te near Ceres as a youth worker, was soon
bitten by the fruit bug and asked to be
moved to the fruit section where she started
as a general worker. Today she is the junior
human resources manager on the farm.
“Charmaine is one of those people who grab
every opportunity that presents itself. She
loves people, has excellent work ethics and is
someone we can always rely on in our business,” said Marina du Toit, her manager.
Earl Loxton, New Entrant of the Year, is busy
making his mark as a successful commercial
grower in the Northern Cape. In 2011, Loxton, who obtained his diploma in agriculture
at Elsenburg, was awarded plot 593 in the
Eksteensvlei community outside Keimoes.
When Loxton arrived there, the vineyards
were old, neglected and in a poor condition.
The plot was not profitable and Loxton started a renewal programme. Currently, he has
35 hectares of raisin grapes and 7,5 hectares
of wine grapes. Loxton is planning to diversify while he is growing other crops to generate cash. For the past three years, Loxton also formed part of the Dried Fruit Technical
Services Jobs Fund development programme. Through this initiative, he planted
another 9,3 hectares of raisin grapes.
Dr Piet Stassen, Innovator of the Year, was
honoured for his contribution as scientist
and researcher, spanning the past 45 years.
Stassen’s work in various agricultural
spheres can be described as pioneering and
groundbreaking and his research protocols
are applied locally as well as internationally.
He is currently evaluating rootstocks for the
stone fruit industry.
The O.S.H. Reinecke Industry Leader Award
went to Jack van Dyk, for his outstanding
work in labour law in the fruit industry. Van
Dyk was a public prosecutor and magistrate
before he entered the fruit industry in 1982.
He was a founding member and for many
years the chairman of the Cape Agri Employers’ Organisation. Even though he is now
retired, Van Dyk still plays an important role
in the Laborie Dialogue Initiative which tackles sensitive labour and rural issues.
Freelance science writer Engela Duvenage
received the Izethelo Award for media excellence. Duvenage was recognized for her contributions in making the agri-science more
accessible for the general public.
The Deciduous Fruit Gala Event has been
held annually for the past 41 years.
Fruit Winners! From left to right: Charmaine Scholtz, Specialist Agricultural Worker of the Year;
Irene Jansen, General Agricultural Worker of the Year; Earl Loxton, New Entrant of the Year; Jack
van Dyk, O.S.H. Reinecke Industry Leader of the Year; Engela Duvenage received the Izethelo
Media Award; Sivuyile Maguga Solitswayi, General Agricultural Worker of the Year. Dr Piet Stassen, Inno vator of the Year could not attend the event.