The national minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development, Thoko Didiza, has welcomed the opening of Klein Goederust, the first 100% black-owned wine farm in Franschhoek. The farm was solely acquired from the savings over many years by the son of a farmworker.
The 116-year-old Klein Goederust is a 10-hectare property of which Paul Siguqa is the owner and CEO.
Siguqa acquired the farm in 2019 in a dilapidated state and in the last three years he has been focusing on land and soil analysis, correction and planting of new vines with some assistance from government. He also renovated historic buildings on the farm.
“The opening of a wine tasting room and restaurant at Klein Goederust tomorrow (3 December 2021) is testimony to government efforts of ensuring equitable access and participation of black people in the wine value chain and the wine industry,” said Didiza.
“I want to change the narrative that children of farm labourers are condemned to a life of working on white-owned farms and can never really own part of this industry.”
Paul Siguqa, Klein Goederust owner and CEO
The minister also emphasised that the opening of Klein Goederust will contribute positively to the wine and tourism industry of Franschhoek and the province of the Western Cape.
Meanwhile it is reported that neighbouring farms and Franschhoek Tourism have welcomed the opening of Klein Goederust warmly and have shown support. Furthermore, the owners of the neighbouring La Motte Wines have offered to mentor Siguqa.
The Klein Goederust wine tasting room and restaurant officially opens its doors today (3 December 2021).
Strengthening trade relationships with the UK
Western Cape minister of agriculture Ivan Meyer has confirmed that trade relations between the province and the UK remains positive.
During a webinar on Wednesday (1 December 2021), hosted by the South African Chamber of Commerce UK Cape chapter, and Meyer, the minister said that the province was a net exporter of agricultural products to the UK.
“Some Western Cape imports from the UK include whiskey worth R355 million, flour meal and pellets worth R83 million, chocolate, and other preparations containing cocoa of R39 million,” Meyer pointed out.
Post-Brexit opportunities for the Western Cape exports to the UK are essential since this market accounts for over R9 million of the province’s agricultural and agri-processing products.
Under the new deal called the Southern Africa Customs Union Nations (SACUM)-UK-Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), it is expected that the break-away of the UK from the European Union (EU) will not disrupt trade between our respective regions, Meyer said.
According to him export-led growth and innovation is their primary policy drive.
“This will require a drive towards evidence-based investment in key value chains.
Our greatest resource is our youth, the use of smart technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Meyer.
They are actively investing in innovation, artificial intelligence, drone technology and digital applications to improve agricultural production in the Western Cape, added Meyer.
During the briefing, Meyer also expressed concern over the red-listing of South Africa by the UK and the impact that this will have on our provincial economy.
“We are calling for the UK to remove South Africa from its travel red list so that we can save jobs in our province.”
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