Patensie does it again!

Honey Katoo takes top honours at Agri’s Got Talent 2026

For immediate release: 17 October 2026

Klapmuts – Patensie is a small town in the Gamtoos River Valley, in the Eastern Cape, renowned for its citrus production, yet in just two years it has produced two phenomenal divas. Honey Katoo (Endulini Fruit) won Agri’s Got Talent 2026 with flawless vocal control, a powerful voice, and a pure, melodic tone that was a joy to listen to, despite strong competition from Clareece Vlotman (Wolfpack) of Wolseley and Lwandile Nantsi (Laastedrift) of Ceres. She follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Jenedine Jantjies, who also hails from Patensie.

It was a near-picture-perfect spring evening at Rusticana near Klapmuts when the ten contestants gave it their all in front of family, friends and colleagues.

The 29-year-old Katoo performed “And I Am Telling You” and “Spirit”, earning near-perfect scores. Vlotman followed closely behind, with “Listen” and “Rolling in the Deep”. Nantsi had the crowd dancing along to “Dzwuwa Lawala” and “Kufayayo”.

The gala evening brought to a close a week-long journey of self-discovery, voice training, personal development, and life skills training. The ten contestants arrived not knowing one another or what to expect. Guided by the talented Frieda van den Heever (voice coach and artistic director) and Francois van der Merwe (technical), the group bonded and supported one another, even as they competed for the coveted prize.

A winner who is no stranger to the stage

Katoo began singing at school at an early age, taking part in eisteddfods and competitions. After school, she completed an acting degree at AFDA, and in 2021 she took part in Idols, where she received a golden ticket. But, as the saying goes, life happens while you are making other plans: she fell pregnant, and her priorities changed. Today she is the proud mother of five-year-old Zuri, who also loves to sing.

Katoo said that although she had hoped to win, the week had been, above all, one of self-discovery. “Singing is a deeply personal thing for me. This week has been about recognising that there is always room to learn and to stay humble. I have learned a lot from Frieda and Francois, and from the nine fabulous brothers and sisters in music. I never take anything for granted and am always open to learning.”

She said her biggest priority in life is to raise and educate her daughter and give her every opportunity. “I am also working to secure funding to obtain my teaching diploma. I would love to work with children and teach them about singing and music.”

Katoo knows Jantjies and said that last year’s winner inspired her to enter this year’s competition.

About Agri’s Got Talent

Hortgro, CGA, SATI, SA Wine, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture sponsor Agri’s Got Talent. The fruit and wine industries are known for world-class export produce such as wine, citrus, apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, nectarines, cherries and table grapes. They are also home to many talented singers whose voices are usually heard only in orchards, packhouses or on the way to work. Agri’s Got Talent 2026 aims to give those hidden stars a chance to shine.

“Every year we discover incredible voices in agriculture,” the organisers say. “Many participants have never performed on stage before. Agri’s Got Talent is about courage, joy and celebrating the people who make our agricultural industries strong.”

Caption: Lwandile Nantsi, Honey Katoo and Clareece Vlotman

Media enquiries: Thea van Zyl, info@agrisgottalent.com

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