KZN agricultural education shines at 2024 SAFJA awards
(From left) Mr Khanyile, Mr Jabulani Ngciva and Mr Siyanda Buthelezi from Owen Sithole College of Agriculture receive SAFJA’s award for 2024 Champion Educational Institution from Greg Talbot, CEO of Tal-Tec Industries.
KwaZulu-Natal educational institutions took the top two awards at the South African Fatstock Judging Association’s (SAFJA) gala awards held on Friday evening, at Platrand Lodge near Ladysmith.
Owen Sithole college of Agriculture (OSCA) in Empangeni was named Champion Educational Institution for 2024, with a score of 79.50, and Weston Agricultural College was named First Reserve Champion Educational Institution for 2024, with a score of 73.00.
Both institutions were entered to participate in the 2024 Royal Agricultural Show.
This was a special win for OSCA, as on the eve of showing their fat stock at the 2024 Royal Agricultural Show, they were hit with a case of Foot and Mouth Disease in a neighbouring area.
The students were distraught at the thought of their hard work going to waste, but fortunately SAFJA judges were able to travel to OSCA to judge their animals on site.
As part of their win, OSCA was awarded a R5000 cash prize and R1000 worth of medications from Kyron Agri KZN.
Congratulations to our KZN agricultural education institutions for doing us proud!
(From left) Mr Khanyile, Mr Jabulani Ngciva and Mr Siyanda Buthelezi from Owen Sithole College of Agriculture with their SAFJA award for 2024 Champion Educational Institution, with SAFJA Secretary Andrew Adams.
