Hortgro Honours Lucentlands Media With 2026 Izithelo Award for Deciduous Fruit Journalism

Hortgro has named Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie of Lucentlands Media as winners of the 2026 Izithelo Media Award, the deciduous fruit industry's annual journalism accolade recognising sustained, constructive engagement between the media and the pome and stone fruit sector.

Lucentlands, founded in 2019, was recognised specifically for its podcast work and its impact on South Africa's pome and stone fruit industry. According to Hortgro's award motivation, the outlet has given growers, researchers, exporters and industry leaders an accessible platform to discuss the deciduous fruit value chain, covering topics including innovation, sustainability, market access, logistics, technology and research.

Hortgro said the podcasts have helped translate complex agricultural, economic and technical issues into engaging discussions, supporting broader stakeholder understanding of the industry's importance to South Africa's economy and rural communities. Brodie previously won the Izithelo award individually in 2007.