Farmworkers form the backbone of South Africa’s food system. They are the people whose skill, endurance and dedication keep the country’s agricultural engine running. Yet too often, their contribution remains invisible. The Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards (WCPAA) are changing that.

Now in its 23rd year, the WCPAA has grown into one of the most important recognition platforms for agri-workers anywhere in the country. Since its inception in 2002, more than 16 000 participants have taken part, with the programme celebrating excellence across 11 award categories, from general workers and artisans to supervisors, managers and those in specialist technical roles.

What makes these awards significant is not only the celebration of individual achievement but also the message they send: that agri-workers are skilled professionals whose work underpins national food security.

According to South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), the agricultural sector will need to create one million jobs by 2030. The Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) sets out the framework for this growth, and the latest AAMP Progress Report shows encouraging signs: agricultural production volumes have steadily increased from 11% in 2015-2019 to 13% in 2019-2023.

Against this background, Tasneem Sulaiman-Bray, Director of Corporate Affairs at KAL Group, said talent and skills development becomes a vital lever to ensure the sector can sustain and accelerate this growth.

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The Importance of Recognising Workers

This year’s awards ceremony, held on 1 November at Eureka Estate in Durbanville, once again placed farmworkers centre stage. Supported by more than R1 million in sponsorships from industry partners, the event showed that recognising workers is vital for strengthening agriculture’s future.

Shannon Robertson, assistant livestock manager at Boschendal in Franschhoek, was named the 2025 overall winner. Her prize included management development training through Stellenbosch University and a R10 000 Agrimark store voucher, an investment that supports her growth as a leader in the industry.

Beyond the individual celebrations, the awards highlight the diversity of skills within the sector. They showcase welders, machine operators, farm administrators, quality controllers and animal handlers, who are all experts in their fields and are all essential to keeping farming enterprises productive and competitive.

The awards are a catalyst for skills development and transformation. Participants across categories receive training opportunities that broaden their career pathways, build confidence and elevate the standard of farming practices in the province.

“Recognition builds pride and visibility for agri-workers. It strengthens retention and helps attract new talent into the industry,” said Sulaiman-Bray. “These awards affirm the critical contribution of workers and show that agriculture offers meaningful, aspirational career paths.”

Also read: ‘You don’t just grow crops, you grow hope for our country’ – Steenhuisen praises farmers at Grain SA awards ceremony

Partnerships that Strengthen the Sector

The WCPAA is underpinned by strong public-private partnerships, a core element of its longstanding success. Agrimark, KAL Group’s agricultural and lifestyle retail brand, is one of the programme’s committed supporters.

This year marks Agrimark’s second year of partnership with the awards. For Sulaiman-Bray, this support reflects a deeper commitment to rural economies.

“When we invest in agri-workers, we invest in the future of agriculture. Our role is to help open doors, build skills and uplift communities. These awards show what is possible when industry, government and workers come together with a shared vision,” Sulaiman-Bray said.

She added that by celebrating their achievements, creating opportunities for training and telling their stories, the awards help build a more inclusive, resilient and aspirational agricultural sector.

“And in doing so, they remind the country of a simple truth. Agriculture’s progress begins with the people who work the land,” she said.

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