The Annual AFASA Young Farmers Summit was not only an opportunity to share knowledge and to network. It was also an opportunity to honour and to celebrate the influential young farmers of the past year who are blazing the trail for the future of agriculture.
The awards ceremony was held on Thursday night (25 November 2021) and ended the first of the two summit days on a high note.
In his opening remarks, keynote speaker Mike Gcabo encouraged the young farmers and expressed his pride in their achievements thus far. “The work that the youth are doing is exceptional.”
Gcabo is a well-known game farming entrepreneur and AFASA executive member, and was also honoured with a certificate of mentorship.
In honour of Dr Vuyo Mahlati
The highlight of the evening was the special awards given in honour of the late Dr Vuyo Mahlati. These awards, named after a trailblazer in the agricultural sector who passed away a year ago, were awarded to young farmers who truly stood out and made an impact this year.
The following winners were announced:
- Ncumisa Mkabile as newcomer of the year
- Devroll Boitumelo Legodi for the young start-up of the year
- Morena Khashane as young farmer of the year
ALSO READ: Morena Khashane: Young fish farmer believes Tilapia is the future
Certificates of appreciation
Certificates of appreciation were awarded to the office bearers of AFASA for supporting AFASA Youth so diligently, and to all the AFASA Youth provincial representatives:
- Boitmelo Matsaba (North West)
- Seboliashi Mabeba (Limpopo)
- Katlego Kgopotse (Gauteng)
- Mxolisi Mthombeni (Mpumalanga)
- Mlungisi Bushula (Eastern Cape)
ALSO READ: Celebrate with Ncumisa – she’s expanding!
The evening ended on an emotional note with the honouring of AFASA Women’s Desk chairperson Ntuthu Mbiko-Motshegoa, who made a moving closing speech putting young women at the core of agriculture.”
The second and final day of the summit (Friday, 26 November 2021) included speakers from Cheeba Africa to discuss cannabis, as well as a younger farmers’ dialogue panel discussion.
ALSO READ: AFASA summit: ‘2022 might be a better year for farmers’
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