AGRI-BUSINESS FEMALE FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARD CEREMONY

SPEECH BY MEC NANDI MAYATHULA-KHOZA

VOORTREKKER MONUMENT, TSHWANE

23RD AUGUST 2012

Programme Director,

HOD, Mme Simangele Sekgobela,

Female Farmers Represented,

Members of the Media

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning, Dumelang, Sanibonani, Gooi More,

I am honoured to address you all during the month of August, a month in which as a nation, we commemorate the gallant revolutionary struggle of the women of 1956 who braved the winter’s chill by marching to Pretoria in protest of the inclusion of women in pass laws that controlled the movement of Africans.

As one goes through the oracles of history, the role of women in society is clear and can never be underestimated or underplayed as women are the bedrock upon which the family is built. Women are not only nurturers, but in many instances, providers of their families.

It is therefore befitting that while we celebrate those heroines of our liberation struggle we also honour the phenomenal women who daily, under very difficult and often trying circumstance, toil and till the land to ensurethey provide food for their families and communities.

Programme Director, ladies and gentlemen, the link between women and Agriculture is crucial, as Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy and women the bedrock upon which the families are built. Agriculture remains an important sector in job creation within our country. It is also through Agriculture that we are able to ensure food security for our families and communities, and guarantee that no child goes to bed hungry. It is alsothrough Agriculture that we are able to tackle the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and the growing inequality among our people and among men and women.

With this understanding, we are therefore mindful of the pivotal role the Agri-Business Women of the Year Awards play as they are aimed at celebratingall the phenomenal women involved in this critical sector.

The awards are aimed at recognizing the contribution by women in addressing the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality through agriculture.

Program Director, 2012 is also a significant year as we mark the centenary of the African National Congress (ANC), the oldest liberation movement on the African Continent. Over the century, the ANC has not only been in the forefront of the liberation struggle of African people, but it has been the torchbearer in the fight for the emancipation of women, and African women in particular. Equally important to note, is that 2012 also marks the 99th year anniversary of the infamous Native Land Act of 1913.

An oppressive law which systematically instutionalised the restriction of African people to both own and occupy land in their country.

The magnitude of this repressive law and its impact on African women still reverberates through our country and communities, 99 years later, as African women remain marginalised and hardest hit by poverty in rural areas where under very harsh conditions,they eke out an existence in their pursuit to feed their families and communities.

Programme Director, I am therefore pleased that as the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, we remain resolute in our commitment towards the total emancipation of women and these awards are testament to that resolve.

The Gauteng Provincial Government has implemented a multifaceted plan of action targeting the poor and vulnerable. One component of this plan is the involvement of women, youth and the disabled in the farming sector. In deepening their participation and recognising their contribution, the Agri-Business Woman of the Year Awards was initiated.

The Agri-Business Woman of the Year Awards is an annual event where women are rewarded for the contribution they have made in the agricultural sector. It was initiated in 1999 by the National Department of Agriculture for all the nine Provinces with the aim to empower women in agriculture by recognizing their contribution and increasing their visibility.

The project has and is still contributing increasingly towards the emancipation of women in the agricultural fraternity and it serves as a draw card for encouraging other women to be involved and participate in the sector.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this award ceremony as also happens when Women’s month is being celebrated under the theme “56 years of women united against poverty, inequality and unemployment.” An apt theme,as we continue to grapple with the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and the growing inequality. So as women within Agriculture we must collectively determine how best to address these challenges.

And I am delighted that the theme for this year’s Agri-Business Women of the Year is “Business Unusual: All hands on deck to bring changes”.A befitting theme as we realise that in order to address these challenges facing our country, it requires a different approach to ensuring that we create employment, bridge the growing inequality while curbing the poverty facing our people, especially African women.

Program Director, the Agri-Business Female Farmer Awards therefore is an important mechanism as it recognises the valuable contribution female farmers make to agriculture in South Africa. These include both established and developing farmers. Indeed these awards are very appropriate to highlight the important role women in agriculture play in building and feeding our nation.

Agriculture, as a major contributor to the economy, has unleashed an avalanche of female influence and posed a challenge to male dominance in agriculture. Another significance of the Agri-Business Female Farmer Awards is that they raise an awareness of the importance of the sustainable use of the natural resources, a critical component of agriculture as we must ensure that our natural resources are protected for us and future generations.

Program Director, allow me if you would to give a brief background of these awards and the impact they have played on women’s lives. I am delighted to announce that since their inception in 1999 to date, a total of approximately 1 900 women farmers have participated in these awards and since the introduction of the forth category for the production of food for household use in 2003, the number increased significantly.

The following are the ladies to whom the honour went to in different years since the inception of the awards:

  • In 1999 under the theme: “Women in Agriculture” Ms Maureen Chisale from Zuurbekom won for national market category.
  • In 2000 under the theme: “A Millennium Free from Hunger – Women’s Role in Promoting Food Security”, Ms Rindie Skipper won.
  • While in 2001 under the theme: “Fight Hunger to Reduce Poverty” the honour went to Ms Sabina Khoza from Zuurbekom.
  • In 2002 under the theme: “Food Security for Sustainable Development” Ms M Van Reener from Benoni was honoured.
  • And in 2003 under the theme: “International Alliance against Hunger” Ms Gugu Zwane from Dedeur received the award.
  • In 2004 under the theme: “Biodiversity for Food Security” the winner was Ms Gwen Ntsheare from Devon.
  • In 2005 under the theme: “Agriculture and inter cultural Dialogue” the honour went to Ms Erika Oberholzer from Olifantsfontein
  • In 2006 under the theme: “Age of Hope: Investing in agriculture for food security” the winner hailed from Diepsloot, and was Ms Sue Jackson.
  • In 2007 under the theme: “Renewing our Pledge – A national partnership to build a better life for all…food for all” the honour went to Ms Yvonne Lesego Molefe of Pyramid in Tshwane
  • In 2008 under the theme: “Business Unusual, All hands on deck to bring changes” the winner was Ms Thupane of Magliesberg
  • In 2009 under the theme: “Working together we can do more”, Ms Nonie Mokose of Randfontein who also won at the national level received the prize.
  • In 2010 under the theme: Business Unusual: “Working together we can do more” the honour went to Ms Karin Pretorius of Pretoria North
  • And last year 2011 under the theme: “Working together we can do more”, the winner was Ms Naomi Bogatsu of Tarlton, Magaliesberg

In closing I want to remind us that in each and every woman resides unsurpassed strength. Whatever the challenges, we find solutions and emerge stronger.

Women always show their mettle and continue to deliver on their formal and informal job responsibilities whilst excelling in their gender roles of being mothers, wives and partners.

As women we seem to find opportunities where others see risks. The recent appointment of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as Chairperson of the African Union Commission is one such opportunity presented to us as African women.

We must therefore ponder what this appointment means to us as women in Agriculture. We must consider if this appointment will result inthe opening up of markets on the Continent. What benefits will this appointment of Dr Zuma translate into opportunities within the infrastructure sector in relation to agriculture when transporting our produce throughout the continent? Opportunities are there, ours is to seize them knowing that as women we have the full backing and support of your Government.

In closing program Director, let me say to all the women in Agriculture, thank you for your meaningful contribution towards job creation, inclusive economic growth and food security. To the winners, may these awards spur you on to higher heights.

I thank you.

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