Pointing out from a window overlooking the vineyards, Chanthel Boonzaaier, a wine advisor at Old Road Wine Company in Franschhoek, shares how her place of work holds generations of her family’s history.
“This is where I grew up,” she says. “My grandfather grew up here, my mother and her brothers and sisters grew up here. Me and my cousins grew up here. Now my children are also growing up here, and even my grandchild.”
Boonzaaier has been named one of the top 10 finalists in the Agri’s Got Talent competition, a prestigious platform that gives South African farmworkers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their talents on a national stage and unlock incredible opportunities.
As a child, she watched the vines flower and the grapes form. It was here at Old Road Wine Co. where she first learned the intricacies of winemaking.
Now, working as a wine advisor in the farm’s restaurant, she loves connecting with people and sharing the story of South African wine with visitors from around the world.
“I tell them about South African agriculture, how our wines are produced, and the variety of wine we have here in South Africa. I also tell them about our beautiful land, South Africa,” she says with a smile.
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‘My biggest dream…’
Boonzaaier’s heart belongs not just to the land, but to her family as well. As a mother of four, everything she does is for them. “My children are very important to me. It is for them that I am doing it,” she says.
However, Boonzaaier is more than just a mother and farmworker. She is a singer with big dreams. When she heard that Agri’s Got Talent was running again, she knew it was her time.
“I started following the competition a while back and it interested me because I like singing. I thought to myself, this year is my turn and I’ll try entering. And look at me now, I am part of the top 10.”
Her favourite types of music genres to sing are pop, RnB, and soul. Although she has a lot of favourite singers, Jennifer Hudson is number one.
For Boonzaaier, this competition is more than just about showcasing her talent.
“I look forward to what I am going to learn. They say one is never too old to learn something new. I’m excited about the new people that I am also going to meet.
“My biggest dream is to one day stand on a big stage and be able to perform in front of people. This opportunity that I got from Agri’s Got Talent makes me more excited about that,” shares Boonzaaier.
In October, Boonzaaier will take the stage to perform in front of judges, aiming to win the Agri’s Got Talent 2024 title. You’re invited to come and cheer her on at the big gala final, happening at Dawn Mountains in Simondium on Friday, 11 October 2024. Tickets for the event are available via Computicket. Book your ticket here.
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