WC Agri Minister Ivan Meyer visits Franschhoek winery
The Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, visited the Klein Goederust Franschhoek Boutique Winery owned by Paul Siguqa. Located in Franschhoek, Klein Goederust has been transformed from its dilapidated state to a promising boutique wine farm.
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Last week the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, visited the Klein Goederust Franschhoek Boutique Winery owned by Paul Siguqa. Located in Franschhoek, Klein Goederust has been transformed from its dilapidated state to a promising boutique wine farm.
Meyer handed over a new tractor to the farm owner and his team during the visit. “Producer support and development is one of my ministerial priorities. Today’s handover is in addition to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s (WCDoA’s) earlier contribution towards upgrading the irrigation system required for the 5.5 hectares of wine grape planting established this year. Further support is also provided by the WCDOA’s extension and advisory services.”
Owner Paul Siguqa grew up in the Franschhoek region with the dream of owning a farm one day. “My dream was realised in 2019 when I bought this farm. With the assistance of my good friend and winemaker, Rodney Zimba, the first wines were sourced and carefully blended and launched this month, and as of today, the restaurant and tasting room is also officially opened,” says Siguqa.
Meyer welcomed the news that Klein Goederust has created 17 new job opportunities in the Franschhoek region. “Growing the economy and creating jobs in the Western Cape Government’s priority.”
As highlighted by South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey statistics (QLFS) for the 3rd quarter of 2021 Western Cape industry level agricultural employment increased 44.3% in the 3rd quarter of 2021 when compared to the same quarter last year. The observed growth of 44.3% in agricultural work is mainly in primary agriculture.
According to StatsSA, this phenomenal growth rate in employment within the sector can be attributed to the favourable climatic conditions (e.g. rainfall), which continue to boost agricultural production with increased water availability and the momentum that the sector has built as an essential services sector.
“Agri-businesses such as the Klein Goederust Franschhoek Boutique Winery will contribute to further job creation within the agricultural sector in the Western Cape,” Meyer added.
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