The Agri Worker of the Year competition celebrated its 12th anniversary this year — an initiative that began in De Doorns and has since grown into a provincial celebration of agricultural workers’ dedication and hard work. With the support of the Department of Agriculture and Development, the competition has gained momentum each year and has become a platform to honour the people behind our foodproduction. Since the inception in 2002, the competition has grown significantly now involving 16 regions, participating 11 categories with total of 1393 for this year, says Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, HOD Western Cape Department of Agriculture.
Goedgedacht Leads the Way in Swartland
This year was especially significant for Goedgedacht: our Social Development Department was appointed as the regional coordinator for the Swartland. Under the leadership of Anna Nonbangela, our team hit the dusty roads — from farm to farm, as far as Org de Rac on the border of Swartland and Bergrivier — to raise awareness and recruit participants. Farm managers and workers were encouraged to take part, and the response was overwhelming.
A Celebration of Hard Work
The competition aims to honour agricultural workers for their daily sacrifices — from early mornings to late evenings in the fields, packing sheds, livestock production, and other roles that ensure everything runs smoothly. This year, 52 participants from 12 farms in the Swartland region were entered, nominated by their colleagues and managers.
Interviews were conducted at Goedgedacht in preparation for the selection process. A panel consisting of representatives from the Department of Agriculture and local agricultural leaders evaluated the participants.
Regional Awards and Pride
The official regional awards ceremony was held at Goedgedacht, with Shoprite as the main sponsor and several local supporters in attendance. Two of our own staff members, Jacques Williams; Administrative Staff and Jonathan Moloy; Irrigation Specialist, porgressed to the final round in their respective categories — an achievement we are extremely proud of.
The Grand Finale and Future Dreams
The Gala Evening took place on 1 November 2025, where two participants from the Swartland were named winners in their respective categories at the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards Gala Evening at Eureka Estate, Durbanville. It was a full program where Ministers gathered to celebrate the occasion and honour the workers. The Minister of Agriculture and Economic Development, Dr. Ivan Meyer, was the keynote speaker. He noted that the finalists in this remarkable competition represent 243,000 agri workers in the Western Cape and expressed his gratitude to each one for their critical role in the food production chain.
Marise Cloete, our social worker, described the experience as incredibly meaningful.
She witnessed firsthand how workers’ self-esteem was strengthened and how their hard work was acknowledged. She looks forward to greater participation and impact in the coming years, especially in the Swartland.
Jonbenay Prins, our Social Work student, found it inspiring to see how many women participated and won awards — in an industry often seen as male-dominated. For the second consecutive year, a young woman walked away with the title. Shannon Robertson, The Assistant Livestock Manager at Boschendal, who was the overall winner of the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards 2025. She will soon travel overseas with the Minister of Agricultural Development to visit two countries in the agri-industry and has been given the opportunity to further her studies at the Stellenbosch Business School.
This competition is more than just awards — it is a movement that restores dignity, celebrates stories, and shapes the future of agricultural workers.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
We extend heartfelt appreciation to Kloovenburg, Darling Romery, Swartland Winery, and Org De Rac for your continued support.