DFI producers are finalists in the Young Farmer of the Year competition

MEDIA STATEMENT

Finalists of the Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year competition Agri Western Cape is proud to announce the eight finalists of the 2025 Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year competition––an award that celebrates excellence, leadership and continued commitment in the agricultural industry. These finalists are not merely young, but already established farmers who make a valuable contribution to their communities and the Western Cape agricultural economy. They are––

1. André Swanepoel (28), who has been producing citrus, deciduous fruit, vineyard and vegetables in the Langeberg area for 7 years.

2. Francois Rossouw (30), with 6,5 years’ experience in the Hex River Valley, where he produces table grapes on 310 hectares.

3. Gordon Anderson (36), who has been producing apples and pears on 83 hectares in the Overberg for 16 years.

4. Hermann Heins (25), who manages 125 hectares of vineyard and 450 sows in the Stellenbosch area.

5. Jaco Bruwer (25) from Barrydale, who has been producing peaches, nectarines, pears, apricots, lemons and pumpkins for 5 years.

6. Mario Lombard (39), an experienced farmer from George, who manages avocados and beef cattle. He has been farming for 19 years.

7. Musa Mfengu (39) from Tulbagh, who produces blueberries on 36,6 hectares and has been in the industry for 13 years.

8. Niel Bruwer (37) from the Ceres/Hamlet area, with 15 years’ experience. His operations include dried fruit on 90 hectares and pome fruit on 145 hectares.

According to the convenor, Inus Oosthuizen, the panel is excited about the upcoming visits to the finalists’ farms: “Every year we are surprised by the quality of young farmers in our province – and this year is no exception. What makes this group special is the diversity of farms we will visit – from blueberries to pigs, and from table grapes to avocados. I look forward to seeing first-hand how these farmers excel in their respective fields.” The winner of the 2025 Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year competition will be announced on 11 June. The provincial winner will then represent the Western Cape in the National Toyota SA/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year competition that will take place later this year.

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For media enquiries: Rojeanne de Wet rojeanne@awk.co.za 071 170 3744