The Women’s Voices in Agriculture Competition, now in its third year, continues to highlight the remarkable achievements and aspirations of women who are making a difference in agriculture and rural communities across South Africa. Once again truly inspiring entries from across the country were received, each reflecting a story of resilience, leadership, and innovation in the sector.
After a rigorous evaluation process, five finalists were invited to a prestigious gala event at Villa Arcadia on the Hollard campus in Parktown, Johannesburg.
During the event, the finalists had a final opportunity to share their views on a topic of their choice and explain its impact on their lives, agricultural careers, communities, and the environment. The panel discussion tested their ability to present structured, well-reasoned opinions, after which an independent panel of judges selected the winner.
Future Agri Perspectives with its competitions sponsors are proud to announce that the winner of the 2026 Women’s Voices in Agriculture Competition is Carla Myburgh. Carla is an Agricultural Economist and Credit Liaison Officer at SENWES.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech, she inspired women across the sector to recognise their rightful place in agriculture and to believe in the difference they can make.
The two runners-up were:
- Frist runner-up (second place) – Christel Basson.
- Second runner-up (third place) – Petru Fourie.
The 5 finalists in the Women’s Voices in Agriculture Competition were:
- Petru Fourie
- Grietha van Rensburg
- Boniswa Kuhle Dlamini
- Carla Myburgh
- Christel Basson
“After reviewing the entries, it is a pity that only five finalists could be selected. The topics of the entrants emphasised the meaningful role women play in the broader agricultural sector. It was clear that the possibilities are endless. The entries highlighted the sector’s vast possibilities and emphasised the meaningful role women play in agricultural sector. I feel that each of the woman showed courage to enter and is therefore already a winner. By participating she has contributed towards her own personal development. Congratulations to all of them,” Magda du Toit, one of the Directors Future Agri Perspectives said.
Du Toit urged women in the sector to continue championing diversity in agriculture, emphasising that every story shared, every barrier broken, and every innovation fostered contributes to a brighter, more inclusive agricultural sector for all.
During the gala event women who played pioneering roles in agriculture were also honoured. From the left are: Annelise Crosby, Legal Specialist at Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz); Dr Renée Prins, Founding Director CenGen Pty Ltd; Dr Fhumulani Ratshitanga, CEO Fruit SA; Wiana Louw, General Manager of the Southern African Grain Laboratory NPC (SAGL); and Rona Beukes, Senior Statistician: Crop Estimates and Agricultural Statistics in the Directorate: Statistics and Economic Analysis at the Department of Agriculture.
The Women’s Voices in Agriculture Competition seeks to create a platform for women in agriculture to discuss agricultural issues and ultimately influence public and industry discourse. It aims to encourage well-thought-out and accurate deliberation of topics relating to agriculture.
“By sharing their insights, the finalists in the 2025 competition shed new light on many aspects impacting on agriculture,” Andries Wiese, business development manager at Hollard and main sponsor of the competition pointed out.
“Women’s Voices in Agriculture Competition recognises the leadership, innovation, and practical impact of women across agriculture and rural communities. Our commitment to this event is a commitment to recognising, uplifting, and connecting women in agriculture. By amplifying their voices and celebrating their achievements, we help build a more inclusive and sustainable future for agriculture. Meaningful change happens through genuine partnership and a deep understanding of the people who make the sector thrive. As a key sponsor, Hollard helps amplify the voices of women shaping the sector and is a catalyst for positive and enduring change,” Wiese added.
The agricultural landscape has become a field of abundant opportunities for women who are bold enough to seize those. According to Jaclin van Rooyen, Finance head Sub-Saharan Africa Syngenta Seeds, women wear many hats bringing responsibilities and more demands.
“We are mothers, wives and managers of our households, all while being dedicated corporate professionals. As a woman in agriculture, the Women’s Voices in Agriculture Competition platform is deeply personal to me. When we choose to be in the corporate environment, we also choose to manage the delicate balance of all these roles to the absolute best of our ability every single day, even though it is not always easy. To all the finalists, thank you for the work you do every day to drive agriculture forward. Your achievements deserve to be celebrated, but more importantly, your journeys inspire others to believe that they, too, belong in the industry and can make a meaningful difference,” Van Rooyen noted.
A woman’s voice in agriculture represents resilience, leadership, innovation, and stewardship across generations stated Allen Chapingidza, Head of Sales Enablement at FNB Private.
From the left: Christel Basson, first runner-up, Carla Myburgh, winner, and Petru Fourie second runner-up in the 2026 Women’s Voice in Agriculture Competition.
“Our continued involvement in the Women’s Voices in Agriculture Competition reflects our long-term commitment to empowering women in business and recognizing the vital role they play in shaping the future of agriculture. At FNB Private, we are passionate about helping agricultural families fund growth, sustain their legacy, implement succession planning, transfer generational wealth, and leverage smart financial solutions that support their businesses through every season. By investing in women who lead, influence and grow agricultural enterprises, we are helping to build stronger businesses, thriving communities and a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
According to Johan Bezuidenhout, Group Manager Corporate Marketing and Communication at NWK, it is an honour to be able to acknowledge all the dynamic women involved in the agriculture sector. “We have to acknowledge all the finalists for their passion, energy, and drive. We also salute this year’s winner. Well done! To us Women’s Voices in Agriculture Competition is a partnership that not only works, but that adds value to the broader agriculture community. Partnerships are important to NWK, and we hope that through this partnership with Agri Future Perspectives and this competition, we can work together to achieve a common goal – a more inclusive agricultural sector.”
Representing Empire Fleet Kirsten Angiers stressed that the empowerment of women was extremely important to the company. ”Only if you empower all women, will society be able to function as an empowered unit. When a women is empowered, a legacy begins!”
Pioneers honoured
During the gala event women who played pioneering roles in agriculture were also honoured.
They were Dr Fhumulani Ratshitanga, CEO Fruit SA; Wiana Louw, General Manager of the Southern African Grain Laboratory NPC (SAGL); Dr Renée Prins, Founding Director CenGen Pty Ltd.; Rona Beukes, Senior Statistician: Crop Estimates and Agricultural Statistics in the Directorate: Statistics and Economic Analysis at the Department of Agriculture; and Annelise Crosby, Legal Specialist at Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz).
In 2024 Prof Estie van Marle-Köster, associate professor University of Pretoria; Dr Langa Simela, business development manager at ABSA; Mariana Purnell, former general manager Agbiz Grain; Dr Lukeshni Chetty, general manager SANSOR; and Prof Hettie Schönfeldt, University of Pretoria were honoured for the role they played throughout their career paving the way for the next generation of women in the agricultural sector.
In 2025 Dr Marinda Visser, Director: Strategic Projects and Partnerships in Agriculture, University of Pretoria Innovation Africa; Karen Nel, owner Design Biologix; Prof Driekie Fourie, Technical Product Lead Syngenta Seedcare; Prof Sonja Venter, Extraordinary Professor, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, were recognised for their contributions towards the sector over years.
