Agri queen slays in fruit industry and on pageant stage

Wilechia van der Westhuizen is proof that you can do it all. Balancing her role as a mum with her passion for agriculture, she’s making waves not just as Hortgro’s trade development manager but also as a finalist for Mrs South Africa 2024.

From Monday to Friday, Van der Westhuizen can be found playing a crucial role in promoting South Africa as the premier Southern Hemisphere supplier of pome and deciduous fruits. With a background in marketing and business management from Stellenbosch and over seven years of experience in the agricultural sector, she’s a seasoned professional who truly understands the industry’s pulse.

However, she is more than just a leader in agriculture; she’s a Mrs South Africa 2024 finalist with her sights set on the crown, ready to inspire women everywhere to dream big and shine bright.

Food For Mzansi spoke with the agri queen to find out about her role in promoting South African fruit globally, her background in marketing and agriculture, and her journey to empower women while balancing career and motherhood.

Wilechia van der Westhuizen looks forward to what the future holds for South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Patricia Tembo: Queen of fruit trade, tell us a bit about your journey into agriculture…

Wilechia van der Westhuizen: I grew up in Cape Town and went to high school in Durbanville, where I still reside. I studied marketing and business management at Stellenbosch. I am a mother of two beautiful boys aged seven and eight who keep me completely on my toes, one being a micro-preemie fighter.

I have been in the agricultural industry for the last seven years and started off as a demand planner for an exporting company. I absolutely love the industry and there is a saying that once you’re in agriculture, you never leave. This has proven to be true for me. I love the networks I have established and meeting new people globally. I also love the resilience of the industry.

Why trade development in the fruit industry?

I am a trade development manager at Hortgro, so basically I develop innovative marketing campaigns to promote South Africa as the preferred Southern Hemisphere supplier of deciduous fruit. I have always wanted to play a part in driving the industry forward, and I feel that my current role, although challenging, is the best place to do this. It allows me the opportunity to develop our beautiful fruit and our beautiful country, which I am exceptionally proud of.

Competing in Mrs South Africa seems quite different from agriculture. How do the two worlds meet?

I have always loved pageants, and seeing how women transform throughout their pageant journey has always inspired me to enter. I struggled to find my confidence to pursue my dreams, but my turning point was when I saw a contestant from last year’s finals and saw how she had grown and transformed. I knew I wanted some of that magic, and that’s when I decided to take the leap of faith and enter this year. I am so happy I did.

Initially, I thought I would receive negative feedback or that people wouldn’t care, but the support from my community has been immense. I didn’t think I would be able to gather a community of people and bring them along with me on this journey, and this has made me start believing in myself and my potential. I am a proud woman in the agricultural industry, an industry known as the “industry of hope” and a significant contributor to the Western Cape economy.

I would love to highlight and inspire women to step outside their comfort zones and to give their all to achieve their goals. I also plan to visit schools in the Western Cape to provide more information on the various facets of the agricultural industry.

What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?

For me, this is only the beginning. If I were to win the Mrs South Africa title, I would use this platform to spread hope and encouragement to women, specifically in the agricultural industry, by highlighting success stories of women who have broken barriers. I would also visit schools to challenge perceptions of what the agricultural industry is. I am excited about what we have in store for the deciduous fruit industry.

What advice do you have for those who aspire to achieve what you have?

I am a big overthinker and tend to imagine the worst-case scenarios. Although entering Mrs South Africa has always been in my heart, I never thought I would come so far. My advice to women and young girls is to know their dreams are valid. If they have something they want to achieve, they should not hesitate to pursue it. They should not be afraid of failure but rather use the lessons learned as stepping stones to becoming the best version of themselves.

This journey has taught me that you often perceive yourself differently and anticipate how people will respond to you. During my journey, I haven’t received any negative comments; instead, people have been reaching out to say they are rooting for me, which has been incredible and motivates me to keep pushing forward.