The Female Entrepreneur of the Year Awards were initiated in 1999 with the aim of encouraging the participation of women and women with disabilities in agricultural activities.

The MMC for Local Economic Development in Mopani, Councillor Christinah Mohale said the hosting of the Mopani District Female Entrepreneur of the Year Prize Award Ceremony in August is significant because it coincides with the Women’s Month celebrations.

“The event underlines the importance of the contribution women continue to make in our country.

As we honour our heroines who confronted the brutal apartheid regime in 1956, we also need to celebrate these women gathered here today who are confronting the challenges of the day, which is unemployment, poverty and inequality,” she said.

Mohale, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Executive Mayor, Pule Shai said the district will work with farmers around issues of access to market.

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“We know that there is an outcry by some of our farmers who do farming and have fresh produce but accessing the market still remains a challenge.

The district municipality has set aside a budget where we are going to meet all farmers across the district and interact with them.”

“This interaction will also serve as a platform for farmers to share best practices and also the challenges they encounter in the sector.

I also want to take this opportunity and commend all farmers who are continuing with their farming activities despite the drought that has hit the district municipal area,” she said.