THE DEMOCRACY SERIES
FROM WOSA: "ENJOY THE JOURNEY"
To celebrate 20 years
of democracy this April, Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is releasing a series of
short videos that reflect in a personal but very powerful way, the
life-changing experiences of people touched by transformation initiatives in
the wine industry.
Beginning from the
first week in February, a new video will be featured weekly on WOSA's website
for the following six weeks.
From fifth-generation
labourer to co-owner of a major farming venture, from refugee to nurseryman,
from scholarship student to renowned winemaker and role model, from
drug-addled gangster to farrier, each of the intimate stories in WOSA's
The Democracy Series movingly charts a journey of progress.
The subjects talk to
the camera about how far they have come. For some, they have been given a
second chance. For others, they have seized opportunities with both hands.
In one instance, a
woman, who represents the third generation of workers on a farm, becomes the
principal of three day care centres. She recalls the days when women were
forced to take their children into the vineyards with them, regardless of age
or weather.
Now they are given the early learning foundations at properly equipped
schools for a head start in life. In another, a farm worker participates in a
black economic empowerment winemaking venture and is able to buy his own home.
A third recounts how a young mother starting out with an uncertain future is
learning about wine through a youth development academy and already has a job.
Each vignette, running
between two-and-a-half and three minutes, ends with a quotation from the late
Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected president, who came
to power in 1994.
The videos are being
screened at international wine shows during the course of the year and are also
hosted on WOSA's website. A new video will be released on WOSA’s website
at the beginning of each week for the next six weeks.
Says communications manager,
André Morgenthal: "The stories are a microcosm of what change means for
people with a history of historical disadvantage. From potential victim
to victor, each has turned the tables on disempowerment to become a person who
can play their role in the wine industry with dignity and pride.
"The Democracy
Series gives expression at a very intimate, human level to the impact of the
many transformation initiatives occurring throughout the wine industry. These
range from black economic empowerment ventures to bursary and training
programmes, as well as to various eco and social sustainability projects.
"As winemaker
Ntsiki Biyela says, wine is for people to enjoy the journey!"
