By Tebogo Mabidilala
Thandi Zitha Mayor of Greater Giyani Local Municipality praised work ethic of the female farmers.
The annual and successful partnership between Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mopani District and Greater Giyani Local Municipality held another epic annual Female Farmer of the Year event that recognise and award the best female farmers in the District. The event was held on the 07th August 2025, and this was in Commemoration of the Women’s Month.
The awards have fostered a collaboration that has been spanning for years now between the department and the municipality in quest to promote inclusive farming, contributing to local food security and nutrition, outstanding performance by women in agriculture. The awards recognise women who portrayed excellency in farming and displayed higher level of innovations and sustainability. The awards also aim to bridge the historically gap in commercial farming, which was dominated by males, the prizes afford female farmers to uplift them economically and give support that is needed to make improvements. The female farmers who are candidates in the competition are community based within Giyani Local Municipality.
Dignities who attended the ceremony
Mayor Thandi Zitha of Greater Giyani local Municipality emphasised that historically this month remind us of the power that women have, in the year 1956 of this very month of August, women stood up and fought against the oppressive laws, that sprit resonates within female farmers that are nominated in the awards today, they are fearless and standing up to fight against hunger.
we appreciate and support them through this awards, the awards have gained momentum amongst majority of those in farming within our community ,we are now a brand, farming is not for the faint hearted, it requires passion, commitment and perseverance, our municipality is hosting this event with one objective to recognise the best female farmer while encouraging others to do more, we want our female farmers to have access to equipment , resources and financial support , linking them with opportunities in the markets is our priority, as government we must ensure that the value chain is achieved in farming.
The Mayor thanked the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for collaboration in all these years which is a true reflection that together we can do more, all candidates are winners because you’re a woman, lets continue to fight poverty and hunger ‘she concluded.
