Agri-Expo has awarded 31-year-old Pamella Dzindikwa, head of production at Puglia Cheese in Somerset West, the second annual Hollard Game Changer Award.
The announcement was made at the South African Dairy Awards, held at Eensgezind in Durbanville last week. The award includes a cash prize of R50 000, sponsored by Hollard.
Now in its 192nd year, the SA Dairy Championships is Africa’s biggest and oldest dairy competition. Hosted by Agri-Expo since 1834, it recognises and rewards excellence in dairy production across the country.
According to Breyton Milford, general manager of Agri-Expo, the Game Changer Award recognises young professionals who are already making a meaningful impact in the dairy industry.
“This award acknowledges their achievements and encourages them to keep pushing boundaries,” says Milford.
From cleaner to industry leader
Dzindikwa has been part of the award-winning Puglia Cheese for nine years. Starting her career as a cleaner, she rose through the ranks to production manager, contributing significantly to the local cheese manaufacturer’s success as a household brand.
Through hard work and dedication, she mastered the art of spun cheeses, including burrata, and played a key role in expanding Puglia’s range to include mature cheddar, montasio, fontina, taleggio, and manchego.
Under her guidance, Puglia has crafted multiple awards at the SA Dairy Awards and the Aurora International Taste Challenge. Her innovation was demonstrated when she single-handedly developed a new cheese, Somerset, named in honour of Puglia’s location.
Beyond production, Dzindikwa is a mentor, dedicating herself to training new cheesemakers and fostering a culture of excellence.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition,” says Dzindikwa. “I’ve had mentors who believed in me, and I hope to pass that on. The dairy industry has changed my life, and I believe it can do the same for others.”
Says Andries Wiese, Hollard’s national business development manager: “Progress and development are essential for any industry. With this award we believe we tap into the energy and skill of these incredibly diverse and talented young individuals and create a sustainable future for the dairy industry.”
The 2025 SA Dairy Championships drew a record 1 110 entries from 77 producers. A panel of 103 judges from 47 companies named 114 products as SA champions and awarded 30 products the Qualité mark – the only official mark of excellence in the industry.
The Product of the Year title was awarded to a mascarpone with fig and pecan nuts, made by RFG Foods in Simondium for Woolworths.
The SA Dairy Championships is supported by platinum partners IMCD South Africa and dsm-firmenich, and others.
For the full results and more information on the awards, visit https://dairychamps.co.za.
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