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3 December

As the South African wine
industry continues to grow
exports despite the global
recession, it is also
achieving increasing
international recognition for
its ethical approach to
winemaking, says Wines ...read more

Fundi - A legacy of hope



Download - Fundi Presentation

The entire South African wine industry has worked together with Wines of South Africa (WOSA) to create an innovative top quality wine brand, and ensure that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this wine will be used to train more than 2 000 previously disadvantaged people as wine stewards by 2010, when South Africa will host the FIFA World Cup.

To achieve this goal, the wine industry needs to raise R4,5 million and thus Project Laduma was born (laduma is the Zulu word for a goal scored in soccer). The project is being managed through a Section 21 company and every measure is being taken to ensure transparency and accountability.

This new brand is called Fundi (pronounced foon-dee) which is derived from the isiZulu word umfundi which means ‘learner’ and in South Africa refers to an expert or learned person. The whole industry was invited to submit wine samples and the six winners were selected blind by the members of the Cape Winemakers Guild. Suppliers to the industry have sponsored or subsidised everything from dry goods to legal work, bottling and publicity (click here for a full list of Fundi sponsors).

The result is a fabulous premium red wine, selling at a great price while generating a significant contribution to the training with every bottle sold. A total of 17 500 six-bottle cases need to be sold to raise the needed funds. About 20% of the wine will be exported, as international markets have expressed huge interest in what is a world first. Training kicked off in early July in the winelands and will continue countrywide until the end of May 2010.

Let’s raise our glasses and contribute to a lasting legacy of hope!


Newsflash


WOSA secured a R250 000 grant from the Cape Winelands Municipality. Recruiting for candidates was done through the Wine Routes and 120 people were trained in July at four training centres in the winelands.

Directors
Dalene Steyn (WOSA)
Joaquim Sa (Amorim Cork)
Michael Lutzeyer (Grootbos Private Nature Reserve)
Mohammed Valli Moosa
Dr Paul Cluver (Paul Cluver Estate)
Su Birch (WOSA)
Timothy Paul Rands (Vinimark)
Project manager
Michaela Stander (WOSA)