Garden Route’s Siseko Ngqele named Western Cape technical operator of the year

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The attention to detail that earned a Garden Route agricultural worker two regional awards has now brought him provincial recognition.

Siseko Ngqele of PHC Garden of Eden Berries has been named the 2026 Western Cape provincial technical operator of the year, adding to the two titles he secured at the Garden Route regional competition in August.

Ngqele, who is from Mossel Bay, works at PHC Brandwag near the town. The farm forms part of the PHC and Garden of Eden Berries operation, which also has farms in the George area, including Groeneweide in Geelhoutboom and a strawberry plant nursery in Waboomskraal.

The provincial awards ceremony took place at Eureka Estate in Durbanville earlier this month.

This year’s competition attracted 1 380 participants from 16 regions, with 167 contestants progressing to the provincial round across 11 categories.

An agricultural management graduate from Nelson Mandela University’s George campus, Ngqele said his success came just five months after joining PHC Garden of Eden Berries.

He represented the Garden Route after winning both the regional technical operator and overall agri worker of the year awards at the regional gala in George on 21 August.

For Ngqele, the latest recognition reflects the knowledge and precision required behind the scenes of successful crop production.

“Being recognised as a technical operator goes beyond the practical work in the field. It represents the science, precision and technical understanding behind successful crop production,” he said.

His work involves understanding how plants respond to growing conditions, monitoring crop performance, identifying problems and making informed decisions. Sustainable practices, he said, also play a role in improving crop health, productivity and quality.

“It is a reminder that behind every successful crop is a combination of knowledge, attention to detail, science and hands-on commitment.”

When George Herald covered his regional success in August, Ngqele described work that included checking EC and pH levels, completing scouting sheets, monitoring yellow traps and analysing sap.

At the time, PHC Brandwag farm manager Renier Beetge praised his potential and enthusiasm, saying he had quickly found his feet and demonstrated the attention to detail needed in an intensive strawberry farming operation.

Ngqele also expressed a desire to use his experience to encourage the next generation to consider careers in agriculture.

The Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards, coordinated by the provincial Department of Agriculture, recognise agricultural workers’ contributions while promoting skills development, leadership and career growth.

Reflecting on his provincial achievement, Ngqele said he was “grateful for the recognition, proud of the journey and motivated to keep growing in the agricultural industry”.

Ngqele (second from the left) with other representatives from the Garden Route at the awards function.