Wine industry honours farms and workers
Tuesday, 13 December, 2005
RUDNET
A worker from Graham Beck wine estate in Robertson who contributed significantly to the upliftment of his community as well as three wine farms, were honoured last week (8 December) in Stellenbosch during the third Farm Health Awards.
This is an annual awards ceremony established by the South African wine industry to recognize leaders in the field of rural development.
In the category Farm Worker of the Year Floris Slingers walked off with the laurels, while the wine farms Graham Beck (Robertson), La Motte and Glenwood (Franschhoek) were celebrated in their various categories for pioneering initiatives which improved the quality of living of their workers and members of their communities.
The Farm Health Awards was introduced as a pilot programme in 2003 in the Stellenbosch area by the Rural Development Network, better known as RUDNET, with only 12 initial entries. The Farm Health Awards, which is funded by the South African Wine Industry Trust (SAWIT), attracted 56 entries from 94 farms this year.
According to Lesley Fillis, chief executive of RUDNET, the Farm Health Awards concentrate on two important issues.
“The first focus is on the Farm Worker of the Year Award, which recognizes farm workers for their contributions to agriculture and the economy. At the same time this award is an attempt to establish role models for the farm workers, as the self image of farm workers is not always positive,” said Fillis. “This weak self image often leads to social welfare problems, whereas a positive self image gives rise to a change in lifestyle. This award thus serves as encouragement for farm workers to take responsibility for their own lives.
"Not withstanding the Farm Worker of the Year award, the Farm Health Awards also give recognition to producers who have committed themselves to the empowerment and development of their farm worker communities. Although the title of Farm Health Award refers to health issues, the holistic health of the farm is taken into consideration: is it a healthy farm on which to work or live? Criteria such as healthy labour relations, positive economic development, safe and hygienic infrastructure, sustainable development and social development are also taken into consideration. Participation in this programme is free and all information is regarded as confidential. Producers view the programme as a yardstick for themselves and the criteria aren’t enforced, but merely serve as guidelines. Each farm is unique and evaluated as such,” commented Fillis.
After the pilot programme was launched in Stellenbosch in 2003 the Farm Health Awards were extended to include Paarl, Wellington and Franschhoek in 2004 with 36 entries. During 2005 it was expanded to Bot River, as well as in the areas of Riebeeck Kasteel and Darling. This year 56 entries were received which equates to 94 farms. The information, which is voluntarily supplied to RUDNET, is processed generically in each area. This is done not only to protect the confidentiality of the producer, but so that certain findings in terms of alcohol abuse, family violence, drug abuse, teenage pregnancies and life skills training may be used to set up preventative measures. This information is then disseminated amongst all the relevant organizations.
Slingers, this year’s Farm Worker of the Year, is currently chairman of the developmental forum at Graham Beck. His daily responsibilities include having to ensure that sustainable development takes place on the farm. There exists an established structure on the farm which is comprised of various organizations, each of which function independently under their own management, but which also delivers a monthly report to the forum of their completed projects and plans for future projects.
Slingers is also the senior youth facilitator responsible for identifying and addressing the needs of the youth. Programmes for the year are drawn up, and the team attempts to realize all the plans for scheduled functions, projects and workshops.
According to Santi Basson, co-ordinator of the Farm Health Awards, Slinger’s award is the culmination of all that he has already achieved and the result of his contributions as a role model.
“With his determination and organizational abilities Floris is able to make a fundamental difference to the lives of others at Graham Beck Wines,” she commented. “His reputation as a leader and inspirational role model for other people extends further than merely the area in which he works. His talents in this field have already been utilized in America where he worked with under-privileged children during the summer vacation.”
The farms Graham Beck, La Motte and Glenwood all received special trophies in recognition of the systems and facilities which they introduced to improve the conditions of their workers, as well as the empowerment projects they established.
In addition to the Farm Worker of the Year Awards, each year RUDNET gives recognition to two people for the role they play or contribution they have made towards transformation in the wine industry. During 2004 Nosey Pieterse and Gavin Pieterse were honoured for their contributions towards Black economic empowerment in the wine industry. This year Jan Hendriks, senior farm foreman from Kanonkop, was rewarded by RUDNET for his contribution to the wine industry. He was, among other things, one of the founding members of the Farm Workers Association and one of the people who spearheaded the Bouwland empowerment project. Well-known personality in the wine industry, Jan Boland Coetzee, was also recognized for his contributions towards transformation, which began as early as 1972.
Enquiries Santi Basoon, RUDNET 072 2988 186