The Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA) proudly hosted the 2024 Agricultural Writers SA Awards at the Old Trafford (Centurion Lake Hotel) in Centurion, celebrating the remarkable individuals driving progress and sustainability in South Africa’s agricultural landscape.
This prestigious annual event recognises the achievements of farmers, communicators, and agriculturalists whose dedication to excellence, and resilience plays a crucial role in upholding food security across the country.
Speaking from the event, Lindi Botha, chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA, said that these awards underscore the importance of agriculture to South Africa’s economy and society. “Recognising trailblazers, those who embody the spirit of innovation, community, and environmental stewardship, plays an important role in setting the tone for the future. It is clear that South Africa has been blessed with leaders across multiple fields that we know will lead South Africa into another decade of world-class agricultural production.”
During the event the Agricultural Writers SA National Farmer, New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture, and Agriculturalist of the Year for 2024 were named. They were chosen from the group of provincial winners, announced in October this year.
The winners are:
Farmer of the Year: Andre Brink
New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year: Thulani Magida
Agriculturalist of the Year: Prof Driekie Fourie
Dawie Maree, head of information and marketing at FNB Agriculture and one of the event’s main sponsors, said that awarding those in agriculture was an honour, since this industry was the backbone of the economy. “To all the winners in the various categories, thank you for your dedication, innovation, perseverance and hard work, which has not only contributed to food security and economic growth, but also set a benchmark for excellence in agriculture. Your commitment to sustainable farming practices and community development is truly inspiring. May your success inspire many more to follow in your footsteps.”
Andries Wiese, national business development manager at Hollard and one of the event sponsors, noted that the awards rightly recognised excellence. “These men and women toil not for the recognition, but for the immense pleasure they derive from farming, the sense of accomplishment when another crop or product is successfully delivered to the market. When a community thrives because of their efforts then these awards become recognition of the collective stewardship of farmers. We do this with an immense sense of gratitude towards every farmer, agriculturalist and new entrant to agriculture.”
This year a special award was given to renowned vet Dr Faffa Malan. Known as Dok Faffa, he has played a pivotal role in advancing animal health in South Africa, both in commercial herds, as well as advising and educating upcoming farmers.
THE WINNERS
Farmer of the Year: André Brink, Groot Phesantekraal Boerdery Trust
Brink runs a well-diversified farming business consisting of crops, cattle, sheep and wine on the outskirts of Durbanville. The fourth and fifth generation of the Brink family, André Brink and his sons Rennie and Jeandre, are at the helm of the farm today.
New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the year: Thulani Magida, Juta Agritech
Magida is a vegetable and pig farmer, in Qonce in the Eastern Cape, proving that success can be achieved on communal land. His farming business doesn’t stop at cultivation and livestock – it’s a comprehensive operation offering agri-consulting services to new-era farmers, focusing on budgeting, cash flow management, and business planning.
Agriculturalist of the Year: Prof Driekie Fourie
Armed with a passion for agricultural science and a PhD in Nematology from the University
of Leuven in Belgium, Prof Driekie Fourie has dedicated her career to studying nematodes and their impact on crop health. She is world-renowned for her knowledge of nematodes and widely recognised as the go-to person with regard to anything related to nematodes in the agricultural industry in South Africa.
EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATION
AWSA also paid tribute to those who champion the stories of our fields, farms, and people, ensuring the voices of agriculture are heard, respected, and celebrated.
Several awards were given in this regard:
FNB Communicator of the year
Print: Glenneis Kriel, Farmer’s Weekly
Digital: Louise Brodie and Dewald Kirsten, Lucentlands
Broadcast: Ronel Botha, Brand Republic
CropLife South Africa Crop Protection Article Award: Glenneis Kriel, Farmer’s Weekly
CropLife South Africa Biotechnology Article Award: Mariana Purnel
For the second year in a row, the BKB Photo Competition named Dewald Kirsten as the Agricultural Photographer of the Year. He also took the Agricultural Photo of the Year.
Case IH Mechanisation, Data and Technology Award: Marisa Beeton and Gerrit Bezuidenhout.
Issued on behalf of the Agricultural Writers SA
