Western Capefarm Workerof Theyearcompetition: 2013

WESTERN CAPEFARM WORKEROF THEYEARCOMPETITION: 2013

Thecompetitionwas initiated in order toacknowledgethevaluableandimportantcontributionthat farm workersmake to thesustainabilityandgrowthoftheagricultural sector in South Africa.

It is thevisionoftheWestern CapeDepartmentofAgricultureto first present thecompetitionat provinciallevel and then at national level.

1.Background

With the financial support of Sanlam, thecompetition was initiated in 2002 in the Hex Valley,by the Hex Valley Table Grape Association. In 2005,theWestern CapeDepartmentofAgriculturebecame a co-sponsor ofthecompetitionandthecompetition was then registered. The competitiongrew from 36 entries in theHex Valleyin 2002 totheparticipationof15 regions with887entries in 2012. Shoprite started to support the competition financially in 2012 andShoprite and theWestern CapeDepartmentofAgricultureare now co-sponsors ofthecompetition.

2.Categories

GeneralWorker

Tractor Driver

AdministrativePersonnel

Animal Production

TechnicalOperator

Irrigation Specialist

SocialDevelopment * (newcategory)

Junior Management

Middle Management

Senior Management

NB: Awinner, runner-upandsecondrunner-upare selected in each category. (Seealso the descriptionofeachcategoryonpage 5.)

3. Nominations

Allfarm workers mayparticipate. A farm worker is anypersonwho forms partofandmakes acontributionto farming. Theemployer, management/farm committeeorfellow workerscannominate farm workersforthecompetition.

4.Entries

Someregionschargeasmallentry fee (R20) to help cover thecostsoftheprize-giving function. Eachentrymust be accompanied by afulljob descriptionofthefarm worker. Farm workers,who were entered the previous year, may be entered again. A winner in aspecificcategorymaynot participate again thefollowingyear in the samecategory, but may participate in a higher category. A winner in ahighercategory (Senior Management) mayonly participate again afterthreeyears.

5. Motivation

A shortmotivationforthenomination should be written on the attached form. Adjudicators must pleasepay attention to thequalifications ofthepersonin relationto the position that he/she has attained– we have come across apersonwithaGrade 5 qualificationwho is a farm manager! Hence, if thepersonhas averylowqualification,but occupies a good position onthefarm, he/she should, therefore, obtain averygood mark for this achievement and it should not count against him/her. Upon receiptoftheentries,eachfarmwill receiveacode. This is to prevent the adjudicatorsfrom identifying the farms when they consider the merit of the entries. Candidates may not display the name or logo of the farm on their clothing or otherwise.

6.Adjudicators

A panelofat leastfive (5)adjudicators is compiled of experts on thesubjectsoftheir choice in theirfieldof expertise (what is applicablein one field, may not necessarily beapplicableto another).Adjudicators must ascertain thespecific fields of speciality of the participants. Ensure that the cultural and gender composition of the panel is acceptable. Take note: An interpreter is essential during theinterviews should entries be received in any of the indigenouslanguages. It is essential that the adjudicators have astrongchairpersonto ensure thatnoinfluencingordiscussionofparticipants occurs, except in thecaseofa tie.

Should there be a tie, asecondinterviewwithnewquestions must be heldandonenewadjudicatorshould be included in order to reach a decision.

7.Questionsposed toparticipant during anInterview

Questionscanbe compiled onsubjectswithin anagricultural context,such ashealth (AIDS, FAS, TB, etc.), blackempowerment, communication, transformation, vision for the future, food safety, labour law, training (literacy), productivity, etc. Thequestionscanbe sent to Danie Niemand oftheWestern CapeDepartmentofAgriculture two weeks before the adjudicationto be checked and to be referred to technicalexperts at theDepartment.

Questionsshould preferably be set byonepersonto ensure confidentiality.He/shemay enlist the help of experts to compile thequestions. Each adjudicatorwill only knowwhat his/herownquestion is andwill hear thequestions of the other adjudicators for the first time on the day oftheajudication. The correct answers to technical questions are made known to them at that stage.In the case of theoretical questions, thechief adjudicator is expected to give objective guidance in this regard. These questions can be discussed beforehand.

Questions on the various topics are asked at varying levels of complexity, i.e. the same questions become progressively more difficult as the category moves up. However, the way in which the questions are worded MUST be the same for each participant in the same category

Explanationsofthequestionsare not allowed at all forMiddleand Senior Management. Theduration of the interviewslast about15 minutes per person. Those of Middleand Senior Managementcanbe of a longer duration.

