Vhembe Women Entrepreneurs Celebrated for Resilience and Agricultural Success at 2026 Awards

Women entrepreneurs in Vhembe District were celebrated for their resilience, innovation and contribution to agriculture and the local economy during the 2026 Vhembe District Women Entrepreneur Awards. Held at Ngewnani ya ha Themeli, the event brought together women farmers, agricultural stakeholders, community leaders and partners to recognise the achievements of women building successful enterprises. The awards highlighted the important role women play in strengthening food production, creating employment and supporting economic development in their communities. They also provided an opportunity to celebrate women who continue to grow their businesses despite the challenges associated with farming and entrepreneurship. The event reinforced the message that supporting women in agriculture can have a wider impact on families, communities and the local economy.

The Women Entrepreneur Awards are an initiative of the National Department of Agriculture aimed at recognising and celebrating the invaluable contribution of women in the farming sector. The programme provides an important platform for women agricultural entrepreneurs to receive recognition for their work and demonstrate what is possible through commitment and innovation. Women farmers contribute across different parts of the agricultural value chain, from primary production to processing, marketing and other commercial activities. Their involvement creates opportunities for income generation while contributing to food security and rural economic development. By celebrating their achievements, the awards also encourage more women to consider agriculture as a viable sector for entrepreneurship and long-term business growth.

The 2026 Vhembe District Women Entrepreneur Awards were supported through a partnership involving several organisations and institutions. Partners included the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Youth Development Agency, the University of Venda and local municipalities. The See the Light Foundation, Thavhani Mall, Capitec Bank, Mercy Boutique, the Vhembe District Disability Forum and Agricre also contributed to the initiative. Such partnerships demonstrate the importance of bringing government, financial institutions, academic organisations, community structures and private sector partners together to support agricultural entrepreneurs. Collaboration can give women farmers access to different forms of support, including business knowledge, financial guidance, mentorship, networking opportunities and greater visibility.

Speaking at the event, Capitec Thohoyandou Branch Manager Ms Brenda Morolane highlighted the important role women play in growing the economy and creating employment. Her message focused on the connection between successful women-owned businesses and stronger communities. Women entrepreneurs who build sustainable enterprises can create employment opportunities while generating income that circulates within local economies. Morolane also encouraged women entrepreneurs to manage their business finances responsibly, pointing to sound financial management as a foundation for building a flourishing business. Her message highlighted that agricultural success requires more than production skills because farmers also need to understand budgeting, cash flow, planning and responsible use of financial resources.

Financial management is particularly important for agricultural businesses because farmers often have to manage seasonal income, production expenses and changing market conditions. A farmer may need to invest in inputs, equipment, livestock, labour and other resources before receiving income from the sale of produce. Keeping accurate financial records can help entrepreneurs understand whether their businesses are generating sustainable returns and where costs can be controlled. Good financial planning can also help farmers prepare for periods when production or income may be lower than expected. The emphasis on responsible financial management at the awards therefore provided practical advice that can help women entrepreneurs strengthen the foundations of their agricultural enterprises.

Former Women Entrepreneur Awards overall winner Ms Khuthadzo Mudzunga also used the occasion to encourage farmers to remain resilient and never give up. Her message recognised that building an agricultural business takes time and often involves setbacks, uncertainty and difficult decisions. She reminded farmers that creating jobs is itself an achievement and encouraged them to start small while working towards future growth. Her message about allowing their seeds to grow reflected the importance of patience, consistency and long-term commitment in agriculture. For emerging farmers, encouragement from successful entrepreneurs can provide valuable motivation to continue developing their businesses even when progress is gradual.

Acting Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Anderson Wilson Mudunungu, congratulated the women recognised at the event and encouraged farmers to explore opportunities beyond primary production. He placed particular emphasis on agro-processing and value addition, areas that can allow agricultural entrepreneurs to generate greater value from products before they reach consumers. Processing agricultural products locally can create additional business opportunities while supporting employment across packaging, manufacturing, transportation and distribution. It can also help farmers reduce their reliance on selling raw products and develop stronger brands and more diversified income streams. Encouraging women farmers to explore these opportunities can therefore support the development of more resilient agricultural businesses within Vhembe District.

The emphasis on agro-processing is especially relevant because value addition can strengthen connections between agriculture and other parts of the local economy. Farmers who process, package or transform agricultural products can potentially reach different markets and develop products with longer shelf lives. These activities can also create opportunities for partnerships with retailers, restaurants, wholesalers and other businesses. However, successful value addition requires knowledge of food safety, packaging, marketing, production costs and customer demand. Providing women entrepreneurs with the right training and support in these areas could help turn primary agricultural production into broader commercial opportunities.

Musanda Vho Ratshinyiwaho Themeli also emphasised the importance of recognising women as leaders and community builders. The message highlighted that women farmers contribute far beyond the production of agricultural goods because their businesses can influence employment, education, household incomes and community development. Women entrepreneurs can serve as role models for younger generations by demonstrating how skills, determination and enterprise can create opportunities. Their businesses can also become platforms for sharing knowledge and encouraging others to participate in agriculture. Recognising women in these broader roles helps demonstrate the social and economic value of their contribution to their communities.

The 2026 Vhembe District Women Entrepreneur Awards therefore served as more than a celebration of individual achievements. The event highlighted the importance of creating an environment where women farmers can access the resources, knowledge and networks needed to develop sustainable businesses. Financial literacy, resilience, value addition, mentorship and partnerships all emerged as important elements in supporting women entrepreneurs. The messages shared by business leaders, government representatives, former award winners and community leaders also reinforced the need for women to see themselves as producers, employers, business owners and leaders. These combined efforts can help strengthen the role of women in agriculture while supporting broader economic development in Vhembe District.

The celebration at Ngewnani ya ha Themeli demonstrated the growing recognition of women as important contributors to the agricultural economy and the future of rural communities. From primary production to entrepreneurship and value addition, women in Vhembe are creating opportunities that extend beyond their individual farms and businesses. Their achievements show the importance of resilience, sound financial management, innovation and a willingness to pursue new opportunities. Continued partnerships between government, financial institutions, educational organisations, municipalities and private sector stakeholders can help more women turn agricultural potential into sustainable enterprises. The 2026 Vhembe District Women Entrepreneur Awards ultimately delivered a clear message: when women receive recognition and meaningful support, they can strengthen businesses, create jobs, build communities and contribute significantly to the growth of the agricultural sector and the local economy.