Ayabonga Belem

Ayabonga was born and raised in Stellenbosch, Kayamandi, where he wasn’t sure what the future held. His first encounter with the world of wine was through his sister, Mongikazi Belem at the age of 16. Mongikazi enrolled as a PYDA student at the age of 24.

Today, she works at Warwick Wine Estate. Still drifting, Ayabonga, made his own choice when he came across a timely PYDA Facebook post at the age of 21. “I knew I had to act,” he says, and submitted his application.

He admits that, at that stage, it was less about the wine and more about wanting to make something out of life. “I wasn’t inspired by anything other than reaching for the nearest light, and refusing to become part of the statistics of black and coloured talents who could have been.”

At PYDA, inspiration came by the name of Nomonde Kubheka, one of the first black women to swim against the tide in a world reserved for white men. “Nomonde is now the wine lead at PYDA and a great wine educator,” Ayabonga says.

“PYDA doesn’t just teach you about wine and the wine industry. I experienced a lot of growth through personal development classes, which equipped me with emotional intelligence, professionalism, conflict resolution, and so much more. I could go on for days.”

Working hard

Although Ayabonga fell head over heels in love with the whole programme, he found oenology a lot more challenging than any of his other subjects. “I guess I’m fond of a little challenge!”

What kept him motivated to pass with flying colours? A big part of it was the incentive of qualifying for a good job that will pay well, he says. “That, and fear of the guilt that comes with not living up to my potential. My greatest lesson on this journey is that I am more than capable of becoming whatever version of myself I have imagined in my head.”

His advice to others is to believe in that the vision of yourself and keep chasing your dreams. “The can become real, but it’s all up to you to bring them to life.”

“This programme has opened my mind to a new world,” he says. “I now see myself in wine writing and tourism as well. Suddenly, I want it all.”

Ayabonga has just completed his six weeks of work placement as a wine advisor at Morgenster Estate in Somerset West, and he’s hoping this will lead to a fixed contract or a permanent placement somewhere.

Thanks to PYDA, it’s just a matter of time before this bright young student’s determination will bear fruit.