During his recent visit to the Akkedisberg Workers Trust, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer expressed his pride in the work of the award-winning wine business.
Ten years ago, 20 beneficiaries – all agri-workers – successfully negotiated a 30-year lease agreement of 20ha with the Dryer family (owner of the land) and established the Akkedisberg Boedery Pty (Ltd). They immediately set about establishing 16 ha of different wine cultivars on 20 ha. Today, ten years later they are the proud owners of Southern Treasures Pinotage 2021.
Minister Meyer said, “Our research has proven that for land reform to be successful the project must have access to land tenure security, capital, passionate, hardworking beneficiaries, mentors, and production input investment. In fact, long-term secure tenure arrangements ensure that hard-working entrepreneurs, such as those at Akkedisberg, can access funding for production inputs and related support.”
“The Western Cape Department of Agriculture started to support the project with capital investments such as irrigation infrastructure and production inputs. A tractor, pick-up bakkie and implements were included in the support granted by the department,” added Minister Meyer.
According to Chrsytal Moses, Director of the Worker’s Trust, the beneficiaries are dedicated and hardworking.
“Our goal is to become the proud owners of a successful wine business. Launching the Southern Treasurers Pinotage 2021 and winning the double gold award at the South African National Wine Challenge 2023 competition was just the beginning of our journey towards achieving our goal,” she added.
“A recent external evaluation of support to agricultural land reform projects conducted by the department during the 2022/23 financial year, revealed an 83% success rate of all the agricultural land reform projects which were funded and supported by the department for the last 5 years. Internationally, the success rate currently sits between 9% and 30%. This is a testament to the diligence of our farmers. It also indicated that the Western Cape Government’s work to create the right environment for our agricultural sector and land reform efforts is on the right track. I am exceedingly proud of Akkedisberg and their entire team and look forward to seeing this business grow from strength to strength,” concluded Minister Meyer.
Media Enquiries
Daniel Johnson
Spokesperson for Minister Ivan Meyer
Email: Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za
0799904231 (m)
