{"id":48272,"date":"2022-09-29T09:42:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T07:42:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T16:37:38","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T14:37:38","slug":"champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/","title":{"rendered":"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned"},"content":{"rendered":"

After much deliberation by the judges and hard work put in by both participants, Liberty Mutsvanga has been crowned as this year\u2019s pruning champion, while Regan Bantom is the champion of the picking contest at the Felco\u2019s annual citrus pruning and picking competition, held in Patensie on September 20.<\/p>\n

According to Louis Liebenberg, Eastern Cape Felco representative, the pruning competition, which is the second citrus pruning competition in South Africa, was first held in Patensie in 2019. <\/p>\n

After a two-year halt to the competition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year Felco was finally able to host the competition again for farm workers in Gamtoos Valley, in Patensie.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was important for us to host this event to let the citrus agriculture workers know how important they are in the citrus circle and to give them recognition for what they do for us,\u201d said Liebenberg.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Champions<\/p>\n
From left are, Orbet Madhemeti (third in picking competition), Sibongile Mupofu (second in picking competition) and Regan Bantom (winner of picking competition). <\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Pruning process<\/strong><\/p>\n

As part of the pruning competition criteria, participants were required to ensure that the 10 trees they had to prune had sufficient light entering the trees by cutting the tree canopy at the top and at the sides. <\/p>\n

In addition, they had to adhere to a specific tree shape and size, and they were meant to remove unwanted growth such as deadwood and damaged, broken and infected branches among other things.<\/p>\n

Lastly, they were required to promote stem rejuvenation through the pruning process.<\/p>\n

There were at least 16 pruners at this year\u2019s event, but it was Mutsvanga\u2019s outstanding pruning skills that put him in the lead for the R5 000 worth of prizes.<\/p>\n

Mutsvanga, who prunes trees at New Heights , has been pruning trees since 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like pruning trees because I am able to help the trees get the sunlight they need and produce good quality fruits,\u201d said Mutsvanga.<\/p>\n

He said since he had at least five years\u2019 experience as a tree pruner, he had a lot of confidence during the pruning competition. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhile I was pruning the trees, I believed that I was going to win because I have been in this field for a long time,\u201d said Mutsvanga.<\/p>\n

When he was announced as the winner of the competition, he said he felt happy and was proud of the work he had done. <\/p>\n

The runner-up in the pruning competition was Prince Gowera and Sabelo Ndzonono was in third place.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Champions<\/p>\n
From left are, Lelanie de Bruin (Die Shop), Sabelo Ndzonono (third in pruning competition), Prince Gowera (second in pruning competition), Liberty Mutsvanga (winner of pruning competition) and Louis Liebenberg (Eastern Cape Felco representative). <\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Picking process<\/strong><\/p>\n

As part of the picking competition, the participants were evaluated according to the long stems on the fruit, picking injuries to the fruit, handling of the fruits, personal hygiene, the volume and whether they followed picking instructions.<\/p>\n

At least 36 pickers battled it out at the inaugural picking competition, but it was Bantom who came out victorious and was awarded R4 500 worth in prizes.<\/p>\n

Bantom who has been picking citrus fruits for 10 years is currently employed at Nuwe Lande.<\/p>\n

He said he enjoyed his job and working alongside his colleagues. <\/p>\n

Bantom said he entered the competition since he had many years of experience picking fruit, but he was not entirely certain that he was going to win.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time I have entered a fruit picking competition, but I tried my best to do what I could and I was very happy when I heard that I had won,\u201d said Bantom.<\/p>\n

Sibongile Mupofu was the runner-up in the picking competition, while Orbet Madhemeti was third.<\/p>\n

As part of their eventful day, Felco also hosted a wood sawing competition.<\/p>\n

In first place in the men\u2019s category was Gerik Rautenbach and Leandadno Klaassen in second place while in the women\u2019s category, Heather Blake was first and Yolande Senekal in second.<\/p>\n

