Musina Mayor Godfrey Mawela congratulated Ms Salome Madida, a farmer from Nwanedi, for winning the Top Entrepreneur Commercial Farmer category at the Vhembe Female Farmer of the Year Awards. The event, hosted by the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, took place at the Muswodi Tshisimani Community Hall on Friday, 25 August.
Mawela was joined by the executive mayor of the VDM, Dowelani Nenguda, Vhamusanda Phatutshedzo Mabulo, and officials from the Vhembe Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
"We are very excited that one of our own female farmers has won an award in the Female Farmer of the Year competition. As the local municipality, we will do our best to provide the necessary support to our women, who continue to make us proud and raise our flag higher and higher," Mayor Mawela said.
The Female Farmer of the Year Awards were established by the Department of Agriculture in 1999 to encourage and enhance the participation of women in agriculture, including those with disabilities. The event recognises women's contributions to food security through various agricultural activities, from backyard gardening to large-scale production and value-chain operations.
The competition is held at various levels, from district municipalities to provinces and nationally, culminating in the National Female Farmer of the Year Awards at the end of Women's Month (August). The winners each receive a cash prize, certificate, and agricultural supplies.
Madida operates Matandamavhili Farm Trading and Projects in Musina. Her farm spans 30 hectares and produces tomatoes, butternuts, chillies, and vegetables. Her enterprise has created jobs for 73 people and has an annual turnover of R831,000. She supplies various markets, including Tiger Brands, Mozambique, and the Tshwane Market.