Boschendal employee named Western Cape’s top farmworker

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Boschendal’s Shannon Robertson has been named the 2025 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards (WCPAA) Overall Winner, recognising her as the province’s top agricultural worker.

Robertson, an assistant livestock manager, received the award at a gala hosted by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) on Saturday night. The event celebrated the excellence and skill of agricultural workers across the province. In her acceptance speech, Robertson said the recognition highlights the growing role of women in agriculture. “This award is a blessing. It shows that women have a place in agriculture and can lead with confidence, faith, and determination.”

Western Cape minister of agriculture, economic development and tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, congratulated Robertson and the other category winners.

“Agri workers are the heartbeat of our province’s agricultural economy,” Dr Meyer said. “Their commitment sustains food security, supports our economy, and builds resilient rural communities.”

All winners

This year’s competition attracted 1 393 participants, up from 1 233 in 2024, reflecting the sector’s increasing inclusivity and pride in excellence. The list of category winners are:

About the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards

Now in its 23^rd year, the competition forms part of the province’s Growth for Jobs strategy, aimed at promoting skills development and job creation in the agricultural sector.

The competition was launched in 2002 by the Hex Valley Table Grape Association as the Farm Worker of the Year Competition. The awards have grown into one of South Africa’s leading recognition programmes for agricultural workers. Managed by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, the competition celebrates excellence across the agricultural value chain and supports the province’s vision of inclusive growth, opportunity, and rural development. – Press release curated by Plaas Media