The sponsors for the event included, Nexus, Neo Cellphone Shop, Bayer, Hankey Citrus Packers, Donkin Financial Services, Moore, Spar Hankey, Crossway Farm Village, Grown4U, Allcut Power Products, Pabala Private Nature Reserve, Rikus Landboudienste, Megadyne, Terra Aqua Agencies, Kaap Agri, The Wright Cut, Vansan Water Technologies, Wagondrift Packing, Ripple Hill Hotel, Foodzone, Cosmocel, UPL, MBFi, Spar Patensie, Agri Flow, Kubota, Gebore, Koppert, Manzana Nules, River Bioscience, The Co-Op, Felco, Werkco Signs, Gamtoos Irrigation Board, Rolfes Agri, S-Team Engineering, Ooskaap Trekkers and Local is Lekker Pub and Restaurant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After much deliberation by the judges and hard work put in by both participants, Liberty Mutsvanga has been crowned as this year\u2019s pruning champion, while Regan Bantom is the champion of the picking contest at the Felco\u2019s annual citrus pruning and pi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":48278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"dbcef68e-616c-42d0-9640-b3f063e5c1e4","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Razaan Plaatjies","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-48272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nChampions of pruning and picking competition crowned | Kouga Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"After much deliberation by the judges and hard work put in by both participants, Liberty Mutsvanga has been crowned as this year\u2019s pruning champion, while Regan Bantom is the champion of the picking contest at the Felco\u2019s annual citrus pruning and pi\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kouga Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-29T07:42:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-13T14:37:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1620\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Razaan Plaatjies\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kouga Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa\"},\"headline\":\"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-29T07:42:11+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-13T14:37:38+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":748,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2022\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/\",\"name\":\"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned | Kouga Express\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-29T07:42:11+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-13T14:37:38+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg\",\"width\":1620,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"From left are, Sabelo Ndzonono (third in pruning competition), Prince Gowera (second in pruning competition) and Liberty Mutsvanga (winner of pruning competition). Photos: Razaan Plaatjies\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Kouga Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PEExpress1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\"],\"description\":\"Kouga Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kouga area since 2004. Established with the goal of keeping the Kouga and Koukamma communities informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 20,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door every week. Kouga Express\u2019 distribution area includes Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St. Francis Bay, Cape St. Francis, Aston Bay, Patensie, Hankey, Storms River, Tsitsikamma, Misgund, Joubertina, Krakeelrivier, Louterwater, Kareedouw, and Uniondale.\",\"email\":\"kougaexpress@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"042-992 5650\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Kouga Express\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/author\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned | Kouga Express","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned","og_description":"After much deliberation by the judges and hard work put in by both participants, Liberty Mutsvanga has been crowned as this year\u2019s pruning champion, while Regan Bantom is the champion of the picking contest at the Felco\u2019s annual citrus pruning and pi","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/","og_site_name":"Kouga Express","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","article_published_time":"2022-09-29T07:42:11+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-13T14:37:38+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1620,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Razaan Plaatjies","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kouga Express","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/"},"author":{"name":"Kouga Express","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa"},"headline":"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned","datePublished":"2022-09-29T07:42:11+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-13T14:37:38+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/"},"wordCount":748,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2022","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/","name":"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned | Kouga Express","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg","datePublished":"2022-09-29T07:42:11+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-13T14:37:38+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg","width":1620,"height":1080,"caption":"From left are, Sabelo Ndzonono (third in pruning competition), Prince Gowera (second in pruning competition) and Liberty Mutsvanga (winner of pruning competition). Photos: Razaan Plaatjies"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/champions-of-pruning-and-picking-competition-crowned-20220928\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Champions of pruning and picking competition crowned"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/","name":"Kouga Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization","name":"Kouga Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Kouga Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/"],"description":"Kouga Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kouga area since 2004. Established with the goal of keeping the Kouga and Koukamma communities informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 20,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door every week. Kouga Express\u2019 distribution area includes Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St. Francis Bay, Cape St. Francis, Aston Bay, Patensie, Hankey, Storms River, Tsitsikamma, Misgund, Joubertina, Krakeelrivier, Louterwater, Kareedouw, and Uniondale.","email":"kougaexpress@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"042-992 5650","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa","name":"Kouga Express","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Kouga Express"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/author\/kougaexpress\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f8e601f67b404583ae897870be1118ed.