Dennegeur’s Stephan Beukes | Western Cape Farmer of the Year

WESTERN CAPE — Stephan Beukes of Dennegeur Farms in Grabouw has been named the 2026 Western Cape Farmer of the Year by Agricultural Writers SA’s Xhariep region. Behind the prestigious award is a farming operation that has grown production, strengthened export performance and invested in people, infrastructure and environmental sustainability, even in the face of major
setbacks.

Nedbank sponsored the awards function, held on Friday evening at Durbanville Hills, where the winners were announced. In his keynote address, Agri Western Cape CEO Jannie Strydom painted a picture of an agricultural sector that is a powerful economic engine for the province, driving exports, creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods from farm gates to global markets.

Stephan Beukes is a third-generation farmer from Grabouw. Since becoming CEO in 2019, he has expanded Dennegeur by acquiring Vredenhof and Applethwaite. The enterprise now farms 455.65ha of orchards, backed by investment in storage, packing, energy resilience and leadership capacity. Beukes treats resilience as a management discipline.

After the devastating 2023 flood, Beukes restored crop-protection spray coverage within 72 hours and irrigation across the orchards within two months. Careful irrigation planning, energy monitoring, market diversification, and regular financial reviews further strengthen the business.

Orchard practices include groundcover, recycled biomass, alien vegetation clearing and rehabilitation with indigenous species. The Dennegeur Foundation supports childcare, education, health, counselling and retirement initiatives, and peak employment reaches 1 067 people.

Marike Brits, chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA’s! Xhariep region, said this year’s winners show how far good farming practices reach beyond the farm gate. “Each of this year’s winners is building something bigger than their own farm,” said Brits.
“Stephan Beukes has shown what disciplined leadership and resilience look like after a disaster,
while keeping more than a thousand people employed at peak season.

As agricultural writers, we have the privilege of telling these stories. They remind South Africans that
agriculture is about food, jobs, land and the future of our communities.”

About Agricultural Writers SA
Agricultural Writers SA was established in 1977 to promote high standards in agricultural journalism and strengthen understanding of agriculture in South Africa. It represents journalists across print, broadcast, and online media, and supports professional development, responsible reporting, press freedom, and stronger links between agriculture, the media, and society. Its annual Farmer of the Year competition recognises outstanding farmers and their contribution to South African agriculture.

Media contact
Marike Brits
Chairperson!Xhariep Agricultural Writers SA
+27 72 185 5157 | marike.brits@netafim.orbia.com
Ivor Price
Deputy Chairperson!Xhariep Agricultural Writers SA
+27 63 891 5846 | ivor@foodformzansi.co.za