Limpopo farmer honoured at SA agriculture awards

Limpopo young farmer Wendy Moshakga has been crowned Rural Transformative Farmer of the Year at the 2025 South Africa Agricultural Awards held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

At just 27, the first-generation farmer from Blood River continues to make waves in the agricultural sector through resilience, innovation, and community empowerment.

Moshakga began her farming journey in 2021, specialising in cabbage production. Her path, however, has been marked by significant challenges.

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Earlier this year, Moshakga lost more than 200,000 cabbages to severe hailstorms, a harsh reminder of the growing threats posed by climate change.

Despite the devastation, she remains determined to strengthen her operations and is seeking funding to install greenhouses to protect future crops and ensure consistent production.

Beyond her farming activities, Moshakga is also an emerging agricultural educator and author. She has written a comprehensive book on cabbage farming and hosts monthly classes to empower aspiring farmers with practical, hands-on knowledge.

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Her passion for teaching stems from her own struggle. After two years of unemployment, she turned to farming using recycled cans to raise her initial capital, an early sign of the creativity and perseverance that define her success.

Today, Moshakga operates a 15-hectare leased farm, employing 5 permanent and 15 temporary workers, and mentoring 10 agricultural graduates. Her recent acquisition of a 20-hectare farm marks a new chapter of expansion and opportunity.

Moshakga’s story stands as a powerful example of rural transformation, inspiring hope and economic growth across Limpopo’s agricultural landscape.