Nedbank has invested more than R1,3 million over the past six years to transform the wine industry and has almost trebled its annual contribution for 2012 to enable more aspirant winemakers to join the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme.
The bank has been a keen supporter of the Guild for almost two decades.
Nedbank’s R684 000 investment to the Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust this year will boost the Guild’s Protégé Programme which currently supports six young qualified winemakers completing their 3-year internships under the mentorship of some of the country’s finest winemakers.
“To create a flourishing wine industry, we need a corporate investment to make things happen. And through the support of the Nedbank Foundation we are able to implement our Protégé Programme by giving these winemakers the ability to one day plough back their knowledge and expertise and thereby help to create a sustainable wine industry,” says Louis Strydom, Chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
The Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme, a first for the wine industry, was launched in 2006 with the goal of bringing about transformation by cultivating, nurturing and empowering promising individuals to become winemakers of excellence.
“Education and skills development are part of our Corporate Social Responsibility focus areas. Our involvement in this project is inspired by the realisation that education and skills development play a key role in growing the economy. We are pleased to see how the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme continues to make things happen,” said Kone Gugushe, Nedbank’s Divisional Executive: Corporate Social Responsibility.
The mentorship programme gives Viticulture and Oenology graduates at the University of Stellenbosch and Elsenburg Agricultural College the opportunity to work alongside and learn from Guild members.
To date eight Protégés have participated in the programme, including Howard Booysen and Praisy Dlamini who have both graduated from the programme.
In addition to the generous donation from the Nedbank Foundation, the members of the Guild, also raise funds through various silent and charity auctions at Guild events throughout the year.
For more information on the Guild, contact Tel: 021-852 0408 or send an email to info@capewinemakersguild.com
Students interested in applying for the Protégé Programme can visit the Guild’s website at Cape Winemakers Guild.
