A hardworking female farmer in the Musina municipal area, Ms Annikie Malukuta (47), has something to be proud of. After scooping two major provincial awards last month, Malukuta continued to make Musina proud when she walked away with the award in the best Small Medium and Micro Enterprises Category during the Tracy Malatjie Women of Excellence Awards organized the by Black Management Forum Limpopo.

The event took place at Meropa entertainment World, Polokwane, on Saturday evening.

She walked away with a special trophy, a laptop and a voucher for a night away in one of the upmarket local hotels.

Malukuta, who hails from Folovhodwe Maswangaduvha, started out by selling old clothes (jumble sales) in 1991 until she decided to start her own farm in 1995, which was 6 hectares at the time. She now owns a 30-hectare farm in Nwanedi, with 15 permanent and 30 temporary workers. Her biggest trading markets are Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Malukuta’s hard work is unquestionable as she had also won several female farmer competitions in the past. “It will be a mistake not to thank all the people who made me what I am. The award has really motivated me to work hard to attain greater heights because I know that everything is possible. I would also like to thank the Black Management Forum in Limpopo for having trust in me.”

Musina Mayor Caroline Mahasela, who was also there when Malukuta received the award, said she was very proud of the women from the Musina municipal area who continued to make their mark in provincial and national competitions. “As Musina Municipality, we are very proud of women like Malukuta because they are the pillars of strength for our local economy. I believe her winning spree will motivate other women in the agricultural sector to work hard.”