September 2010
EDITORIAL
Funny, how we can't find one another
It’s quite a disappointment that a forum for discussion to improve the situation of farm workers – with none other than prez Zuma in attendance – had to end up in dissent between labour representatives and those from the ranks of organised agriculture, namely Agri SA. This, at a time when there have been signs of improved relations and ‘openness’ between the various parties, including the agricultural ministry.
It once again highlights the huge rift remaining between the agricultural ‘establishment’ and workers, with their clearly deep-seated legacy of emotion and mistrust. Then, it must also be said that for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to present the event as the “National Vulnerable Workers Summit” did not auger well for relationships and hinted at a future session of boere bashing.
One just hopes that, with the situation regarding huge job losses in recent times, with agriculture bearing the brunt, that calmness and sanity will prevail to stabilise the rapidly declining farming corps, the veritable kitchen of the country. This, while optimising the huge development opportunities in this sector and eradicating any remaining malpractices and injustices through a united front by all role players – where goodwill should overcome emotions, opportunism and selfishness.
Yes, big words and huge challenges. The keyword here is leadership – of wise, purposeful and courageous people like the two deceased wine industry figures we pay homage to in this edition: Julius Laszlo and Graham Beck.
As editor I cannot vouch to have really known them personally, but their respective legacies are there for all to see. And to build upon.
Meanwhile a personality I do have the honour of personal acquaintance, Spatz Sperling, is very much the mischievous livewire as ever at the age of 80. Perhaps we also need more of his brand of balanced determination and humour …
Also that of Cabrière’s Achim von Arnim, whose birthday falls on the same day as Herr Spatz’s. “Say something funny,” is what Spatz asked him at the Delheim birthday bash. “I guess it’s funny that we’re all still here today,” was Achim’s wry reply.
Cassie
Rig die oë na binne
Met die wêreld se oë weer gefokus op die wynbedryf gedurende September en veral op die 9de met Fetale Alkohol Spektrum Sindroom (FASS)-dag, sal Suid-Afrika wat een van die hoogste syfers van FASS het in die wêreld, moet introspeksie hou oor die impak hiervan op die land se gemeenskappe en weer eens hernieude maniere vind om hierdie hoogs voorkombare siekte, in die kiem te smoor.
Dis egter nie al waarvoor ons bedryf moet pa staan nie. Die enorme hoeveelhede wyn wat oor die afgelope drie jaar die weg Angola toe gevind het waar rooiwyn as mengeldrankie saam met Coke gedrink word, het verskeie wynkelders plaaslik boos. En die groot kommer heers nie oor die gewilde Katemba nie, maar dat die wyn van Angola af weer in allerhande gedaantes verder versprei word.
Op ’n meer positiewe noot het Backsberg ook na binne geloer en as deel van hul omgewingsvriendelike benadering tot wynproduksie die eerste kelder geword wat hul wyn in PET verpak het. ’n Belangrike stap volgens Simon Back, omdat hulle graag die verpakking met ’n kwaliteit produk wou vereenselwig.
Bonnievale Kelder het self ook ingeklim en met die vreemde plaasnaambordjie, Elethu, hul geld agter die alewige gepraat gesit en ’n mooi stuk riviergrond is pas geregistreer in die naam van die Bonnievale Workers Empowerment Trust, ’n unieke SEB-projek. Vir die werkers van hierdie kelder ’n eie stukkie aarde, vandaar die naam wat “ons s’n” beteken.
Tydens een van die mooiste maande van die jaar is dit miskien tyd vir introspeksie. Hoe maak jy die wynwêreld ’n beter plek? Of dit nou met veldkos en Lekkerwijn of biltong en Polkadraai is, rig bietjie jou oë na binne.
Wanda
