The final of Agri’s Got Talent was a highlight on the 2025 agriculture calendar as 10 agri-workers from the fruit and wine industries across South Africa showcased their talents on stage.
By Joanie Bergh, journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
This unique singing competition, the only one of its kind in the country, not only provides a platform for agricultural workers to showcase their musical talent but also offers hope, pride and dignity to farmworkers and everyone working in agriculture.
Raw Talent and Big Dreams
The highlight of the evening was when Jenedine Jantjies (25) from Patensie in the Eastern Cape was crowned the winner. Jantjies, who works as a childminder on Endulini Fruit citrus farm, captivated the judges and audience with her raw talent and heartfelt performances of This is Me and One and Only.
She had to step onto the stage without any family or friends present to support her and said she wanted to prove something to the people back home. Although she initially didn’t want to take part in the competition, a friend “forced” her to.
“I love all music and don’t just stick to one genre,” Jantjies said before the final. “My dream is to record my own music one day and to inspire young people in my community to chase their dreams.”
Jantjies believes that God has a purpose for everything, including her life. “There is a reason why I am part of this competition: For the exposure and opportunity to represent my community. I am extremely grateful.”
Clayton Mentoor (27), a seasonal worker in the pome fruit industry at Kromco near Grabouw, earned a well-deserved second place.
Mentoor’s musical heritage runs deep – his mother, Claudine Fielander, was also among the top 10 in Agri’s Got Talent in 2016.
Third place went to Mervin Williams (30) of DGB near Wellington, who proudly represented the wine industry.
Additionally, Sandeline Mouers of Boplaas 1743, Simondium, received the special award for the best performance in an indigenous language, sponsored by the Afrikaans Language Council. Her rendition of Vergeet my nie (Forget me not) had the audience on their feet.
According to Thea van Zyl, project manager of Agri’s Got Talent, the significance of the competition extends well beyond the stage.
“During the training week, participants share their stories – often filled with sadness and pain. But the moment they realise they have been chosen as part of the top 10, it brings hope,” she said.
‘Agri’s Got Talent is more than just a contest’
“It shows them that good things can indeed happen, and that their lives and voices matter. This positivity is carried back to their families and the wider agricultural community. With every note and story, the finalists demonstrated that Agri’s Got Talent is more than just a contest – it’s a tribute to people, their dignity and the power of music at the centre of South African agriculture.”
This project is sponsored by Hortgro, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, the South African Table Grape Industry, South Africa Wine and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, with additional support from FruitFly Africa and Culdevco .
