It is an exciting blend of youth and experience, with the two new board members joining for their first term and three returning to the board. A huge vote of thanks to the efforts of the three board members that are stepping down: Barry Scholfield (Serving five years, two of which as chairman), Joakim Hansi Blackadder (Serving six years), and Dickson Matola (Serving two years), who have sacrificed an immense amount of time and energy for SASA's cause.
The new executive committee are all well-known and certified sommeliers. They have cut their teeth on restaurant floors pulling cork after cork; they have been there done that. Eager to continue the mandate of
South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) to promote the craft of a sommelier.
The new executive committee consists of re-elected members Spencer Fondaumiere, one of only two ASI sommelier diploma graduates in the country. Now in his third term as a board member after serving two years as vice-chairman. Wayve Kolevsohn, SASA Level 2 certified sommelier and Court of Master Sommeliers certified, who previously headed up the events and examinations. And Esme Groenewald, SASA Level 2 certified sommelier, started as SASA admin before being elected to the board and served as general secretary for the previous term.
The two new members joining are Laurie Cooper, SASA Level 2 certified sommelier, master of wine student, and reigning best young sommelier of South Africa, and Shane Mumba, SASA level 1 junior sommelier and best young sommelier semi-finalist.
The executive roles for the new term
- Spencer Fondaumiere - Chairperson
- Esmé Groenewald - Vice-chairperson and general secretary
- Laurie Cooper - Treasurer
- Wayve Kolevsohn and Shane Mumba - Events and Education
From the new chairman
"I am really excited to be part of this new team. There is much to do in a very challenging environment for the industry. We collectively have a massive amount of combined experience, and we have all stepped up to serve on this board because of the huge passion we have for the trade. We intend to use that to really go out and make a massive impact in our term. I am looking forward to doing some really amazing things."
Spencer Fondaumiere
SASA Chairman