WSET Diploma Graduates L-R: Tendai Vincent Matsieng, Morné Els, Garrith Holloway, Jack Davis, Lotta Gabrielides, De Waal Gerstner, Charlene Waite, Joshua Von Blommestein
The International Wine Education Centre (IWEC), Africa’s leading provider of the internationally-recognised Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) wine courses is celebrating with 8 students who have completed their WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines qualification this year. The graduation ceremony took place on 22nd October at The Vine Bistro, Glenelly Estate in Stellenbosch.
The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines is the flagship qualification for WSET and is widely considered to be the entry requirement for the world’s toughest wine exams – the Master of Wine. This year’s graduates have studied modules covering viticulture and vinification, fortified wines, sparkling wines and still wines of the world, all with a strong business focus to better prepare graduates for leading roles within the wine industry. Students must complete all exams and assignments before being awarded their Diploma with global pass rates being notoriously low.
Owner of the IWEC, Cathy Marston DipWSET, says “This year’s intake of Diploma graduates have done incredibly well with most of them passing every module first time – a distinct rarity in the world of WSET Diploma! I’m especially proud of De Waal Gerstner and Garrith Holloway, who excelled in every areato become our joint highest achievers this year.” Graduates were welcomed into the Diploma Alumni family by Richard Kershaw DipWSET, Master of Wine, before awards and accolades were given out for individual unit successes.
Cathy herself has also had a successful year, being named both WSET Outstanding Diploma Alumni 2026 as well as winning the WSET Awards of Excellence Social Impact award for her work in improving access to wine education and increasing diversity and inclusion in the South African wine industry. In recognition of these awards she was presented with a magnum of Graham Beck Cuvée Clive by Andrew Shelly DipWSET, organizer of the African chapter of WSET Diploma Alumni.
This year’s batch of graduates include marketing managers, sommeliers, restaurateurs and winemakers all of whom will be taking their newfound knowledge and expertise with them into their future careers. The confidence gained from this substantial achievement makes a Diploma graduate feel at home with industry leaders and experts wherever they are around the world, helping them forge links and make connections and ultimately promoting the cause of South Africa and South African wines.
The 2026 WSET Diploma Graduation Ceremony is presented by WCellar and would not be possible without their generous support. WCellar has further invested in WSET wine education for many of their staff as they roll out their exciting, new stand-alone liquor stores with a full offering of wine, spirits and beer.In addition to WCellar, prizes and wines for the graduation ceremony were donated by leading import partners Brice & Burnett, Great Domaines, LAPD,Premier Cru Wines, Radford Dale, Riedel and Reciprocal Wine Company – all of whom recognise the importance of WSET in both a local and global context.
The WSET Diploma 2026 intake is as follows:
Full list of 2026 WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines Graduates via the IWEC
- Charlene Waite
- De Waal Gerstner
- Garrith Holloway
- Jack Davis
- Joshua Van Blommestein
- Lotta Gabrielides
- Morné Els
- Tendai Vincent Matsieng
About WSET
The Wine and Spirit Education Trust is the world’s leading provider of wine and spirits qualifications and is available in 15 different languages and in 78 countries around the globe. More than 142,000 students sat a WSET exam over the last 12 months alone.
The IWEC is the largest provider of WSET courses in Africa and the Middle East and teaches all levels of wine, spirits, beer and sake courses, both in-person and online. The next intake of the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines will take place in April 2027 and anyone interested in this prestigious and rewarding course is urged to contact the IWEC as soon as possible.
For more information please contact Cathy Marston on cathy@thewinecentre.co.za 072 390 9166.