Agri's got Talent

Agri’s got Talent – a singing competition and life skills programme for agricultural workers in the fruit and wine industries – is a joint venture between HORTGRO and the Vinpro Foundation, representative organisations for these two industries, as well as the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. SATI sponsors the aftercare programme.

The initiative includes voice and stage training, a singing competition and life skills workshop. The winner, who are announced at a gala evening, receives a cash prize and the opportunity to perform at agricultural events. 2018 will be the competition’s fifth year running.

Thoughts on the project:

“Through Agri’s got Talent, the organisations involved recognise that the individuals working on South African wine and fruit farms, cellars and packhouses have other valuable talents that they can use to effect change in their communities. The competition’s skills programme focuses on self-esteem and self-confidence, leaving the entrants with a sense of achievement. HORTGRO and the VinPro Foundation seek to build an industry on the capabilities of its people and this project supports us in doing that. We are proud to be associated with this project and wish all the finalists luck in their upcoming training and performances.”

– Unathi Mantshongo, Vinpro Foundation

“The Agri’s got Talent project gives fruit and wine industry workers a platform to showcase their musical gifts, while developing skills with which they can make a difference in their communities. The competition is an example of the multi-dimentional nature of agriculture and rural communities as a whole and the contribution that this sector can make to unlock the potential of this country.”

– Anton Rabe, HORTGRO Executive Director (The Agri’s got Talent project is Rabe’s brainchild and he hopes that the show will take root in the bigger agricultural landscape in South Africa.)

“Ek was uit die staanspoor ongelooflik opgewonde oor hierdie projek.  Nie net dat ek kan deel wees daarvan nie, maar dat dit wel bestaan en gebeur! En nie sommerso showtjie is wat aanmekaar gesit word sodat iemand kon sê, ‘Ek het my deel gedoen vir die landbou en sy mense’ nie, maar ‘n properse gala aand waarop al die deelnemers en organiseerders kan trots wees  Voorwaar ‘n hoogtepunt op my jaarkalender!”

– Frieda van der Heever, Onafhanklike sangafrigter (Reeds 5 jaar betrokke by AGT se jaarlikse opleidingsweek, asook Gala aand)