Eastern Cape Women Farmers and Extension Officers Celebrated at 2026 Empowerment Awards in Mbizana

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture hosted the Women Empowerment Awards (WEA) and Provincial Extension and Advisory Services Awards (PEASA) in Mbizana, within Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality in the Alfred Nzo District, yesterday. The event brought together agricultural producers, entrepreneurs, extension officers and other stakeholders to recognise individuals making a meaningful contribution to the province’s agricultural sector. The Women Empowerment Awards celebrate women who have demonstrated excellence in agricultural production and agribusiness, while the Provincial Extension and Advisory Services Awards recognise extension officers who provide technical guidance and advisory support to farming communities. The awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of people working across different parts of the agricultural value chain. They also highlight the potential of agriculture to create businesses, support livelihoods and contribute to rural economic development in the Eastern Cape.

The 2026 Women Entrepreneurs Awards placed a strong focus on recognising women who have built productive enterprises despite the challenges associated with farming and agribusiness. The categories covered a range of activities, including smallholder production, agro-processing, commercial production, export production, youth projects and disability projects. The diversity of categories reflects the broad contribution women make to agriculture and shows that successful agricultural enterprises can operate at different scales. Recognition through these awards can also provide valuable encouragement to entrepreneurs who are working to expand their businesses and create sustainable sources of income. By highlighting successful examples from different municipalities and districts, the programme also creates opportunities for other aspiring farmers to learn from the experiences of established producers.

Among the MEC Special Awards for Disability Projects, Mhlathi Nobahle from Ntabankulu Local Municipality in the Alfred Nzo District was named the winner. Her project, also listed as Mhlathi Nobahle, received prize money of R50,000. The recognition places attention on the contribution that people with disabilities can make to agriculture and enterprise development when they receive appropriate opportunities and support. Agricultural programmes that promote inclusion can help ensure that development opportunities reach a wider section of rural communities. The award also sends an important message about the value of recognising agricultural entrepreneurs based on their achievements and contribution to their communities.

Youth participation in agriculture was also recognised through the MEC Special Awards for Youth Projects. Siyasanga Bera, from Umzimvubu Local Municipality in the Alfred Nzo District, won the category with BBM Fresh Product and received R50,000. Athi Bhungalipheli, from Ntabankulu Local Municipality in the same district, was named runner-up for Ndinnanzile Trade Enterprise and received R30,000. These awards highlight the potential for young people to build businesses within the agricultural value chain rather than viewing agriculture only as traditional farming. Supporting young agricultural entrepreneurs can help create employment opportunities while encouraging innovation and new approaches to food production and agricultural enterprise.

The Best Smallholder Producer category recognised farmers who are building productive agricultural businesses at smallholder level. Thokozile Flora Parkies from Walter Sisulu Local Municipality in the Joe Gqabi District won the category with Mazanow Calton Farming and received R80,000. Siphokazi Mathabatha from Umzimvubu Local Municipality in the Alfred Nzo District was named runner-up for Nocon and received R50,000. Smallholder producers play an important role in rural economies because their activities can contribute to household income, local food production and community-level economic activity. Recognition of their achievements can encourage continued investment in production and help demonstrate that smaller agricultural enterprises can develop into viable businesses.

Agro-processing was another major focus of the awards, reflecting the importance of adding value to agricultural products before they reach consumers. Thandeka Mayiri-Rafu from Mbhashe Local Municipality in the Amathole District won the Best Agro-Processing category with Likhona Lethu Services and received R80,000. Rachel Nqayi from Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District was named runner-up for VRL Meat Supply and received R50,000. Agro-processing can create additional economic opportunities by allowing producers and businesses to move beyond the sale of raw agricultural products. It can also support job creation, expand market opportunities and increase the potential value generated within local agricultural economies.

The Best Commercial Producer category recognised women operating at a larger commercial level. Vuyokazi Nonopa Tenza from Matatiele in the Alfred Nzo District won the category with Kevinot Farming and received R80,000. Nokuthula Myeko-Mafikwana from King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in the OR Tambo District was named runner-up with Tyhophо Trading Enterprise and received R50,000. Commercial producers contribute to the agricultural economy through production, supply chains, market participation and employment. Recognising successful commercial farmers also demonstrates how women can participate across different levels of agriculture and build enterprises capable of serving larger markets.

The awards also recognised export-oriented agricultural production, with Siyolise Nohamba taking the Best Export Producer award. Nohamba operates Khonzi Citrus Farming in the Raymond Local Municipality area of the Amathole District and received R50,000. Export production requires farmers to meet demanding standards related to quality, consistency, supply and market requirements. Recognition in this category therefore highlights the ability of women farmers to participate in agricultural markets beyond their immediate communities. It also demonstrates the potential for Eastern Cape agricultural businesses to connect with wider markets and contribute to the province’s economic development.

The Amathole District also received recognition for its performance at district level. Ms Nyameka Bongco was recognised with a trophy for the Best Performing District, while District Coordinator Ms Z. Stengile received a Best Performing District Coordinator trophy for Amathole. District-level recognition is significant because agricultural development depends not only on individual farmers but also on the systems and people supporting producers. Effective coordination can help connect farmers with technical services, programmes and other forms of assistance. The recognition of Amathole therefore highlights the role that strong district-level leadership and coordination can play in supporting agricultural development.

The overall winner in the Best Agro-Processing category was Thandeka Mayiri-Rafu of Likhona Lethu Services in Mbhashe Local Municipality, Amathole District. Her R80,000 award recognises the success of her agro-processing enterprise and places her among the leading women entrepreneurs celebrated at the 2026 awards. Her achievement illustrates the opportunities that can emerge when agricultural production is combined with value addition and enterprise development. Agro-processing can help create stronger links between farmers, businesses, consumers and markets while generating additional economic activity within rural areas. Her recognition also provides an example of how women-led businesses can contribute to the development of agricultural value chains in the Eastern Cape.

The Women Empowerment Awards were complemented by the Provincial Extension and Advisory Services Awards, which recognise the professionals who work directly with farming communities to provide technical assistance and agricultural advice. Extension officers play an important role in helping farmers understand production practices, respond to challenges and access relevant agricultural knowledge. Their work can influence the productivity and sustainability of farming operations, particularly among producers who may have limited access to specialised technical resources. Recognising these professionals acknowledges that successful agriculture depends on a support network that extends beyond farmers themselves. The combination of WEA and PEASA therefore provided a broader celebration of the people contributing to agricultural development from both the production and advisory sides.

The Mbizana event ultimately demonstrated the breadth of women’s participation in Eastern Cape agriculture and the importance of recognising the people supporting the sector. From youth projects and smallholder farming to commercial production, agro-processing and exports, the winners represent a wide range of agricultural activities and business models. The awards also showed the value of district-level coordination and extension services in strengthening farming communities. With financial prizes ranging from R30,000 to R80,000 across several categories, the programme provided both recognition and practical support to some of the province’s agricultural entrepreneurs. By celebrating these achievements, the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has highlighted the contribution of women, young people, farmers and agricultural support professionals while reinforcing the importance of agriculture as a driver of rural enterprise, food production and economic development.