The Dirang Mmogo Business Enterprise (DBME) as it is popularly known are the overall winners of the inaugural Youth Awards. The youthful enterprise scooped both the Best commercial enterprise and emerged the overall winners of the day. The largest instant lawn producers in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district walked away with R30 000 cash prize as well as R1500 voucher from the Noordwes Kooperasie (NWK).
The youth awards ceremony is an initiative of the department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) aimed at recognising the role played by young people in showcasing dynamism towards agriculture transformation as well rural development in the province.
The awards further aim to proliferate a new meaning to agriculture by demystifying the general perception of agriculture as a least career choice of young people. The awards hosted for the first time in the province, drew a number of prominent figures including Premier Supra Mahumapelo, Other MECs as well as leaders in private agricultural sector.
The leading winners, Dirang Mmogo being run by two young men, Vincent Mazinyo and Kelly Phokoile started in 2003 and specialises in Kikuyu grass which is the most common lawn in North West province. Both members say they were able to sustain their trade because their choice of grass is affordable, grows fast and drought tolerant.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Vincent Mazinyo said the team appreciated the recognition. He said they have grown as a business and continue to do their best to secure a sustainable market position. "Our grass is completely natural.
We grow it on our farm and cut it into rolls and deliver as desired. To date we have customers which include individuals and have done some work for recreational facilities around the area," he explained. DBME's dedication and hard has previously won them provincial awards including the North West Premier's Youth Awards in 2008.
When addressing young farmers during the event, Premier Supra Mahumapelo urged them to utilise their different talents. He emphasised that everyone is in a journey and every journey has challenges. Premier encouraged them not to hesitate as challenges demand young confrontational mindset. He congratulated all participants and encouraged all to strive to be the best.
In addition to Premier's sentiments, MEC for READ, Manketsi Tlhape said engaging youth in agriculture and rural development was a very prominent topic that risen up the development agenda as there was a growing concern worldwide that young people have become disenchanted with agriculture.
MEC Tlhape emphasised that it was important for young people to embrace agriculture as a potential economic game changer. "Agriculture is identified as one of the main pillars for job creation by the current National Development Programme (NDP). This laudable objective is hoped to be achieved through the regeneration of agriculture and agro-processing to kindling economic growth and job creation," she explained.
She further called upon young people to develop themselves and to look closely into agriculture as a better choice today.
The other winners of the awards are:
- Lwazi piggery for Best Youth Agro-processing (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati)
- Mothutlong Youth Agric Farming Coop for Best Youth Based Cooperative (Bojanala District Municipality)
- Taje Farming Enterprise for Best Youth Enterprise (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati)
- Isagwe Solution for Best Innovative enterprise (Bojanala District Municipality)
- Ntswaki Mphuthi for Best Researched Journal
Each winner walked with R10 000 cash prize as well a R500 voucher from NWK.
Enquiries:
Tsholofelo Dintwe
Tel: 018 389 5768
Cell: 083 576 7655 / 079 946 7486
E-mail: tsholofelod@nwpg.gov.za
