Mlondolozi "Frank" Mketo (former PYDA intern, now shop assistant), Simamkele "Ceejay" Sikisi (on work placement), and Zikhona Sihle Mlotywa (intern).
wine.co.za has been a proud supporter and media partner of the Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA) since 2015 and we solidified our relationship with the academy even further in 2017 by launching a 12-month paid internship program for PYDA graduates at wine.co.za.
It is really difficult to find work as a young person with relatively little experience, and our program aims to provide a workspace where youngsters can have a taste of a number of aspects of work. Work is not just about hard skills, but also the softer issues around communication, punctuality, responsibility, ethics, values, and more.
We are a small team, so it takes time to mentor and assist and provide a space that is meaningful to both parties, and we are proud to have done this successfully for the past 6 years.
Judy Brower, co-founder of wine.co.za, has a great passion for people and their personal development:
"I attend many events in the wine industry and it was clear to me from the lack of diversity in the attendees that we needed to do something. We are a small company of 12 people, and so taking on an intern and taking the time to mentor is onerous, but if we are to continue living in South Africa, we have to do things differently. I decided then to start our 12-month internship program for PYDA graduates, and for the last six years, we have had five young dynamic people come through our doors and spend time with us learning a lot about life."
"Many of the softer issues are often the most important and because we place a lot of value on kindness, empathy, clear communication, family, and professionalism, these are intrinsically what we impart to these wonderful young people as well as the actual hard skills required to work at wine.co.za in our various teams (content, shop, and social media). One of the best skills they learn, which terrifies every millennial, is answering the phone. We are proud to say that every single one of them now answers calls quicker than any of us!"
She continues: "One of the most inspiring events of the year is the PYDA graduation ceremony, usually held in October annually. I recommend that everyone in the industry attends this to be inspired by the youth, and also to see if you can take on some of these talented and energetic youngsters to give them an opportunity to work in the wine industry."
The PYDA students who have joined us over the years are: Yoliswa Masekwana, Jamie-Lee Appolis, Leroy Matthee, Mlondolozi "Frank" Mketo, Zikhona Sihle Mlotywa, and Simamkele "Ceejay" Sikisi (who is currently completing his 6-week work placement).
Skipping the internship was the top student for 2017, Yoliswa Masekwana was permanently appointed as content editor in 2018 and left us in 2021 to join the Aslina Wines team.
Our first intern, Jamie-Lee Appolis (November 2018 to October 2019), says: "The internship at wine.co.za really helped me during lockdown. Thanks to the office skills I built at wine.co.za, I worked as an administrative clerk at two schools for two years. It really impacted me in a positive way and I'm still picking the fruit of that labour today, as I am now working at Babylonstoren as a tasting room assistant."
Frank did his internship from November 2021 to October 2022. Thereafter, he was permanently appointed as our shop and CellarDirect assistant and he is still with us today. His gentle nature, attention to detail, and willingness to help and learn make him a great asset to the team.
Frank comments: "My time at wine.co.za has been the biggest highlight of my life thus far. I have been exposed to so many things and have learned a lot more about the SA wine industry. I feel that I have grown in my profession and as a person."
At the end of 2022, Zikhona joined us as an intern. She comments: "Throughout my internship, the wine.co.za team was helpful, encouraging, and inspiring. I am grateful for the technical and professional skills I've learned from the wine.co.za team. This has been a valuable learning experience. Thank you for all your support and all of the opportunities you have given me."
The PYDA team deeply values their relationship with wine.co.za. "We are incredibly grateful for the partnership we have with wine.co.za," says Emmalene Ravell, programme manager at PYDA.
"Their unwavering commitment to our organisation and their dedication to hosting one intern every year has been instrumental in providing invaluable development opportunities for our graduates. The internship experience at wine.co.za has proven to be a catalyst for the growth and confidence of our students as they enter the workforce. We have witnessed numerous success stories where graduates have thrived in the industry after completing their internship at wine.co.za. Their support and the value they bring to PYDA cannot be overstated."
We are about to take on our next intern and applications are now open for this year's PYDA graduates. Applications close on Saturday 30 September, and applicants will be notified by Wednesday 4 October of the next steps. We will announce the successful candidate by 20 October 2023.
To apply for the internship, click HERE.