The Breedekloof Bursary Fund is available to four previously disadvantaged South African students who want to pursue a career in winemaking or wine-tourism.
The project was initiated by Jurgens Schoeman, CEO of Breedekloof Wine and Tourism. Its goal is to increase access to the winemaking and wine-tourism field of study for previously disadvantaged students, and to empower black students to become winemakers.
The fund offers the successful applicants the chance to study a 4-year BSC Winemaking Degree at Stellenbosch University. Through the financial contribution of Breedekloof Wine and Tourism, the Western Cape Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism, the Cape Winelands District Municipality, and the University of Stellenbosch, R200 000 will be made available annually to cover the cost of the students' registration and tuition fees, books, equipment, accommodation and meals at the university.
The Breedekloof Bursary Fund also secures the beneficiaries, a minimum of four years full-time employment as a winemaker or assistant winemaker at one of four wineries in the Breedekloof region after graduating.
"Breedekloof Wine and Tourism and the wineries in the Breedekloof area are committed to playing a meaningful role in the development and transformation of the wine industry in South Africa," said Jurgens Schoeman. "They will monitor the progress of the students at Stellenbosch with much interest and look forward to welcoming them into the Breedekloof community once they graduate."
Breedekloof Wine and Tourism (BWT) is a section 21 company established in 2003 to develop and empower the people living in the newly named Breedekloof Region (Rawsonville, Slanghoek, Breede River and Goudini areas). It aims to raise the profile of the Breedekloof area and to market the region as a tourism, business and wine region.
The company represents the wineries Aufwaertz, Badsberg, Bergsig, Botha, Cape Vineyards, Daschbosch, Deetlefs, Du Preez, Du Toitskloof, Goudini, Groot Eiland, Jason's Hill, Kirabo, Lateganskop, Merwida, Opstal, Romansrivier, Slanghoek and Waboomsrivier. It also represents tourism roleplayers such as guesthouses and tour operators, and 17 businesses operating in the region.
In 2003 BWT commissioned the University of Stellenbosch to develop a community profile for the region. This was used to identify gaps and to prioritize actions for BEE and human resource development in the region. One of the items identified was the need to create a funding scheme for previously disadvantaged people in the area in order for them to gain access to the wine industry.
Jurgens Schoeman took up this challenge and set about forging partnerships between Breedekloof Wine and Tourism, the Western Cape government, the local municipality and the University of Stellenbosch in order to raise the funds required.
The first successful candidates to benefit from the Breedekloof Bursary Fund will start their studies at Stellenbosch University in 2005.
The deadline for applications for the Breedekloof Bursury Fund is October 31. A selection committee will interview applicants who meet the criteria for the bursary fund. This committee will be made up of representatives from the Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism, the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Breedekloof Wine and Tourism, the University of Stellenbosch, and the four wineries that will provide employment for the candidates after graduation.
ISSUED BY SPLASH PR & MEDIA CONSULTANTS
ON BEHALF OF BREEDEKLOOF TOURISM
FOR FURTHER INFO KERRY SEYMOUR on (021) 790 9911,
082 926 4711 or kerry@splashpr.co.za
FOR COMMENT JURGENS SCHOEMAN on (023) 349 1791,
or jurgens@breedekloof.com