The Makhado Municipality, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, successfully held the 2008 Female Farmers of the Year Competition at an event that was held at the Bungeni community hall last Thursday.

The hall was filled to capacity by members of community from all villages under the jurisdiction of the Makhado Municipal area. The women competed in three categories, namely household, informal and national.

The purpose of the competition, according to the manager of the Department of Agriculture in the Makhado area, Ms Eunice Mabasa, was to empower and encourage woman to take part in farming. “We want to take the women on board, particularly those from previously disadvantaged rural areas. They must use their hands to curb the scarcity of food and the food price hike in the country,” she said.

She added that the nominees were going to participate at district level, where the winners will be sent to the provincial level and national level.

Ms Dakalo Magwede was chosen the best female of the year in the national category and went home with a prize of R5 000, followed by Ms Mufamadi Mukondeleli, who received R4 000, and the Tana hi Wexe project, who received R3 000.

In the informal category, Ms Xibombi Mathebula won the competition and went home with R4 000. The Pfunekani Project and Mashamba Community Garden came second and third in the category and received R3 000 and R2 000 respectively.

Tshino Clinic Project won the household category and received R3 000. Nyumisa Mchavi (2nd) received a cash prize of R2 000 and the Maila Project (3rd) received R2 000.

Apart of the money, the winners also received working equipment from the Makhado Municipality and bags of maize meal and animal feed from Brennco Louis Trichardt.

Magwede, a cattle farmer, said she was greatly honoured. “I am very excited. At least it is a symbol that people appreciate what I am doing. It really motivates me, and it is a challenge that I must start preparing myself to participate on district level,” she said.