Tuesday, 2 February, 2016
VinPro Foundation
The informal gathering in Paarl included a tasting of the students’ own wines. “This was a proud moment for all!” said Sharon February, chairperson of the VinPro Foundation.
A total of six students were afforded bursaries from the VinPro Foundation to further their studies in the wine industry.
Banele Vakele and Khunjulwa Zililo completed the B Agric Cellar Technology degree at Elsenburg and Louise Clausen obtained her National Diploma in Agriculture – Viticulture and Oenology at CPUT. The remaining three students who are currently taking on the last stretch of their studies in BSc Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University are Micayla Fivaz, Maryke Botha and Johannes Opperman.
“The purpose of the graduation function was to build relationships with the students as future role players in the wine industry,” said Unathi Mantshongo, VinPro’s transformation and development officer. “We are constantly looking for new ideas from young people on how to attract the youth in the agricultural sector and this served as a good starting point.”
Bursary opportunities are currently available to deserving candidates studying in viticulture and oenology. Contact Unathi on 021 276 0455 or unathi@vinpro.co.za for more information.
The VinPro Foundation is a non-profit organisation established by the South African wine industry organisation VinPro in 2013, which focuses on three critical development areas in the industry, namely training, ethical trade and socio-economic upliftment.