Press release
The New Harvest competition is aimed at individuals who have owned or operated/managed a farm for five years and longer and who overcame a previously disadvantaged background to become a successful commercial farmer.
Former winners were Mr. Meshack Ndongeni (2024), Mr. Naeem Jina (2023), Mr. Vumile Mzinzi (2022), Me. Beverley Joseph (2021), Mr. Sewis van den Horst (2019), Mr. Whernit Dirks (2018), Mr. Ricard Myburg (2017), Mr. André Cloete (2016), Me. Jacqueline Goliath (2015), Mr. Trevor Abrahams (2014), Mr. Warren Bam (2013), Mr. Gilbert Phalafala (2012), Mr. Gift Mafuleka (2011), Mr. Moses Gumede (2010), Mr. Solly Rantsomane (2009) and the late Mr. Thando Lolwane (2008).
This is the 4th year that the Toyota Communal Association competition is being held with previous winners Vooruitkyk Cooperative (2022), Eksteenskuil Agricultural Cooperative Ltd. (2023) and Modulaqhowa Primary Cooperative (2024). The Communal Farming Association competition is aimed at groups comprising of at least 5 people who have been in existence for three years and longer and who overcame a previously disadvantaged background to become a successful farming group.
The objective of both competitions is to recognize and reward excellence in farming. In this regard Toyota SA is sponsoring the winning New Harvest farmer with a new Toyota Hilux bakkie while the winning developing institution (nominator) for this competition will be awarded with a cash prize of R10,000 (that should preferably be spent on the further development of such farmers). The winning Communal Association group is sponsored by Toyota SA with R300,000 worth of agricultural inputs to be used on their farming unit and the nominator also awarded with a cash prize of R10,000.
You and your firm/organisation/department/institution/agency have been identified as being involved in the development of new PDI farmers in South Africa. If you in person are not involved in or responsible for such activities, please divert this email to the relevant person in your organization and/or the (managing) director (and please CC me the correct person to contact so that I can update my database), or maybe you are aware of suitable candidates to whom you can send this entry form. If you do not want to receive this email, please inform me accordingly and accept my apology.
Your company/department/organization will get much publicity if your nominating candidate is selected as a finalist for the competition, not even to mention winning the competition! All that is required from you is to identify and nominate such a successful individual and/or farming group that your institution assisted through development activities or other types of support. Please ask your candidate to complete Section A of the relevant entry form (attached), where after you (as nominating agency) must complete Section B, then scan both (filled/completed and signed) forms, and email it to [email protected]. I shall confirm receipt of your entry form by email.
The entry requirements, procedure and adjudication criteria are included in the respective entry forms – please read it carefully. However, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time at 083 445 2662 or email me at [email protected] if you have any queries. Also remember that previous entrants/finalists may enter the competition again (but not previous winners). The names of the finalists will be announced on 15 September 2025, whereafter the on-farm adjudication of finalists will take place between 22 September and 10 October 2025. The eventual winners will be announced at a function in Gauteng on 26 November 2025.
I am looking forward in receiving your entry/entries before or on Friday, 29 August 2025.
Kind regards
Prof. Carlu van der Westhuizen
Convener/chairperson of the panel of adjudicators
Photo: Chanita Sykes on Pexels
