Jasmine Bones, a sapling worker from Witzenberg Properties, Ceres, dreamed of touching people’s lives and hearts with music. At the Agri’s Got Talent grand finale, held at Goudini, she managed to achieve just that when she became the ninth winner of this unique singing competition.

Bones, who is responsible for the orchard architecture and pruning at Dennekruin Farm where she lives, gave the performance of her life with River Deep Mountain High and It’s all coming back to me now. She said that her love for music comes from her grandmother, who when she was a little girl, often picked her up and while carrying her, walked around the farm, singing, and playing her guitar. “My whole family loves music, we are a family of musicians and singers.”

Bones said that all music touches the soul; and although she loves ballades, her heart belongs to gospel.

Raymond Swartz, Haygrove Growing Systems, Grabouw, came second. The third place went to Gerthroline Philander, Duo Fruit, Nonna, Worcester. Both Swartz and Philander have a history with Agri’s Got Talent. Last year’s winner, Faith Nogemane, is Swartz’s sister and Philander’s sister, Magdaleen, was the AGT runner-up in 2019. Agri Western Cape sponsored the prize money won by the Top 3.

Drovigas Goshai, Marlenique Packhouse, Simondium, won the Afrikaanse Taalraad’s special award for the best singer in an indigenous language. He had the crowd dancing in the aisles with his rendition of Lemoene.

The finals on 21 October was the first live show since 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 finals being broadcasted digitally. Over the past two years, the South African agriculture industry remained resilient during a time of deep uncertainty. Agri’s Got Talent celebrates agriculture as a sector as well as our agricultural workers ― who stayed strong during this challenging time.