The Future Looks Bright

May has been an incredible month of good news. Not only did the International Wine Education Centre announce fifteen recipients of a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Bursary granted by the Gérard Basset Foundation, they also have two brand new WSET Level 4 Diploma Students joining them for their August intake.

Congratulations to Tonderai Teddius Makonye who has been awarded the Gérard Basset Foundation WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines scholarship 2025. Teddy works as a sommelier at Ficks and Dutchies Restaurant in Hermanus and passed his WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with a double Distinction, thanks to the GBF sponsorship last year. His goal is to make wine more accessible to his community, encouraging others to seek a career in the wine industry.

Huge congratulations to Lehumo Wealth Masemola who has been awarded a bursary to study the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines by South African Wine. “We are incredibly proud of Wealth and the journey he’s on. His passion, dedication, and commitment to the wine industry reflect the very qualities we seek to support through our development initiatives. We look forward to seeing the impact he will continue to make.” — Kachné Ross, People Development Manager, South Africa Wine

We wish them both every success on their DipWSET journey!

Major Upskill for the SA Wine Industry

Congratulations to the 15 recipients of the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Scholarships from Gérard Basset Foundation: Ardben Manyowa, Brenda Mativenga, Charmaine Chidaushe, Claudia Carelse, Gazelle Furlong, Glyne Chidemo, Lawrence Mukosi, Leonard Mukamuri, Menzo Ndhlovu, Paul Zantsi, Phumzile Qwabe, Razeen Adams, Sibulele Mantyi, Timothy Manga, Yonela James.

Many of these faces are also Pinotage Youth Development Academy students—great news for our industry, which continues to nurture and grow talent. A big thank you to the Gérard Basset Foundation for investing in these up-and-coming wine stars!