Date: 02/09/2005
Source: Department of Agriculture
Title: Didiza: Inaugural Soweto Wine Festival


Speech by Ms Thoko Didiza, Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs at the Inaugural Soweto Wine Festival

I find it very interesting that we are gathered in a black township to launch and encourage locals to consume wine. I was taken aback to stories of how black people were said to have been arrested for consuming alcohol, and to some extent not even allowed to buy alcohol except for the traditional sorghum brew.

I am happy that the chairman of the South African Wine Industry Trust (SAWIT) Gavin Pieterse said in his letter addressed to me, that they as SAWIT ,have embarked on a local marketing strategy to introduce and educate particularly black South Africans to the virtues of responsible wine consumption.

Otherwise we don't want to see the birth of alcohol abusers, which is a problem in some parts of our country. And we know what alcohol abuse can do to a society and families.

As we celebrate the 100 years of Soweto's existence we are happy that people like the South African Black Vintners Alliance and SAWIT, are involved in initiatives like this, with a potential to attract more foreign tourists to the township itself.

Soweto has an important legacy, which has had a significant impact in the shaping of the future of South Africa. Not far away lies the Hector Peterson Memorial, the Nelson Mandela Heritage House, the Bishop Tutu house and many other places of importance like Regina Mondi and the recently opened Walter Sisulu Memorial Square in Kliptown.

Through efforts to promote wine consumption within the black community, we also hope that not only consumers but black wine companies will take advantage of new opportunities being created especially with the prospect of more tourists coming down to Soweto.

As we see more black people acquiring land for farming and agricultural purposes we hope to see more black economic empowerment deals being made through initiatives like this one.

There is a marked increase in wine production world wide with an increase of between 6,7 and 12,4% in 2004. In South Africa, for the second consecutive year, a high level of production ranging between 9,0 and 9,4 million hl (hector litre) is expected. This would then tell you that black economic empowerment farms are making a significant contribution towards that.

The Stellar Winery in Namaqualand in the Northern Cape stands out as a classical example. It is by far the first winery in the world to be awarded the coveted international Fair Trade Accreditation. This winery has embarked on simple yet effective techniques of wine production from Fair Wages; Consumer Education; Environmental Education; Financial and Technical Support, to producing wine of boutique quality. The industry need to start at farm level with the work force.

With these perhaps we should establish a Fair Trade Organisation that will look into providing small producers access to finance where banks are reluctant to lend money. I'm aware that initiatives to promote black economic empowerment in the wine industry are taking place. I acknowledge the concerted efforts by Deloitte in facing up to the challenge of working toward the common objectives of sustainable rural development, improved wine production and effective integration of small farmers into global markets.

This is a momentous year for development and together we have a chance of successful black economic empowerment and reducing poverty. I can share with you that the African Union's New Partnership for Africa,