ROBERTSON WINERY & CONSTITUTION WINE GROWERS -
a model BEE initiative

As a member of Robertson Winery we are thrilled that the long awaited Black Economic Empowerment Initiative is functioning well after years of preparatory work. This initiative empowers particularly the women on Robertson Winery's member farms. To this end, 183 permanent employees were selected from these farms and formed 3 trusts according to their geographic location in the Robertson Valley. 6 of Riverton's staff members are shareholders in this BEE company. Directors were appointed from amongst themselves to serve on the board of their company, Constitution Wine Growers, of which they own 66% and Robertson Winery owns 33%.

The company purchased a farm in one of the Breede Valley's choice wine producing areas, appointed a manager and staff, and it now operates as a fully fledged member of Robertson Winery. Under Briaan Stipp's guidance a replanting programme is in progress and in addition to the existing vineyards of Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay, an additional 10 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon have been planted. These grapes are then sold to Robertson Winery and profits will go to the shareholders.

While this initiative has been on the drawing board for years, transfer only took place in September 2009. So the 2010 harvest was the first for Constitution Wine Growers.

To allow these women to run their company properly and make informed business decisions, Robertson Winery has undertaken a holistic training programme together with WineTech including everything from viticultural practices to financial management.

Robertson Winery CEO Bowen Botha, thinks that we have eventually developed something that will be sustainable. This project has also paved the way for more projects; already we have several in the pipeline.

National FES Workshop 12 - 14 November 2010

All 6 of the Riverton Staff members have completed their first level of training with 3 of the ladies being chosen on academic merit to continue with their second level of training. Mrs. T. Pietersen from Riverton was also chosen as one of 5 Constitution Wine Growers members to attend the National FES workshop at the CTICC in Cape Town in November.

Several topics were covered at the conference, for later discussion and identification of issues and recommendations, including:

• Institutional and shareholding arrangements (incl. benefication)
• Skills transfer and empowerment (incl. gender issues)
• Working conditions and labour relations
• Security of Tenure (inc. exit and entry mechanisms)
• Co-management, Mentorship and Equity Schemes