The contribution of women entrepreneurs to the agricultural sector in the Eastern Cape was celebrated at the Amathole District Women Entrepreneur Awards, hosted by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform. The event emphasized the need for empowering and supporting female entrepreneurs in agriculture.
Women in Agriculture Key to Economic Development
Women play a significant role in the economic development of the country, particularly in the agricultural sector. Ngqushwa Municipality Council Chief Whip Anathi Ndikinda urged women farmers to be providers for their families and strive for independence. She encouraged young people to use land to change their lives and become self-employed. Ndikinda stressed that women’s empowerment is crucial for altering the country’s economic landscape.
Women’s Empowerment in Agribusiness Strengthens the Nation
No-oli Sigidi, an award-winning farmer who owns over 300 sheep in Dutywa’s Chizele village, echoed the sentiment of empowering women in agribusiness. She expressed her gratitude to the DRDAR and the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development for their support. Sigidi encouraged women to collaborate with government officials and learn more about managing their enterprises, stating that empowering women in agribusiness strengthens the entire nation.
AmaXhosa Queen Nondzuzo Sigcawu Highlights the Importance of Women’s Participation in Agriculture
AmaXhosa Queen Nondzuzo Sigcawu remarked that women’s engagement in agribusiness is a way of going back to basics. She highlighted the lack of jobs and advised that practicing agriculture could alleviate the impact of unemployment. Queen Sigcawu urged women to teach their children the value of agriculture as a source of wealth.
Recognizing Women Entrepreneurs in Agriculture
Several women entrepreneurs were recognized for their achievements in agriculture. Thobeka Mapukata won the smallholder category and the overall prize, receiving R60,000 for her enterprise. Other winners included Sinazo Jonase of Jubilee Chicken Farm, who won in the female worker category, and Eve Ndabakazi Coop for subsistence farming. The provincial leg of the awards will be held in Qumbu, where district winners will compete for top honors and represent the province at the national level.
Empowering Women in Agribusiness for Sustainable Enterprises
Celebrations like the Amathole District Women Entrepreneur Awards provide an essential platform for acknowledging the crucial role of women in the agricultural sector. They serve as a reminder of the need to empower women in agribusiness and support their endeavors to create sustainable, successful enterprises that can benefit the entire nation.
