August is a month in which we celebrate women. Women who inspire, care, lead, stand up, and make a difference every day. It is an opportunity to reflect on the incredible strength, courage, and resilience of women, but also to acknowledge the contribution that every woman, young or old, makes to her community and the world around her.

Read on for the latest news from the Koue Bokkeveld Training Centre. There are many exciting courses ahead on the training calendar for the rest of the year.

Despite it being Women's Month, we do not typically picture a Black woman when we hear the term "young farmer." Yet, one of the top five students who completed the Young Farmer Program is Zokwanda Hiazo from Tandfontein.
This is a remarkable achievement for several reasons. Zokwanda’s Afrikaans is only average, yet many of the classes and discussions were conducted in Afrikaans; she had to work hard to keep up. Furthermore, she was the only woman in the course. She is grateful to have been part of a group where her classmates were friendly and accepting. There was also only one other student with whom she could speak Xhosa. She articulates well just how stressful it is to be the only woman at an event like an orchard walk - especially when everything is being discussed in your third language. People who have never personally experienced such a situation do not always grasp how difficult it is. She was also among the youngest students in the group. Despite the challenges, she finished among the top five in the class.
Zokwanda truly shines out in the orchard. She has a genuine love for the orchards and wants to learn everything she can. Watching her interact with her supervisors is enlightening; she is respectful and listens carefully to their plans, yet she is simultaneously clear about her own expectations. She understands how to navigate group dynamics. Zokwanda reports to Kulu van Zyl - who describes her as a "powerhouse" - and who enrolled her in the Young Farmer Program.
Zokwanda has long been exposed to agriculture, as her mother worked as a farm health worker. She holds an agricultural qualification from CPUT and plans to complete her B.Tech degree through Unisa. Her biggest challenge: a driver's license!

August 10th marked our annual occasion to acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate women. It was a day filled with emotion and joy. We laughed, danced, and even shed a few tears.
We want to extend a special thank you to every farm, partner, and man who plays a role in the lives of these women. We see you, too; the support, care, and contributions you offer to positively influence women's lives are noticed and appreciated.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating, strengthening, and empowering women.

The AgriSETA funding window is currently open, and we encourage all members to take advantage of this opportunity by applying for available funding.

Although our funding applications to AgriSETA have not always met with success in recent years, it is important to remember that every new application window brings new possibilities. Funding priorities, available budgets, and selection criteria often change from year to year. Consequently, a project that was previously unsuccessful might well be approved this year.

By persisting and submitting well-prepared, high-quality applications, we not only increase our chances of success but also contribute to skills development within our enterprises and the broader agricultural industry. The benefits of funded training, internships, and skills programmes extend far beyond individual businesses, helping to build a stronger, more sustainable agricultural sector.

The current funding window closes on 15 September and covers the following projects, among others:
•    Bursaries
•    Internships
•    Workplace placements
•    Learnerships
•    Skills programmes
•    Artisan training

If you are interested in applying for any of these projects, please send the required documentation to admin02@kbos.co.za as soon as possible. The sooner the documents are received, the more time there is to ensure that your application is submitted completely and correctly. Do not lose heart if previous applications were unsuccessful. Every application is a new opportunity. Submit your application, stay positive, and join us in investing in training and skills development.