Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards 2025: Honouring Agri Worker Excellence

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) proudly celebrated the excellence, skill and dedication of agri workers across the province at the 2025 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards (WCPAA) Gala. The event honoured the individuals whose daily contributions sustain the Western Cape’s agricultural success and rural prosperity.

Originally launched in 2002 by the Hex Valley Table Grape Association as the Farm Worker of the Year Competition, the initiative has grown into one of the most respected recognition platforms in South Africa’s agricultural calendar. This year saw an impressive 1 393 participants from across the province – 150 more than the previous year’s 1 233 – demonstrating the sector’s growing inclusivity and pride in excellence.

Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, commended the finalists and winners, stating, “Agri workers are the heartbeat of our province’s agricultural economy. Their commitment sustains food security, supports our economy and builds resilient rural communities. Through the Prestige Agri Awards, we honour these hardworking men and women whose contributions ensure that the Western Cape continues to grow, innovate and feed the nation.”

The awards align with the Western Cape Government’s Apex Priority, Growth for Jobs, which seeks to help businesses grow and create jobs, while equipping residents to access those opportunities. By investing in skills development and recognition, the WCDoA reinforces its commitment to creating a province of dignity, opportunity and shared prosperity -underpinned by the values of care, competence, accountability, integrity, innovation and responsiveness.

The competition covers eleven categories across the agricultural value chain, including General Worker, Irrigation Specialist, Animal Production and Middle Management. Each region also identifies a Best Potential and a Regional Winner, culminating in 167 finalists who competed in the final provincial round held at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute on 30 September 2025.

List of Winners per Category (Confidential – to be revealed at the Gala)

The 2025 overall winner, Shannon Robertson, Assistant Livestock Manager at Boschendal near Franschhoek, expressed her gratitude, “This award is a blessing. It shows that women have a place in agriculture and can lead with confidence, faith, and determination. My hope is that other young women see this and know that they too can make a difference in this sector.”

Since 2004, the WCDoA’s Sub-Programme: Farm Worker Development has led efforts to strengthen agri worker empowerment through targeted training, career development, and partnerships with industry and government. This initiative reflects the Department’s long-term commitment to equipping agri workers with the skills needed to thrive in a changing agricultural landscape – supporting the Growth for Jobs vision of enabling people to live lives they value.

The 2025 Awards were made possible through generous sponsorships valued at R1 085 517,96 towards the gala event and prizes. Their continued collaboration demonstrates the power of partnership in driving excellence, innovation and growth within the agricultural sector.

As the Western Cape Government continues to deliver on its promise of building a province of integrity, opportunity and care, the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards stand as a proud testament to the enduring spirit of our agri workers – who not only feed our province and country but embody the values that make the Western Cape thrive.

Media Enquiries

Mary James

Head of Communication

Cell: 084 817 2376

Email: Mary.James@westerncape.gov.za