The South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) welcomes fifteen new junior certified sommeliers. This the largest group to pass the SASA Junior Sommelier exam to date, and we are very proud to share their stories with you.
Please welcome our newest SASA Junior Sommeliers:
1. Alba Mtandwah
Currently: Cellar door ambassador at Groot Constantia, Constantia, Cape Town
Alba started as a cellar hand at High Constantia with no knowledge of wine but that broaden his curiosity about the science behind it. Alba holds a WSET Level 2 certificate and he is also now a SASA-certified Junior Sommelier.
2. Anika de Jong
Currently: Food and beverage manager at the Silo Hotel, Cape Town
Anika was born in Namibia and started her career in Zermatt, Switzerland as a food and beverage intern, after her internship she studied at the Private Hotel School in Stellenbosch. She moved to Abu Dhabi as an intern and left as a restaurant general manager. She decided to move to Cape Town to start the next chapter of her career at the Silo Hotel, where she currently works as the food and beverage manager.
3. Artwell Chatsika
Currently: Wine ambassador at Creation Wines, Hemel en Aarde
Wine certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
4. Danaë Uys
Currently: Junior restaurant manager at Birkenhead House, Hermanus
Danaë Uys studied hospitality business management at IHT Hotel School and graduated Cum Laude. She started as an intern at LA Residence which forms part of The Royal Portfolio. During her time as restaurant manager, she got the opportunity to refine her wine knowledge by first completing WSET 1 and then the SASA Junior Sommelier certification.
5. Dillon Davids
Currently: Wine steward at La Residence
Dillon Davids lives in a very small town called Wemmershoekdam, where he likes to explore and he is a very curious person who loves wines, especially Pinot Noir. He holds the SASA Junior Sommelier certification.
6. Jenean Booysen
Currently: Wine ambassador at Creation Wines, Hemel en Aarde
Wine certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
7. Patience Vimbai Mtandwa
Currently: Tasting room ambassador at Klein Constantia and cellar door ambassador at Steenberg Vineyards
Patience Vimbai Mtandwa's wine certifications include WSET level 2, Cape Wine Academy certificate, and SASA Junior Sommelier. She has a passion for food and wine pairing.
8. Pieter Bekker
Currently: Working in Dubai
Pieter Bekker is a recipient of the Distell Inter Hotel Challenge Scholarship, which he won when working the Taj Cape Town. He holds the SASA Junior Sommelier certification.
9. Ross Channing
Currently: Work for Spirits & Bubbles
Wine certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
After his studies at Stellenbosch University, Ross Channing moved to Hermanus where he was a cellar hand at several wineries in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. He subsequently moved to Johannesburg, his hometown, to pursue a career in wine distribution.
10. Sandile Mnyuka
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
11. Sharrol Mukendi-Klaas
Currently: Sommelier at Culture Wine Bar
Sharrol Mukendi-Klaas was the recipient of the inaugural ASI Gérard Basset Foundation Sommelier Scholarship, delivered by the Sommeliers Academy. Her past wine qualifications include the UCT GSB Business of Wine course and SASA Junior Sommelier certificate.
12. Tapiwa Junior Chirume
Wine certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
13. Theo Jeftas
Currently: Waiter at The Royal Portfolio Royal Malewane Waterside
Wine certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Theo Jeftas started the hospitality industry at the age of 18 years old and ever since. He wants to further his career in hospitality and broaden his wine knowledge.
14 Tinashe Dhafana
Wine certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
15. Zolani Dantile
Wine certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Our next SASA Junior Sommelier exam is to be held later this year in October. For more information please reach out to info@sommeliers.org.za