Scores of women have gathered at the Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) in Gariep to celebrate women entrepreneurs in the province’s agricultural sector.

A Forever Resort in Gariep hosted the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs (Dardea) on Tuesday (27/8), whose awards recognised work by women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.  

“To have been recognised for participation in the process is an achievement and I hope this has been an encouraging and motivational journey,” said Free State Dardea MEC, Elzabé Rockman.

Guests attending the Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) in Gariep, including Elzabé Rockman and Roy Jankielsohn. Picture: Zenande Mpame 

“I’m sure that everyone here tonight has personal experience of the hope, which is so necessary for us to sustain our work every day on and off the farm. It is hope and an unshakeable belief in the future that sustains us through the highs and lows of farming.”

The 2024 awards reconfirm the government’s commitment to enhance the development of women, young and differently-abled people of our province, she said.

The theme for this year’s awards was: “Invest in women: Accelerate progress and achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women – #InvestmentinWomen.

The Top Entrepreneur in the Commercial Sector was Mah Eezy Investments from Lejweleputswa. Picture: Casey-Lee Anthony

The categories were:

• Best Female Worker in the Sector;

• Best Subsistence Producer in the Sector;

• Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Smallholder;

• Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Processing;

• Top Entrepreneur in the Sector: Commercial;

• MEC Special Award: Youth/Woman with Disability;

• And the overall winner.

The MEC’s Special Award: Youth and Women with Disability, went to Selina Majafi. Picture: Casey-Lee Anthony

“I am so happy for winning top agro-processor and top overall achiever in the Free State,” said Warona Food Enterprise owner Bokang Lehloenya. “My plan for this money that I’ve won is to enhance my business. I’m truly grateful for being recognised.”

Lehloenya established her business in March 2021 despite not having a cent in the bank. Still, she managed to rise above all odds by starting to produce 500ml bottles of WA RONA-MOTOHO WA SEBELE, a soft traditional porridge now on the shelves of well-known retail stores.

In 2023, Lehloenya won R100,000 at the National Presidential SMMEs. Her prize money at the Women Entrepreneur Awards amounted to R450,000.

The Best Female Worker, Phologo Mogola, hails from Fezile Dabi. Picture: Casey-Lee Anthony

“All the nominees here tonight have been successful because they have taken to heart the message that farming is a business enterprise,” said Rockman. “I was impressed that our participants have concrete plans to grow their farming businesses.

“To all women, farmers, and producers present here tonight, as the provincial government we pride ourselves on the calibre of women in agriculture that we have in this province.

“We celebrate your immense contribution to our country and we appreciate the multidimensional responsibilities that you face and execute. Congratulations to all our winners,” she said.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg