Western Cape Agriculture announces top women in agriculture

Image Source: Fin24: From left - Essolita Poole, Ashleigh-Ann May, Viona Kapank, and Anastasia Smith.

Minister Winde congratulated the winners. "The women honoured by these awards serve as an inspiration to agriculture entrepreneurs across the Western Cape. They represent success in areas across the sector and will be valuable partners in reaching Project Khulisa's goals of adding 100,000 jobs to the agri-processing sector. I wish our winners well ahead of the national competition."

Best Female Worker - Lindelwa Mabuya, Abagold Abalone Farming, Hermanus

Lindelwa has worked at Abagold for the past 19 years. She started as a general worker and was promoted to specialist abalone spawning manager in 2000. Her work entails spawning, settling, cleaning the brood stock and feeding them.

Best Subsistence Producer - Viona Kapank, Haarlem Vroue Vereniging, Haarlem

"Haarlem Vroue Vereniging", led by Viona Kapank, is a community garden in Haarlem, tended by women farming with vegetables. The garden was started in 2013 by a group of unemployed women looking for a source of food security. They also donate to their community.

Top Entrepreneur Smallholder - Anastasia Smith, Antastasia's Fresh Farm Produce, Atlantis

Anastasia started a small vegetable farm in 2012. Since then her formal and informal markets have grown to such an extent that she had to increase her production. Anastasia stood out for her passion and dedication to her business.

Top Entrepreneur Processing - Essolita Poole, Hopefield Abattoir, Hopefield

Essolita started her business in 2001, slaughtering 800 broiler chickens per week. Her business has grown and now deals with plus minus 4,000 broiler chicken per week. In addition, the abattoir slaughters 1,000 rabbits per month and 500 other poultry such as ducks. The abattoir is the only registered Kosher abattoir in the Western Cape and also caters for the Halaal market.

Top Entrepreneur Commercial - Caroline de Villiers, Themba Trees, Elgin

Caroline started Themba Trees in 2007 as a small tree farm. Today it is a large-scale business supplying young saplings and mature trees to government departments, landscapers, farmers, wine estates, residential estates, nurseries and wholesale nurseries throughout South Africa.

Ministerial Award (Youth) - Ashley-Ann May, Latana Cheese, Oudtshoorn

Ashley-Ann is responsible for the cheese-making at Latana Cheese, a small cheese company manufacturing cheese in the traditional way. This process includes no chemicals, colourants, or taste substances. Ashley-Ann's duties include management of the planning, making the cheese, to getting it ready for the market.

The provincial winners will compete in the national event which is set to take place on 25 August in Polokwane.

Western Cape Agriculture and Economic Development