AGRI’S GOT TALENT 2021 IS ABOUT HAVING FAITH
Faith Nogemane, a general worker from Wildekrans Wine Estate, Botriver became the 8th winner of Agri’s Got Talent on Friday, 1 October.
Due to the Covid-pandemic, the final event was live-streamed via social media platforms for the first time ever and saw the finalists bravely battle it out with heart and soul.
Ronel Radloff from Diemersfontein, Wellington was second, and Jack Jonas, from CRI Citrus Foundation Block, Uitenhage, took third place.
Historically the South African agricultural sector carries a heavy burden and often gets media attention for all the wrong reasons. Against this backdrop, Agri’s Got Talent (AGT) stands firm as a beacon of the human spirit and celebrates people for the fact that they are also mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, part of a community, immensely talented, and also have an opportunity to have their voices heard.
Faith who won the judges over with her performance of ‘Amazulu’ and ‘Stand up for love’ said that the event had a huge impact on her. “We learned so much in the past week, and although I was motivated to win, I was constantly aware of how talented the other finalists are.”
Apart from being a singing competition, AGT is also a social development programme for agricultural workers in the fruit and wine industries. The programme is a joint venture between Hortgro, the Citrus Growers’ Association, Vinpro, SATI (South African Table Grape Industry), and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.
All the finalists received voice, stage and media training. The finalists also get make-overs (including clothes and a self-care package) and self-development workshops hosted by Procare. These workshops specifically aim to grow finalists’ self-awareness and confidence, through soft skills development, such as conflict resolution, money and time management. These skills are invaluable for potential music careers but also in the work context.
Click on the image to watch each contestant’s interview.
Mariska van der Berg
Mariska van der Berg won Agri’s Got Talent in 2018 and was the first woman to win the competition since it’s start in 2014.
Mariska mostly sings Gospel and performs at various community events in the Western Cape. She currently runs a youth group and acts as motivational speaker. Her focus is young woman and to help them with handling abuse and building healthy relationships.
Jade Paige
Jade Paige is a musician, music teacher and choir conductor.
Jade was born in Heidelberg (Western Cape) and completed his school career in Oudtshoorn. He completed his studies in Music at the Conservatory of Stellenbosch University. He is a former member of Pieke Manssêr group, Stellenbosch University Choir and Stellenbosch University Chamber Choir.
He is currently a music teacher at Paarl Primary Boys’ School and choir conductor at DF Malan High School. He also has his own vocal group namely The Quartz.
Melanie Williss
Melanie Williss is Principal of Stagecoach Somerset West, a theatre arts school based in the Western Cape. At Stagecoach Somerset West, part of an international group of over 600 schools around the world, they teach the skills of singing, dance, and drama, to develop confidence in young people. Melanie is an experienced panel member for Agri’s Got Talent, and herself has a background in performance, singing, and dance. She graduated from the University of Cape Town, and has worked as a teacher, lecturer, and publishing professional. She has lived in America and London, before returning to her home town in the Western Cape.