Agri talent goes on a roadshow

Agri’s Got Talent (AGT), which usually takes the form of a talent competition, this year celebrated a decade of music with a Reunion Show and Roadshow in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape, during which previous years’ top contestants performed and showed how the project had enriched their lives.

Trips were planned to Langkloof and Eastern Cape, but these had to be postponed.

AGT is the brainchild of Hortgro’s executive director, Anton Rabe, who wanted to give the world a glimpse of the ‘real’ people who work in the South African fruit industry, and recognise talents other than those associated with farm work.

Rabe sees the competition as an example of the multi-dimensional nature of agriculture and rural communities, and the contribution that this sector can make to unlock the potential of the country.

Since Hortgro first hosted the event in 2014, the South African wine and table grape industries, and the Citrus Growers Association and Western Cape Department of Agriculture had also became involved.

Phil Bowes, wine manager at Industry Transformation Advisory, said that the wine industry had proudly co-crafted and sponsored AGT since the year after its inception.

“Agri’s Got Talent truly bridges the divide between the vineyards and the stage, with six top three finalists from our industry having captivated hearts since 2014,” he said.

AGT is more than just a singing competition. Rabe pointed out that previous contestants, not only top contestants, had become true ambassadors for their employers, farms, packhouses and communities, had inspired their colleagues and made a real difference in the lives of the youth.

PHOTOS: GLENNEIS KRIEL LFET: Agri‘s Got Talent‘s 10-year Reunion Show was recently held in Paarl in the Western Cape. BELOW: From left: Ciska Oranje, Zenobia Pietersen, Gertholine Philander, Jasmine Bones, Erien van Rooy and Mariska Jaars sang Brenda Fassie‘s song, ‘Weekend Special‘.