Black Empowerment

Although wine making is one of South Africa's best established industries, it is also seen as a bastion of white influence and affluence. Less than 1% of wine producing companies are owned by black businessmen.

As part of the government's overall AgriBEE programme, the South African Wine & Brandy Corporation and the South African Wine Industry Trust are driving forward a Charter and scorecard to ensure that over the next decade a more representative ownership structure emerges. In summary BEE means ownership, influence and management in black hands.

Through subsidies, grants and access to finance, a variety of projects have been undertaken. Some by large businesses such as Distell, others by lone entrepreneurs such as Mzokhana Mvemve who is making wine under his Sagila label. Entrepreneurs like Mzo are role-models, showing what can be done with education, guts and determination. They will play an increasingly important role in the future and deserve our encouragement.