South Africa’s agricultural achievers took centre stage at the 2026 Agricultural Writers SA National Awards, held at Avianto in Muldersdrift on 13 November.
The prestigious evening celebrated the farmers, agricultural professionals and communicators whose innovation, dedication and expertise are helping shape the future of South African agriculture.
Willem Groothof was named Farmer of the Year, Angelo Marman received the New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture Award, and Jade Smith was honoured as Agriculturalist of the Year. Excellence in agricultural journalism, communication and photography was also recognised across several award categories.
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Photo 1: Lindi Botha (chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA), Andries Wiese (Hollard), Farmer of the Year Willem Groothof and Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp.
Photo 2: Lindi Botha (Chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA); Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp; New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year Angelo Marman; and Amanda Louw (Case IH).
Photo 3: Lindi Botha (Chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA); Hendrik van Staden (Syngenta); Agriculturalist of the Year Jade Smith; and Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp.
Photo 4: Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp; New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year Angelo Marman; Farmer of the Year Willem Groothof; Agriculturalist of the Year Jade Smith; and Lindi Botha (Chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA).
Photo 5: Back row: Daneel Rossouw (Nedbank), Hendrik van Staden (Syngenta), Amanda Louw (Case IH) and Andries Wiese (Hollard). Front row: New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year Angelo Marman; Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp; Agriculturalist of the Year Jade Smith; Farmer of the Year Willem Groothof; and Lindi Botha, Chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA.
