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November 2017
1: The winner of the 2017 Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial Subsistence Farmer of the Year was
Mavis Hlatshwayo. Here are Ferdie Marx, Dr Langelihle Simela, Jannie de Villiers and Mavis’ son,
Zansi. The other finalists were Simphiwe Gumbi and Ghsasa Dhlongolo.
2: Linda van der Merwe, Thembalihle Tobo (winner of the Grain SA/Syngenta Smallholder Farmer
of the Year), Derek Mathews (vice-chairperson, Grain SA) and Ramodisa Monaisa (vice-chairperson,
Grain SA and master of ceremonies). Meluxolo Mfoxo and Samson Shuwisa were the other two
contenders in this category.
3: This year a new category was added, the Grain SA/Monsanto Potential Commercial Farmer of
the Year. In front with the winner, Paul Malindi, is Jane McPherson. At the back are Dudu Mashile
and Ramodisa Monaisa. The other finalists were Ruben Motlhabane and Tshediso Maqala.
4: For 2017, the finalists in the category, Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial
Farmer of the Year were Edwin Mahlatsi, Vuyani Lolwane and Remember Mthethwa. With them
were Ferdie Marx (far left), Dr Langelihle Simela, and on the right Jaco Minnaar (chairperson,
Grain SA) and Ramodisa Monaisa.
5: Michris Janse van Rensburg (owner: Backsaver Farming Equipment), second from left, donated a
Backsaver hand planter and a manually propelled fertiliser applicator to Reginah Hlatshwayo
(far left) and Thalitha Mhkwanazi (second from right) from the Hereford West Village near
Ermelo in Mpumalanga. With them are Phumodzo Nachizea (extension officer from the Department
of Agriculture in Mpumalanga) and Jerry Mthombothi. Although these two ladies did not enter the
competition, Grain SA felt they should be awarded for their hard work.
6: Nophindile Tolo and Vuyiseka Mxesengana from the Eastern Cape were proud to show off their
Xhosa traditional wear.
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