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Lindie-Alet van Staden of L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, Cape Winelands, has recently been honoured as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of the Year 2024. Western Cape minister of agriculture, economic development and tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, described Lindie-Alet as a deserving recipient.
Minister Meyer congratulated van Staden, stating, “I look forward to her inauguration as a Western Cape Prestige Agri-Workers Forum member. Given her leadership abilities and skill set, she will make a valuable contribution to raising the concerns of agri-workers in the province. She will serve as a valued member of the forum, which advises the Western Cape Ministry of Agriculture on matters that impact the lives of agri-workers.”
The competition, which recognises the crucial role agri-workers play in growing the economy and ensuring food security, has seen significant growth in participation, from 36 entries in 2002 to an impressive 1 233 in 2024.
Participants from diverse backgrounds and 15 regions across the Western Cape competed in 11 categories, showcasing the competition’s inclusivity.
This year’s category winners are:
- General worker: Racheline Wilschut Langeberg.
- Driver: Ernest Vilander.
- Irrigation Specialist: Johannes Engelbrecht.
- Animal Production: Edward Saaiman.
- Technical Operator: Magdelena Smit.
- Social Development: Sophia de Bruin.
- Agri-Processing: Christopher Dreyer.
- Administrative Personnel: Gertruida Lourens.
- Foreman / -woman: Lungelo Ntamone.
- Junior Management: Rozé Tailor.
- Middle Management: Annita Maqashalala.
- Best Potential: Wilfred Fortuin.
Team effort
Upon accepting her award as the overall winner, van Staden, who serves as a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Estate in Franschhoek, expressed her gratitude and commitment to her job. “Every day, I am inspired by my incredible team and the opportunity to make a difference in my colleagues’ lives. Winning this award reaffirms my commitment to pursuing excellence and helping to drive agriculture’s future in our community. Together, we are achieving our goals and building a sustainable future.”
Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, head of the Western Cape DoA, commented, “The Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker Awards is not only about individual recognition; they also aim to enhance the image and socio-economic conditions of agri-workers and their families. This competition offers agri-workers new skills, knowledge, and opportunities for career growth, broadening their understanding of the agricultural sector and inspiring them to reach new heights.”
“In the Western Cape, our agri-workers are not invisible,” said minister Meyer, adding, “The Western Cape is the only province that bestows this recognition on its agricultural workforce.”
Premier Alan Winde attended the ceremony. He praised van Staden and all the Western Cape’s agri-workers, “Your contribution and dedication to our economy are invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for all you do in assuring and enhancing our province’s food security while also working very hard to boost our economic growth.”
Minister Meyer continued, “Agri-workers must be recognised and honoured, and their voices must be heard. “Agri-workers play a crucial role in our Growth For Jobs Strategy (G4J), which aims to build a R1 trillion economy in the Western Cape by 2035. Their expertise and unwavering commitment to producing enough food to meet our food security needs are instrumental in achieving this goal,” concluded minister Meyer. – Western Cape Department of Agriculture
