“Farming can be a lonely journey, but tonight I feel surrounded by love,” said Thulani Magida, who won the 2024 New Entrant into Commercial Farming Award for the Eastern Cape. The award was presented during a prestigious ceremony at the Durbanville Hills wine estate, where the !Xhariep region of Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA) honoured farmers and agriculturalists.
The event highlighted the diversity and strength of the agricultural sector in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape. The winners will now advance to compete in AWSA’s national awards ceremony, which will be held next month in Pretoria..
As the owner of Juta Agritech in Qonce, Magida has transformed 28 hectares of communal land into a productive farm, growing high-demand crops like butternut, pumpkin, cabbage, and potatoes, alongside a piggery.
“Farmers are a special breed. Starting a farming business is tough,” he shared, adding that his passion for agriculture required many personal sacrifices, including farming 300 km away from his wife.
Magida, who was nominated for the award by Food For Mzansi journalist Patricia Tembo, said that access to finance remains his biggest challenge. Initially, banks viewed his business as too risky, so he relied on his pension savings to keep the farm running. However, as his work gains recognition, banks are now starting to take notice of his success.
Celebrating community impact in farming
Sheena Paulus, the owner of Tri Toad Nursery in Philippi, Cape Town, was visibly moved when she was announced as AWSA’s 2024 New Entrant into Commercial Farming winner for the Western Cape.
Founded in 2022, Tri Toad Nursery has quickly become a key player in the commercial seedling and plant industry, supplying high-quality seedlings to major retailers and standing out for its innovative use of vertical hydroponic systems.
Paulus has donated over two million seedlings to nonprofits and schools, promoted food security, and expanded her team to 12 full-time staff, with plans for a solar-powered greenhouse and ventures into the cannabis industry.
“The award came as a surprise,” Sheena said tearfully while accepting the honour. “It’s been two years in this industry, and I’ve only recently started receiving recognition for the work we do. Everything we do is for the community, our staff, and their empowerment.”
Paulus was nominated by Food For Mzansi co-founder Ivor Price. She thanked AWSA for acknowledging the contributions of women in agriculture, who are often still overlooked, as it gives her hope for the road ahead, knowing she is supported.
Agricultural Researcher of the Year
In another powerful moment of the !Xhariep regional awards ceremony, Dr Erna Blancquaert was honoured as AWSA Agricultural Researcher of the Year.
As a viticulture academic, researcher, and lecturer at Stellenbosch University, she is the first black female to earn a PhD in Viticulture on the African continent. Her pioneering contributions have made her a key figure in advancing grapevine and wine sciences.
Blancquaert’s expertise in grapevine stress physiology is crucial for tackling the challenges posed by climate change. Through her innovative research, she equips farmers with essential tools to adapt to unpredictable conditions, enhancing sustainability and productivity in the South African wine industry.
Her pioneering work with seaweed extracts as bio-stimulants demonstrates her commitment to sustainable agriculture, improving grapevine health while helping farmers reduce their environmental footprint.
Also nominated by Price, Blancquaert is also actively involved in industry initiatives like the Deciduous Fruit Industry’s Development Trust, ensuring her research translates into practical insights. Her leadership in international collaborations, such as the VitaGlobal project, highlights her influence in global viticulture education and research.
With accolades like the Fulbright African Research Scholar Award and the Golden Vines Master of Wine Scholarship, she solidifies her status as a thought leader, inspiring new generations of viticulturists through her published work in prestigious international journals.
A legacy of growth
The big winner of the night was André Brink from the Groot Phesantekraal Boerdery Trust in Durbanville, who was honoured as AWSA Farmer of the Year. This remarkable achievement elevates him to the ranks of the nation’s top commercial-scale farmers.
Brink, along with his sons Rennie and Jeandré, has transformed the farm from 350 hectares in 1996 to 4 650 hectares of owned land, plus 850 hectares leased.
The operation includes 2 500 hectares of small grains, 1 500 hectares of medic pasture, 180 hectares of vineyards, and a 500-tonne wine cellar. Livestock has also grown to 3 500 Dohne Merino ewes and 400 Hereford cows.
Brink was nominated by Hugo Lochner of Plaas Media.
Call for unity in agriculture
In his address, Peter Pentz, chairperson of !Xhariep Agricultural Writers SA, emphasised the importance of cooperation in agriculture.
“Collaboration is the foundation of growth in agriculture. By working together, we can not only solve problems but also create new opportunities. Agriculture is a collective effort, not an individual pursuit. It flourishes through the shared contributions of farmers, researchers, policymakers, and the private sector.
“Let us commit ourselves to building stronger partnerships, for it is through unity that we will truly thrive.”
Meanwhile, Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, noted the importance of agriculture in the Western Cape, in particular.
“According to the most recent data, the agriculture sector contributes R73 billion towards the province’s economy. Primary agriculture contributes 4% to the provincial economy and secondary agriculture 7%.
“Totalling more than 11%, this emphasises the massive value of the entire agricultural value chain and the industry’s contribution to job creation,” he said.
Strydom added that agriculture in the province was in good shape, despite recent weather-related challenges.
READ NEXT: Poultry farming: Essential insights to boost your production
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
