Media Alert: Launch of 2013 Western Cape Farmworker of the Year Competition

Friday, 14 June is the official launch of the 2013 Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year Competition. Shoprite, the official sponsor for  the competition, is contributing  R750 000 this year and the total cost of the competition will be R1.5 million. The overall winner will receive close to R100 000 during the gala event in November 2013.

 

The competition has been growing each year since its inception in 2002. This year will see more than 1 100 entrants from 15 regions competing for top laurels. This represents a 10% growth in entries since 2012. The 2013 competition also sees a new category, Social Development, which has been created to facilitate entries form health and crèche workers.

 

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Gerrit van Rensburg is urging all role players in the agricultural sector to get involved in this year’s competition. He said in the light of the unrest the province experienced in 2012, it is more important than ever before to give recognition to the farm workers of the Western Cape. He said the competition is still the only government initiative in South Africa that recognises the invaluable role farm workers play in our society and economy.