8.ProcessingofScores

Threepeopleprocessandcontrolthecounting ofscores (not adjudicators ortheemployersofparticipants). An adjudicatormay notbe presentat theinterviewifoneofhis/herowncandidates is participating (adjudicators should preferably not nominate people). Try to keep the sameteamof adjudicatorsfor each category.

9.Acknowledgement (Trophies/Prize Money)

Eachparticipantreceivesacertificate. The winner, runner-up and 2nd runner-up in each category receive a cash prize. The runner-up and 2nd runner-up receive a certificate in a clip frame. Thewinner in each category,as well astheoverallwinner per region,receives atrophy.

Farm WorkeroftheYear (region):R1 700

Winner (per category):R1 500

Runner-up (per category):R900

2ndRunner-up (per category):R700

Meghan Cupido and Erika Manho-Damons at theWestern CapeDepartmentofAgriculture will handle the above. To have the certificates printed and the trophies made, please use the attached form to submit the required details at least two to three weeks ahead of time. Pleaseensure thattheparticipants’ names arespelled correctly.

Merit awards will be allowed. Eachregionwill make its own decisions in this regard andwill also be responsible forthecostofthesetrophies. Should aregionwish to add anextra category,orpresent anyotherformofacknowledgementat theregional competition, finalapproval/permission must be obtained from Danie Niemand.

10.Function

Theannouncementofthewinners is made at an exceptionally elegant function. The Western CapeDepartmentofAgriculturewill contribute thefollowingamounts forthefunction(VAT included):

• 0–30 participants: R20 000+ R2 000 (administration fee).
• 31–70 participants: R25 000 + R2 000(administration fee).
• 70+ participants: R30 000 + R2 000 (administration fee).

Your function should be arranged within the scope of these funds, otherwise any excess will be for your account.

Othersponsorsare allowed andmayadvertise by means of their own banners. However, the onus is on the regionswhether they want to allow these sponsor a speaking opportunity during the function. Only sponsorswho are not in competition with the main sponsors – BMW, Agri, etc. – are allowed.

If you wish to invite Minister van Rensburgto thefunction, this mustbe timeously arranged by Danie Niemand’s office. Include farm workers in theprogrammeforthe evening, e.g. as master of ceremonies.

11.Awarding of Prizes

Prizes are awarded from third to first place. At the end of the ceremony, as the highlight of the evening, thewinners in each category will make an impromptu speech.

12.Media

Invite the media to thefunction to try to get as much press coverage as possible. Thepositive aspects ofthecompetitionmean a great deal to agriculture in theWestern Cape. After their competition, eachregionis responsible for providing Agriculture: Western Cape with photographs and copies of all mediacoverage (cuttings from newspapers).

Attached is an example ofa memorandumto announce thecompetition, anomination form, an adjudicator’s formandan order form forcertificates/trophies.

ProvincialCompetition

Participants:

• Allcategory winners (1stplace per category);
• bestpotentialnominations; and
• regional winners.

Eachcategory winner receives:

• R3 000 prize money;
• aframedcertificate;and
• atrophy.

The best potentialwinner receives:

• R10000 prize money;
• aframedcertificate;and
• atrophy.

The overallwinner (Western CapeFarm WorkeroftheYear) receives:

• R20 000 prize money;
• aframedcertificate;
• atrophy;
• astudy course sponsored by theUniversity of Stellenbosch to the valueof

R20000; and

• an overseas study tour sponsored by theWestern Cape: DepartmentofAgricultureto the valueof R50 000

The overall winner also becomes a member of Minister Gerrit van Rensburg’s Prestige Farm Worker Forum. This forum meets with Minister on a quarterly basis to discuss farm worker related issues.

DESCRIPTIONOFEACHCATEGORY

GeneralWorker

Someone who can perform all tasks at grassroots level.

AdministrativePersonnel

This could include someone who

-mans an office full-time;

-does office administration;

-operates a loading bridge;

-operates a stock room; or

-operates a packing store

TechnicalOperator

This person is aspecialistwith atechnicalfunction.

Thiscouldinclude

-a pest control officer;

-an orchard monitor;

-a cellar worker; or

-a mechanic.

Irrigation Specialist

This is apersonwho is responsible forallirrigation activities, whether manually or by computer/electronically.

