1662 Hortgro Industry Award: Joy van Biljon

The 1662 award commemorates the first apples that were harvested in the Company Garden at the Cape in that year – 17 April to be exact.  Joy van Biljon, one of the founding members of the Koue Bokkeveld Training Centre, also known as KBOS, had the vision to change agriculture through training. After 20 years as KBOS executive chief, she stepped down in 2020 and handed over the reins to Carmen Roberts. Her legacy has made KBOS a beacon of inspiration and hope in the agricultural industry―envied by other regions and industries.

Over a lifetime of service, Joy van Biljon played a pivotal role in positioning training in the commercial sector in such a way that it makes both economic sense and empowers those being trained for a career in agriculture.

Joy also played a significant role in helping the deciduous fruit industry, and specifically in advising and assisting Hortgro, in sustaining the training and development department.

Her expertise and experience in what is needed in this field remain invaluable. She knows what works and what doesn’t work. Her experience helps guide and align training initiatives with employers and industry needs. This equips individuals with the right skills and empowers them to obtain permanent appointments. Joy also currently serves on the Hortgo Training and Development Advisory Committee where she tirelessly continues to drive industry programmes and align them with industry needs, to help train the next generation of industry entrants and equip them with the necessary skills.

Joy is truly a worthy recipient of this very special Hortgro’s 1662 Industry Award.

Caption: Joy van Biljon, receives the award presented by Hortgro Executive Director, Anton Rabe.

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