Minister Crowns Witzenberg Farm Worker of the Year 2013

Kathy January from Bronaar farm was crowned as the Witzenberg farm worker of the year last night outside Ceres.

This was the first regional round of the Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year Competition to be hosted for 2013. There are 15 regions competing this year and all regional winners will qualify for the top position of Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year, which will be announced at a gala event in October.

Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, used the opportunity to urge all stakeholders to work for positive change in the agricultural sector. “We are entering an election period, and the temptation for unrealistic promises will most certainly be there.”

He said political leaders should not make statements or instigate behaviour which is to the detriment of the agricultural sector. “Urging people to burn and destroy property amounts to treason, and we should all condemn it in the strongest possible manner if it happens again”

Van Rensburg also recommitted the Western Cape Government in its efforts to address farm worker issues. He said the Province’s12-point plan is being implemented, and once again invited people to use the 0860 142 142 hotline to report any farm worker-related issues.

The Witzenberg competition saw 78 entrants and Kathy January competed in a newly created category: Social Development Worker.

This year’s competition will see 1 100 entrants compete for the overall prize of R100 000.

The competition, with a budget of R1.5 million, is financed by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, together with Shoprite, which is contributing R750 000 as the main sponsor.