Tractor Driver

Thispersondrives thetractorinthefields.

Animal Production

Thisperson is responsible forthecare ofsmalland large stock.

SocialDevelopment *

This is apersonwho is involved in thesocialdevelopmentoffarm workers andtheir families.

Thiscouldinclude

-a crèche worker;

-a healthworker;

-an after-carefacilitator; or

-a community worker.

Junior Management

Thisperson is responsiblefor the

-maximumweekly planning;

-dailyadministration.

e.g. team leader, supervisor

Middle Management

Thisperson reportsto the Senior Manager andhas thefollowingresponsibilities:

-financial;

-managing ofsupervisors;

-monthly planning;

-management; or

-technical.

Senior Management

Thispersonmanagesasection oforanentire farmand hasthefollowingresponsibilities:

-budgeting;

-strategic planning;

-external contact/liaison function (PRO); or

-strong emphasis onleadership characteristics.

MEMORANDUM: 2013 FARM WORKEROFTHEYEAR-COMPETITION

The Management of ……………………….. hereby invitesalltheproducers in this region to participate in theWestern CapeFarm WorkeroftheYearcompetition. The proven success ofthecompetition in theHex Valley, Langeberg, Witzenberg and BergRiverregions has motivated us to also offer farm workers in our region a competition and function to say thank you.

NOMINATIONS

Producers, fellow farm workers orfarm committees cannominate participants.

Note:Who qualifies for nomination? Anypersonwho works onafarm.

CATEGORIES:

Senior Management

Middle Management

Junior Management

GeneralWorker

AdministrativePersonnel

Irrigation Specialist

TechnicalOperator

Tractor Driver

Animal Production

SocialDevelopment*(newcategory)

Take Note:

Persons, who were entered the previous year, may enter again but winners may only be entered in a higher category.

Management reserves the right to withdraw a category in the event of there not being enough entries in that specific category. A categorywill only warrant inclusion in thecompetitionifaminimum offive (5) entriesis received forthat category. We try to keep the competition as inclusive as possible, but we also have to take the availability of funds into account as the prizes and trophies for each category cost a considerable amount of money. Remember, only oneperson per category per farmcan be entered. This means thatyou might have to follow an internal elimination process.

NOMINATION FORM

WESTERN CAPEFARM WORKEROFTHEYEAR 2013

Mustreach officeat fax number……………………

or e-mail………………………….. before ……………..

(the date should beat leastonemonth beforetheadjudication)

Category:______

Nameofnominee:______

Address:______

Contact number: ______Number of years’ service onfarm:______

Qualifications:______

Entry fee: ______

Motivationfornomination (why is this personbeing nominated?)

Pleaseattach aseparate job description:

Nominated by:______

Address:______

Contact number: ______

ExampleofADJUDICATION FORM

Take Note: Thenumbers afterthe namesare the codes that have been allocated to the farms. On no account may adjudicators know from whose farmtheentry has come. Participants mayalso not display the logo or name of the farmon hats, shirts, etc.Theinterviewslast approximately 10 to 15 minute per person. This is long enough andthechairpersonmustensure thatinterviews do not exceed this time. Participantscanbe called back iftwoor moreof them achieve the samemarks.

Each question is worth 5 points, except for

nominations and personal impressions, which are worth 10 points.

AdministrativePersonnel – 5 Mayat 16:15

Name / Q1 / Q 2 / Q3 / Q4 / Q 5 / Q 6 / Q 7 / Nomination Form
Personal Impressions / Total
Jacinda Isaacs
4
Katrina Arendse
36
Cathlone Beerwinkel 2
Doronevan Wyk 3
Sophie Smit 7

PARTICULARSFORCERTIFICATES/TROPHIES : FORM

Western Cape Farm WorkeroftheYear2013:Regional Competition

REGION:Berg River
NAME: Jack Wittles
TITLE: Chairperson
ORGANISATION:Berg River Table Grape Association
Thisinformation appears onthecertificate. Provide the information in both English and Afrikaans as certificatesare bilingual
Category / Name / Surname / Placement
GeneralWorker / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
AdministrativePersonnel / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
Irrigation Specialist / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
TechnicalOperator / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
Tractor Driver / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
SocialDevelopment / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
Junior Management / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
Middle Management / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
Senior Management / Winner
Runner-up
2ndRunner-up
Participant
Participant
Farm WorkeroftheYear

1