensure food security. It is a tremendous comfort to know that our sector is able to feed our people.”
Farmer’s Weekly shines at media awards
The evening saw several awards presented to communicators in the sector.
Recipients of the FNB Communicator of the Year Awards included Farmer’s Weekly journalist Glenneis Kriel, winner in the business category; Farmer’s Weekly freelance journalist Magda du Toit, recognised for excellence in print media; Temba Msiza, digital and communications manager at Agbiz, who took home the Youth Communicator award; and Thabi Modutoane, presenter of the Ama Fama podcast, who received the award for the broadcast media category.
In the CropLife SA Awards, Kriel was honoured for writing the best crop protection article, highlighting excellence and insight in agricultural reporting. Corné Louw, senior economist at Grain SA, received a special award in recognition of his outstanding support for the crop protection industry.
In the Case IH Mechanisation, Data and Technology Awards, Farmer’s Weekly freelance journalist Lindi Botha was recognised for outstanding achievement. Botha also received the International Forum for Agricultural Journalists Star Prize for Print Media.
Speaking at the event, Botha said that every day, South African farmers and communicators prove that resilience is not just a word, but a way of life.
“These awards recognise the people who keep agriculture moving forward, whether through innovation in the field or the powerful stories that give our sector a voice,” she said.
