Western Cape agriculture minister Dr Ivan Meyer honoured the members of the Cape Women Agricultural Association for their noteworthy work during the drought and Covid-19 pandemic.
In October this year, the association, known widely by its Afrikaans name, the Vrouelandbouvereniging (VLV), will celebrate its 92nd birthday. It is described as a women’s organisation aimed at personal growth and community service.
Meyer says women empowering themselves, other women and agricultural workers over decades, bear testimony to the VLV’s commitment to building healthy relationships in the agricultural sector. Often, their charitable work goes unnoticed.
“The distribution of pampering boxes, a source of support and inspiration to women living in drought-stricken parts of the Western Cape, has been extended to health workers fighting the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Meyer.
“Wherever I travel, I am impressed with the work and commitment of these women to help build resilient communities.”
A future-focused organisation
The minister adds that he was delighted by the VLV’s positive response to his request that it should also look at the mental health of women in rural communities. The VLV has members across the country.
“Several members are also involved in various farming activities where they assist with administration, bookkeeping, marketing, transportation, supervision and payment of salaries to workers,” says Meyer.
“They also often raise young lambs, provide catering, run farm shops, manage packaging facilities and nursery schools on farms.”
Meyer furthermore welcomes the VLV’s latest initiative to actively plant indigenous trees “as the restoration of our ecological infrastructure supports agriculture’s initiatives to mitigate the impact of climate change by introducing climate-proof practices in farming operations.”
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