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A mascarpone, crafted by RFG Foods in Simondium, was crowned the 2025 Dairy Product of the Year at the prestigious South African Dairy Awards at Eensgezind outside Durbanville. The winning mascarpone with fig and pecan nuts, made especially for Woolworths by RFG Foods, was one of a record-breaking 1 110 dairy products from 77 manufacturers that competed in the 2025 SA Dairy Championships, the biggest and longest-running dairy competition in Africa.
A panel of 103 expert judges representing 47 companies adjudicated the entries over three days. A total of 114 products received SA Champion awards as class winners, while 30 products were honoured with the prestigious Qualité mark, the only mark of excellence in the South African dairy industry (see the full list of crème de la crème below).
“Being awarded Product of the Year in a competition of this calibre, is the ultimate accolade for any dairy producer,” says Graham Sutherland, chief judge of the SA Dairy Championships. “This rich, sweet, and indulgent dessert cheese stands out for its harmonious blend of fig and pecan nuts with smooth mascarpone. It creates a dreamy flavour experience and leaves a lasting impression.”
Robert Sudell, operations manager of RFG Foods, says their team is incredibly proud to win Product of the Year for the second time in three years. “Italian cheeses have been a speciality at RFG Foods for many years. Our artisanal cheese team, led by Kerwick Boonzaaier, are true experts, crafting cheese that are some of the best in the world. We also congratulate Agri-Expo on the 192nd SA Dairy Championships and their ongoing support of innovation and excellence.”
Breyton Milford, general manager of Agri-Expo, the host of the SA Dairy Championships since 1834, says the competition plays a major role in rewarding and recognising excellence. “This competition is about the manufacturers. It highlights the diversity of the wide range of products that we produce and put the spotlight on the major contribution this industry makes to the South African economy.”
According to Milford, this year’s record number of entries and results reflect an innovative industry and healthy competition between large manufacturers and small-scale entrepreneurs. “Congratulations to Fair Cape Dairies for winning six Qualité awards; Lactalis South Africa with four; Fairfield Dairy with three; Dalewood Fromage, Fairview, Klein Rivier Cheese, Ladismith Cheese and Lancewood, each with two; and all other deserving winners.”
Hollard Game Changer Award
Agri-Expo has awarded 31-year-old Pamella Dzindikwa, head of production at Puglia Cheese, the second annual Hollard Game Changer Award. The award includes a cash prize of R50 000, sponsored by Hollard Insurance.
Andries Wiese, national business development manager of Hollard Insurance, said Dzindikwa started as a cleaner and nine years later ending up as senior production manager running the production operation and increasing the presence of the business at the top-end retailers, restaurants and hotels. “The important thing beyond production, is that she also plays a critical mentoring role at the compony she works for. Dzindikwa is dedicated to training new cheesemakers, and building a culture of quality and accountability. This underscores the commitment of being someone we all can be proud of,” Wiese said.
Milford says the Hollard Game Changer Award recognises young professionals already making a meaningful impact. “It serves as both recognition of their achievements and motivation to continue their pursuit of excellence.”
Industry collaboration shapes the future
“A project of this scale would not be possible without the support of our partners,” says Milford. “We thank our platinum partners IMCD South Africa and dsm-firmenich; diamond partners Novonesis and SIG; gold partners Woolworths, Synercore, Condio, Hollard, Checkers, IFF, Orchem, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture; silver partners PicknPay and Mane; and bronze partners AGRANA Fruit and Nutrochem.”
Linda Segalla of IMCD added: “IMCD South Africa is honoured to support the SA Dairy Championships, reflecting our ongoing dedication to innovation, quality, and progress in the industry. We remain committed to empowering the dairy sector with cutting-edge solutions and expertise, helping to shape a future of excellence.”
The 2025 Qualité winners: The only mark of excellence in the dairy industry
The Qualité Mark, the dairy industry’s sole mark of excellence, is reserved for select products of exceptional quality that have achieved a specific minimum score on the international scorecard. The product securing the highest score, is crowned Product of the Year.
FAIR CAPE DAIRIES (6)
- Fair Cape Dairies Chocolate Mousse.
- Fair Cape Dairies Low Fat Mixed Fruit Yoghurt.
- Woolworths Fresh Custard with Vanilla Bean Seeds.
- Woolworths Passion Fruit Cheesecake Mousse Dessert (honourable mention for second place overall).
- Woolworths Chocolate Mousse.
- Woolworths Double Cream Lemon Curd Yoghurt.
LACTALIS SOUTH AFRICA (4)
- Parmalat Salted Butter
- Président Mature Gouda – 6 months.
- Président White Cheddar – 6 months.
- Woolworths Yellow Cheddar – 6 months.
FAIRFIELD DAIRY (3)
- First Choice Low Fat Peach & Apricot Flavoured Dairy Snack.
- SPAR Double Cream Plain Yoghurt.
- Woolworths Organic Fat Free Chunky Plain Cottage Cheese.
DALEWOOD FROMAGE (2)
- Dalewood Fromage Wineland Brie Cape Chilli.
- Dalewood Fromage Lanquedoc – 10 weeks.
FAIRVIEW CHEESE COMPANY (2)
- Fairview Chevin Black Pepper & Paprika.
- Woolworths Raspberry Roulade with Pink Peppercorns.
KLEIN RIVER CHEESE (2)
- Babylonstoren Cultured Butter – Garlic & Parsley.
- Woolworths Oak Smoked Stanford.
LADISMITH CHEESE (2)
- Ladismith Salted Butter.
- Ladismith Unsalted Butter.
LANCEWOOD (2)
- Lancewood Medium Fat Smooth Cottage Cheese with Chives.
- Pick n Pay Matured Cheddar – 6 months.
DEWFRESH – Salted Butter
- Dutch Goat Farm – Sheep’s Gouda (Honourable mention for third place overall).
- Farm Hill Dairy – Full Cream Smooth Cottage Cheese.
- Foxenburg Estate – Chèvre – Chakalaka.
- La Montanara – Woolworths Halloumi Kebabs.
- RFG Foods – Woolworths Mascarpone with Fig & Pecan Nuts (SA Dairy Product of the Year).
- Woodlands Dairy – First Choice Low Fat Strawberry Flavoured Milk.
– Hugo Lochner, Plaas Media
