AgriSETA announced the winners of its prestigious Stakeholder Excellence Awards for 2025, honouring organisations that are transforming agricultural skills development across South Africa.
From innovative training providers to pioneering agripreneurs, the awards highlight excellence, accountability and impact in a sector under pressure to grow skills and expand opportunities.
Announcing the winners at a function in Durban this week, AgriSETA’s acting CEO Fanny Phetla said the awards were not merely a recognition of outputs, but a tribute to a rigorous and integrity-driven process that strengthens public trust in the sector.
“The Excellence Awards is a celebration of achievement built on a foundation of unwavering integrity and meticulous dedication by project leaders. It serves to recognise those who have successfully navigated the highest standards.
“Furthermore, the Excellence Awards is a tribute to the financial year’s cycle of integrity: the process, the people, and the profound impact it has had on them – even for the verifiers from AgriSETA’s side,” said Phetla.
Phetla explained that the verification committee was made up of a mix of employees cutting across hierarchy and from different divisions, which is transformative for the employees who undertake the role of verifiers.
“It builds pride and humility for us as public servants. These are employees who serve administrative functions at the office. It is therefore good for them to see first-hand how the grants impact and change the lives of the beneficiaries. It is the bedrock of trust and credibility that makes these awards meaningful,” he said.
This year’s winners demonstrate the depth of excellence emerging from across the agricultural value chain.
Innovative skills development project of the year
- Winner: Agri Skills Transfer (Pty) Ltd (Gauteng)
- Runner-up: RecruitAgri NPC (Mpumalanga)
Commenting on the recognition, Shaun Welmans, CEO of Agri Skills Transfer, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this honour from AgriSETA. This award is not just a recognition of our institution, but also of the hard work of our students, staff, and industry partners who have all contributed to making Agri Skills Transfer a leader in agricultural education and innovation.”
The accolade recognises the organisation’s pioneering approach to agricultural education, combining hands-on practical training, advanced technological tools, and strong industry partnerships to equip students with skills that can be immediately applied in the field.
Agri Skills Transfer is committed to immersive learning through its 11 practical enterprise development units on its college farm. Students gain experience in modern farming techniques, including precision agriculture and smart farming technologies, while engaging directly with industry experts. The institution has also developed an online learning platform, providing access to quality agricultural education for learners in remote areas across South Africa and beyond.
Leading private service provider
- Winner: Triple E Training (Gauteng)
- Runner-up: VUWA Holdings (Pty) Ltd (Limpopo)
Leading employer in skills development – Small, medium & large employer
- Winner: South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd (Gauteng)
- Runner-up: United Exports (Pty) Ltd (Western Cape)
Youth empowerment skills development
- Winner: Clarkebury Agricultural School (Eastern Cape)
Best project targeting people living with disabilities
- Winner: Scientific Roots (Pty) Ltd (KwaZulu-Natal)
Women empowerment in skills development
- Winner: DC Academy (Pty) Ltd (Limpopo)
- Runner-up: RCL Foods Limited (KZN/Gauteng)
Agripreneurship
- Winner: Wa Rona Food Enterprise Pty Ltd (Free State)
- Runner-up: Scientific Roots (Pty) Ltd (KwaZulu-Natal)
Leading Learning Institution: TVET colleges, universities & private colleges
- Winner: University of Limpopo (Limpopo)
- Runner-up: Clarkebury Agricultural School Eastern Cape)
The Stakeholder Excellence Awards form part of AgriSETA’s broader mandate to strengthen the country’s agricultural workforce by championing organisations that model transparency, sound financial management and strong development outcomes.
By lifting up the best performers, the organisation aims to encourage more sustainable projects, better skills practices and deeper collaboration among stakeholders.
As the agriculture sector navigates rapid change, the 2025 winners reflect a growing commitment to excellence across rural training institutions, private companies and emerging agripreneurs. Their leadership signals a sector determined to invest in people and build a skilled, inclusive future for South African agriculture.
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