Award-winning Nwanedi farmer Ms Asnath Nthupheni Mulaudzi received another boost last week when a well-known seedling company donated 30,000 tomato seedlings to her. Mulaudzi won the Top Export Producer category in the 2024 Female Farmer of the Year competition and received R50,000 in prize money.
When the competition winners were announced at the Malamulele Community Hall in August last year, WD Seedlings pledged to top up the winner's prize with tomato seedlings that would cover a full hectare. On 21 January, WD Seedlings' founder, Mr Wynand van der Westhuizen, accompanied by sales representative Mr. Oscar Tshikala, delivered on their promise and handed over the seedlings to Mulaudzi at her farm in Nwanedi.
Ms Mulaudzi, who farms on a 30-hectare piece of land, could not hide her excitement. "This is great; I never thought this day would come, but here it is, happening," she said. She added that a hectare of seedlings can produce 80 tons of tomatoes, which can serve as a good foundation for a business.
Mr Alfred Mashapha, the acting director at Nwanedi Service Centre, thanked the sponsors for their initiative. "What makes us very happy is that they promised to do it again this year. We are excited that they will be partnering with Vhembe District and us, as the department, in this year's competition," he said.
Mr Wynand van der Westhuizen of WD Seedlings said their company was people-centred and strived to develop and empower farmers. "We support all farmers, whether small-scale or big commercial farmers. When we heard of this competition, we felt we could not be left out. This is our way of giving back to the community, and we will continue assisting farmers in realising their dreams," he said.