Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini’s women farmers are once again in the spotlight as the Woman Farmer Foundation (WFF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, unveiled the top 10 finalists for the prestigious Woman Farmer of the Year 2025 competition.
The announcement, made ahead of the upcoming prize-giving ceremony on 23 October 2025 at Riders Ranch in Sidvokodvo, marks another milestone in recognising women who continue to drive innovation, sustainability, and excellence within the country’s agricultural sector.
Now in its 18th edition, the competition celebrates outstanding achievements among women and youth in agriculture, particularly those farming under the Swazi Nation Land framework. This year’s contest attracted 247 participants from across Eswatini’s four ecological regions, with Manzini Region recording the highest number of entrants — a testament to its growing reputation as a hub for agricultural innovation.
According to the organisers, the selection process was highly competitive. Agricultural experts from NAMBoard, the National Maize Corporation, World Vision, the Dairy Board, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Woman Farmer Foundation assessed the entrants through a rigorous evaluation process. The top 15 candidates in each category were eventually narrowed down to the final 10, based on innovation, productivity, sustainability, and community impact.
The top 10 adult finalists in the Women Farmers category are Sibongile Ndaba, Zine Zanele Mngometulu, Tiletsile Paulibue Mdziniso, Nelisiwe Zodwa Mashaba, Joyce Ndzinisa, Eli Olivia Dlamini, Jabulile Leni Shabangu, Jabu S. Tsabedze, Dumsile Ruth Madolo, and Gugu Beatrice Malinga.
The top 10 youth finalists are Lindelwa Masango, Andile Maphindile Nhlengetfwa, Philips Fakudze, Phumzile Happy Thwala, Boniswa Dlamini, Sinegugu Mabuza, Phetsile Fortunate Bhembe, Nontsetselelo Mamba, Lungile Thembumezi Twaybo, and Sihlelelwe Pamela Lukhele.
In a statement, Sebenele Zwane, Programmes Officer at the Woman Farmer Foundation, congratulated the finalists for their remarkable achievements. “The Woman Farmer Foundation congratulates all top 10 finalists in both categories and wishes them the best ahead of the prize-giving ceremony. Their passion, resilience, and innovation continue to inspire women across the country to view farming as both a livelihood and a path to empowerment,” she said.
One of the youth finalists, Thandiwe Dlamini from Manzini, expressed her excitement at being recognised among the country’s top emerging farmers. “Being selected among the top 10 is a dream come true,” she said. “I hope my work inspires other young women to take up agriculture and find creative ways to make a difference in their communities.”
The upcoming award ceremony will be graced by Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, and is expected to celebrate not only the achievements of the finalists but also the transformative role of women-led agriculture in achieving Eswatini’s food security and rural development goals.
As anticipation builds, the Woman Farmer of the Year competition continues to plant seeds of excellence — empowering women, nurturing innovation, and shaping a sustainable agricultural future for Eswatini.
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