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Western Cape announces

Top Agricultural Employee

Anton Alexander has been named Alan Winde, Minister of Economic
the winner of the 2016 Prestige Agri Opportunities, congratulated “Through the Prestige Agri Worker
Worker Awards. Alexander and praised the example he Forum, I am looking forward to
sets for others. working with Anton on growing our
Alexander hails from the Elgin, sector, especially in encouraging
Grabouw, Vyeboom and Villiersdorp “Anton is an ambassador for our our agri workers to take their careers
(EGV&V) region where he works as agriculture sector. He’s making a to new heights,” said Winde.
an HR (human resources) officer at major contribution to the farm where
the Ouwerf Farm (Crookes Brothers). he works, but he is also dedicated to The Western Cape Prestige Agri
encouraging young people to enter Awards is co-sponsored by the
“Agriculture is more than a job, it is the sector. By being dedicated to his Western Cape Department of
a lifestyle,” commented Alexander, work, and by learning new skills, he Agriculture and Shoprite, Africa’s
who was named the Western Cape’s has achieved major progression in largest food retailer.
top agricultural employee at a gala his career. I am confident that his
ceremony that took place at the success will serve as an inspiration “Communities are at the core of
Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl on to young agriculturalists.” Shoprite’s business - they are our
Saturday (5 November 2016) night. customers, our employees and of
In addition to winning the title of the course our suppliers. Agri workers
Alexander has been working at the Western Cape’s Agri Worker of the make such an important contribution
Ouwerf Farm for the past twenty Year 2016, Alexander also won an to South Africa’s economy – these
years. Initially employed as a general iPad Air sponsored by Daleen Turner individuals are the reason we’re
worker, he has held different positions, Consultancy, a R20 000 Shoprite gift able to sell quality produce in our
including that of a tractor driver and voucher, a R60 000 overseas study supermarkets on a daily basis,”
supervisor, before being promoted to tour and R20 000 cash sponsored said Dr Johan van Deventer, General
HR officer. by the Western Cape Department of Manager at Freshmark (Shoprite’s
Agriculture. Alexander also joins the fruit and vegetable procurement and
Alexander hopes his achievement will competition’s previous winners as a distribution arm).
inspire others: “If we are proud of member of the Minister for Economic
who we are, it will spill over to the Opportunities’ Prestige Agri Worker Source: Western Cape Department of
next generation.” Forum.
Agriculture

08 Die Plaaswerker | The Farm Worker