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46545,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/annual-pruning-and-picking-competition-to-be-hosted-in-patensie-20230816\/","url_meta":{"origin":48272,"position":0},"title":"Annual pruning and picking competition to be hosted in Patensie","author":"Kouga Express","date":"17 August 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"To recognise all pruners and pickers in the Gamtoos Valley, Felco will host their highly-anticipated annual citrus pruning and picking competition on August 23 and 24 at the NexusAG 49 (Pty) LTD \u2013 Patensie Depot.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/9f59ef50ee854ea19b6e0f09b60e2f94.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/9f59ef50ee854ea19b6e0f09b60e2f94.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/9f59ef50ee854ea19b6e0f09b60e2f94.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/9f59ef50ee854ea19b6e0f09b60e2f94.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":268160,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/farm-childminder-from-patensie-wins-agris-got-talent-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":48272,"position":1},"title":"Farm childminder from Patensie wins Agri’s Got Talent 2025","author":"Razaan Plaatjies","date":"14 October 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Jenedine Jantjies, a childminder from Patensie, wins Agri's Got Talent 2025 in moving display of raw talent and determination.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Jenedine Jantjies with a trophy and certificate.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JenedineJantjies4_39390.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JenedineJantjies4_39390.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JenedineJantjies4_39390.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JenedineJantjies4_39390.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JenedineJantjies4_39390.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":56260,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/cast-your-vote-for-patensie-20190306-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":48272,"position":2},"title":"Cast your vote for Patensie","author":"Kouga Express","date":"7 March 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A SECOND Kouga town is in the running for the coveted Kw\u00eala Town of the Year title.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a98c9c8935e145f6a0b402189bb6e108.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a98c9c8935e145f6a0b402189bb6e108.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a98c9c8935e145f6a0b402189bb6e108.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a98c9c8935e145f6a0b402189bb6e108.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54400,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/werkers-laat-snoeiskere-klap-20190918-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":48272,"position":3},"title":"Werkers laat snoeisk\u00eare klap","author":"Kouga Express","date":"19 September 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"TIENTALLE boordwerkers op plaaslike si-trusplase wys eersdaags hul slag met die snoeisk\u00ear tydens die Felco Boordsnoei-kompetisie in Patensie \u2013 \u2019n eerste vir die Gamtoosvallei.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/04e2b289a35e43ad8576a4444c251098.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/04e2b289a35e43ad8576a4444c251098.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/04e2b289a35e43ad8576a4444c251098.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/04e2b289a35e43ad8576a4444c251098.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47723,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/sponsored-two-fully-equipped-facilities-for-citrus-farmers-on-auction-20230130\/","url_meta":{"origin":48272,"position":4},"title":"SPONSORED | Citrus packing facility and citrus farm on tender","author":"Kouga Express","date":"31 January 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The Hankey\/Patensie area is world-renowned for its citrus farms. It is ideal for a citrus farmer to pack his products in his own facility, or for that matter an exporter agent on behalf of clients, or a group of farmers to own their own warehouse.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f3d5320970a64282bf1a5a246d5d4b32.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f3d5320970a64282bf1a5a246d5d4b32.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f3d5320970a64282bf1a5a246d5d4b32.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f3d5320970a64282bf1a5a246d5d4b32.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55237,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/united-barbarians-to-host-actors-20190522-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":48272,"position":5},"title":"United Barbarians to host actors","author":"Kouga Express","date":"23 May 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"THE United Barbarians Rugby Football Club (RFC) is set to host a star-studded day in Patensie on Saturday, June 1, in a bid to raise much-needed funds for the club.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Kouga Express","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48272\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48272"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=48272"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=48272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}