The annual PGP Day of Celebration was held at NAMPO Park on 2 October this year and was hosted by Grain SA’s Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP). It was an evening where excellence within the farmer development programme was honoured.
Together with the PGP Ukukhula conference earlier that day, these events marked a turning point for farmer development, transformation, and collaboration in the grain and livestock industries. It united farmers, government, financiers, insurers, and value chain leaders in a single, solution-focused platform that placed developing grain farmers at the centre of the national agricultural dialogue.
PGP is Grain SA’s flagship farmer development programme, supporting black grain farmers from subsistence level to new era commercial production. Through mentorship, training, access to inputs, finance, and markets, PGP ensures that every farmer has the tools and knowledge to grow sustainably – driving transformation across South Africa’s grain value chain.
During the joyous PGP Day of Celebration event farmers from across the country were recognised for their achievements in productivity, innovation, and resilience, with awards presented in four prestigious categories:
- New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year
- Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year
- Smallholder Farmer of the Year
- Subsistence Farmer of the Year
The 2025 Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial award for Subsistence Farmer of the Year went to Rameshego Sarah Mahladi from Mpumalanga. Mahladi is actively involved in her community. Jerry Mthombhoti, regional development manager at PGP, describes her as the best farmer he has ever met, noting that she follows correct production practices and achieved excellent yields over the past two years despite numerous challenges. She planted 2,5 ha of maize, making a significant difference in the lives of her family and community.
The other finalists in this category were Boyees Mrwetyana (Eastern Cape) and Lindiwe Khubeka (KwaZulu-Natal).
In the Smallholder Farmer of the Year category, the 2025 Grain SA/Land Bank award went to Itumeleng Naphtaly Mongane from North West. He joined Grain SA in 2012, which introduced him to a new approach to farming. ‘I am wholeheartedly grateful to Grain SA,’ he said. Mongane planted 45 ha of maize in the previous season and produced a strong yield.
Other finalists in this category were Vusumuzi Mnyandu (Mpumalanga) and Magolela Ali Morena (Limpopo).
Madinda Jabulani Matshinini from the Free State was named Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year, walking away with the 2025 Grain SA award. A qualified engineer, he runs a cleverly diversified farming operation. ‘You have to love farming, be determined, and believe in yourself to become a successful farmer,’ he said.
Other finalists in this category were Jacob Twala (KwaZulu-Natal) and Nkosana Mtimkulu (North West).
The winner of the 2025 Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year award was Botlhale Jacob Tshabalala from North West, who received a brand-new John Deere 5075E tractor.
From humble beginnings, as the son of a subsistence farmer, Tshabalala has risen to become a celebrated farmer. ‘You have to have pride in and love for farming to succeed,’ he said. During the previous season he planted only sunflower, and he also manages a commercial cattle herd.
He expressed his gratitude to Grain SA and to his mentor, Du Toit (Thabo) van der Westhuizen.
Other finalists in this category were Mpho Munyai (Gauteng) and Simphiwe Mabuza (Mpumalanga).
The Day of Celebration was a fitting conclusion to a day of insight and inspiration –acknowledging the farmers whose success stories embody the transformation, growth, and shared purpose at the heart of PGP.
