Rydal Jeftha is a man who believes the real strength of South Africa’s wine industry lies in its people. In this article about the South African Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB), Jeftha reveals why investing in mentorship and skills transfer is more important than ever before.
After 44 years of working in agriculture, half of which have been dedicated to the wine industry, Rydal Jeftha, managing director of Koopmanskloof Wines, understands why skills and knowledge transfer is important, especially in South Africa’s wine industry.
“South Africa’s wine industry is as good as its people. People development skills and knowledge transfer are key to success,” he says in an interview with Food For Mzansi.
Which is why Koopmanskloof Wines is fully embracing the vision and mission of The South African Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB), an organisation on a mission to advance the skills and knowledge of professionals in the wine industry.
They focus specifically on the fields of viticulture, winemaking, wine tourism, and logistics and distribution.
“The wine industry is a very competitive environment. Competition is fierce, and innovation combined with developing special skills that set you apart from the rest can produce unique selling points,” Jeftha shares.
Becoming the mentor he never had
Jeftha entered the wine industry at a time when value-adding was crucial and the value chain had a very different structure. With little guidance and no mentors, he had to navigate the challenges largely on his own.
That experience, he says, taught him a powerful lesson about the role of mentorship in navigating the unknown.
“It made me realise how important it is to guide others. To be that person I didn’t have,” he says.
“Since then, I’ve played a mentorship role and tried to be a role model to many, even if I had to create my own opportunities along the way.”
One of his most personal and memorable mentorship moments came not from the office but at home.
“My daughter came to me when she was in grade 10 and told me she wanted to become a winemaker. I actually tried to discourage her. I knew how tough it had been for me, and I wanted to protect her from that.”
Today, Jeftha’s daughter is living her dream. A BSc graduate from Stellenbosch University, she has harvested grapes in the Napa Valley, Portland, and Germany, gaining invaluable international experience. She now works at Durbanville Hills, proudly building her own legacy.
Beyond family, Jeftha has also nurtured many other careers. For him, leadership is about far more than running a successful business. It’s about creating opportunities and unlocking potential.,
“Our job is to nurture, develop, and shape skills into a value-adding force for the industry,” he shares.
Building an industry, not just a brand
Situated in the Bottelary Hills of Stellenbosch, Koopmanskloof is a 420-hectare strong vineyard with a 4 000-tonne cellar. The business operates across the full spectrum of the wine value chain.
Jeftha is hands-on when it comes to expanding the business footprint. “I handle all the new local and international business development and marketing. So what’s happening on Koopmanskloof is almost like a small wine industry because we cover every aspect of the value chain.”
However, Koopmanskloof’s ambitions extend beyond wine. The estate also boasts a 70-hectare private nature reserve with hiking and mountain biking trails, attracting nature lovers and eco-tourists. Plans are currently underway to open a tasting room to enhance their tourism offering.
“That will bring tourists into our spectrum as well. And this is where the SAWIPB can play a facilitating role,” Jeftha says. “We want to ensure we can recruit the best available talent and build career paths in our teams.”
For Jeftha, it’s not just about hiring people, but about shaping the future of the industry. “Our job is to nurture, develop, and shape those skills into a value-adding force for the industry.”
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Careers beyond the cellar
As the South African wine industry grapples with a myriad of challenges, Jeftha believes the future of the industry hinges on effective skills and knowledge transfer.
He believes that the next generation of wine professionals must be equipped with more than just technical winemaking skills.
“One thing people must realise is that there are not as many cellars and wine farms available to employ all the winemakers and viticulturists coming through the system from colleges and universities.
“If you have a hundred winemakers coming through the system, but no new infrastructure to support them, it becomes a challenge. This is where SAWIPB can play a critical role in helping young professionals identify realistic, long-term career paths in the industry,” he says.
Jeftha sees a promising future for those willing to look beyond the cellar and vineyard. In particular, he highlights the growing importance of compliance and quality control, especially as sustainability and ethical standards become central to global trade.
Another area that has captured his attention is regenerative farming, which involves integrating animals into vineyards to reduce chemical use and restore ecological balance.
“This isn’t business as usual anymore. The whole world is moving away from excessive chemical use, and practices like these are part of the solution. However, they’re also complex and require research to understand if they’re viable for your specific operation.”
His advice for aspiring wine professionals is to focus on what they are good at.
“But just remember, sometimes the road to the top is not vertical. Sometimes you need to make horizontal moves, but keep your eyes set on the goal, because ultimately that’s what’s going to differentiate you from the competition.”
* SAWIPB recently launched a mini-documentary series. Watch This Is SAWIPB here, and watch We Are Wine here.
* You can also become a member of SAWIPB and be part of a movement committed to professionalism, sustainability, and opportunity in South Africa’s wine sector.
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