Agri’s Got Talent (AGT), South Africa’s unique singing competition for farmworkers, is back for its 12th season – and entries are officially open. If you work in the fruit, wine, or citrus industries and love to sing, this could be your chance to shine.
But AGT is more than just a singing contest. It’s a life-changing journey that helps farm workers build confidence, learn new skills, and uplift their communities.
The programme is supported by Hortgro, the Citrus Growers’ Association, South Africa Wine, South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), and the Western Cape department of agriculture. It is open to all workers in the deciduous fruit, table grape, citrus, and wine industries across South Africa.
Finalists in AGT 2025 will enjoy professional voice and social media training, attend self-development workshops, and receive makeovers. They will also participate in an exciting training week from 14 to 19 September 2025 in the Western Cape.
The week will end with a glamorous gala event, where the top 10 finalists will perform on stage in front of judges and a live audience.
Over the years, many participants have gone on to achieve incredible things. One of them is Victor Fredericks, a production foreman at Speenvlei farm in Wolseley. He’s not only a singer but also an author and songwriter.
Fredericks was a top 10 finalist in AGT 2018 and performed at the show’s 10-year reunion concert in 2023 at the Afrikaanse Taalmonument Amphitheatre. Since then, he has joined the ATKV mentorship programme and recorded songs like “Boland Blues” and “Blackberry Juice & Jin.”
He says AGT was a great starting point for his creative journey. “Don’t let your circumstances hold you back,” says Fredricks. “Use every opportunity, believe in yourself, and work hard.”
Another inspiring story is that of Jason Baartman, a production assistant at Laastedrift in Ceres. After competing in AGT, he was selected for the ATKV-Crescendo programme in 2023 and returned to AGT as a mentor and judge.
He has also performed twice at the Woordfees festival with Frieda van den Heever and appeared on stage with well-known artists like Emo Adams and Koos Kombuis at the Oesfees festival.
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In 2025, he entered the Suidoosterfees competition, walking away with valuable friendships and creative partnerships.
“There are so many people who believe in me and my music,” says Baartman. “I can’t give up now. Grab hold of your dreams because if you wake up, they’re gone.”
Chanthel Boonzaaier, first runner-up in AGT 2024, has taken her talent overseas. She is now performing in Greece as part of a group called Legends, singing Whitney Houston hits alongside artists paying tribute to Wilson Pickett and Lionel Richie.
Boonzaaier says the AGT training week was a moment of transformation that helped her gain clarity and confidence. “AGT helped me see the person I strive to be,” she says.
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AGT celebrates diversity, pride, and talent in South Africa’s agricultural sector.
Contestants are encouraged to sing in their home languages and can choose any music genre, whether it’s pop, gospel, R&B, rap, or classical. Whether you sing in the vineyard, in the packhouse, at church, or even in the shower, AGT wants to hear your voice.
Entries for Agri’s Got Talent 2025 close on Thursday, 31 July 2025. To enter, send a voice note of up to three minutes via WhatsApp to 082 372 1577, or email your recording to info@agrisgottalent.com.
Entrants should include their full name, date of birth, cellphone number, name of their farm, cellar or packhouse, job description, how long they’ve worked there, nearest town, their supervisor’s name and cellphone number, and where they heard about AGT.For more information, visit Agri’s Got Talent on Facebook or at www.agrisgottalent.com. You can also email info@agrisgottalent.com.
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