Thunderous applause filled the Greek Hall in Durban last Friday, when a Musina vegetable farmer, Livhuwani Mulaudzi, was bestowed with a R35 000 cash prize for being South Africa’s top producer for export markets.

The 39-year-old mother of three joyously ascended the platform to receive the prize from the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Lulu Xingwana, together with four other female farmers during the National Female Farmer of the Year Competition. The event was attended by hundreds of delegates from government and business sectors.

In the other categories, the top producer for national markets is Jeanne Groenewald, the top producer for household use is the Ubuhle Bangamuni Garden Project and Mulaudzi’s joint winner is North West cattle and crocodile farmer Rodene Lambrecht.

Mulaudzi booked her flight to Durban after the MEC for Agriculture, Dikeledi Magadzi, declared her as the overall winner in the Limpopo Province on August 11 in Bela Bela. She received a R25 000 cash prize and a certificate for her achievement. Although Mulaudzi shared the spoils with Lambrecht, she oozed excitement, plainly showing that she enjoyed every bit of her journey through the four legs of the competition.

When Musina Local Municipality’s Mayor Caroline Mahasela visited Mulaudzi on her farm to congratulate her on Monday, the modest farmer was over the moon. “Sharing the number one position doesn’t bother me at all. I am actually happy that more women are being recognized for the splendid job that they are doing to improve their farming profiles and represent women with such aplomb,” said Mulaudzi.

She added: “I am also glad that the competition reached its climax during Women’s Month as this goes a long way in augmenting the struggle for women’s rights economically. It’s worth it”. Mulaudzi mostly produces tomatoes on a 10-hectare plot at Laura Farm in Nwanedi where she employs 15 permanent and eight temporary workers.

Mayor Mahasela also visited another vegetable farmer from Musina, Joyce Makungo, who won the Limpopo Province top producer for the national market in Bela Bela and also proceeded to Durban.

Together with her 17 employees, Makungo manages to produce 200 tons of red tomatoes, 150 tons of half-ripe tomatoes, 500 bags of butternuts and 40 bags of maize per year.