WineLand Media, in collaboration with ROTOCON, honoured 30 movers and shakers in the South African wine industry at The Wine Arc in Stellenbosch. The 30 young professionals were honoured during a special luncheon on Thursday 2 June.
The luncheon presented a networking opportunity with like-minded youngsters and key industry role players. Western Cape Government’s Minister of Agriculture Dr Ivan Meyer, Vinpro MD Rico Basson, and Wendy Petersen from SAWITU (SA Wine Industry Transformation Unit) were also in attendance.
WineLand Media dedicates its June issue every year to recognise the most promising young professionals in the South African wine industry. This year we received an overwhelming number of nominations. “Our purpose is to pave the way to prosperity,” says WineLand Media editor, Wanda Augustyn. “We aim to shine the spotlight on the young voices who make a difference in the industry.”

Wanda Augustyn, Dr Ivan Meyer and Wendy Petersen.
For the second consecutive year, leading technology supplier for South Africa’s label printing and packaging industry, ROTOCON, has committed its sponsorship to this initiative for the second consecutive year. As the official sponsor, ROTOCON is dedicated to the development and mentorship of the young leaders of tomorrow, echoing their mantra of #bringingpeopletogether. “We’re excited to partner with WineLand Media to recognise, honour and salute the rising stars of the wine industry,” director and co-owner Michael Aengenvoort says.
“This partnership highlights our commitment to youth and technology development in the industry. Despite the challenges the youth faces, there’s immense potential that can be unlocked.” By partnering with WineLand, ROTOCON hopes this initiative will inspire young people to pursue their ambitions.
“We’re excited to have ROTOCON as our partner,” Wanda says. “These young stars will become the leaders of tomorrow and we want to tell their stories, share their visions for the industry and help shape their future.
“South African wine can compete with the best in the world,” says minister Meyer. “The 30 leaders identified today have the enviable task of sustaining and nurturing the wine sector’s well-deserved reputation for world-class wines. The wine sector’s future depends on new information, technology advancement, and a generation of agri-workers and youth with appropriate skills and qualifications to engage within an inclusive wine economy.
“One of my goals for agriculture is to increase opportunities for youth, women, and the disabled. Access to structured education, training, and research provides the requisite skills, knowledge, and experience to secure the future of agriculture. Congratulations to WineLand Media for an initiative that inspires and motivates our young leaders in the wine industry.”

Banie Stafford (ROTOCON), Dr Ivan Meyer and John Lomberg (ROTOCON).
The full list of candidates featured in the June edition:
Yolandi Barnard | Johann Basson | Tristyn Biggs | Dominic Bodenstein | Mvuselelo (Vusi) Dalicuba | Jean-meine Fernhout | Wilhelmina Fourie | Miceala Fuller | Chelsea Gibson | Ivan Jansen van Rensburg | Duane Jansen | Al-Jarreau (Ajay) Jantjies | Zizipho Jantjies | Patricia Kemp | Philip le Roux | Thomas Lennon | Kaylan Liebenberg | Gabriella Lundall | Charné Maree | Christiaan Nigrini | Peter Pentz | Daryll Pieterse | Thornton Pillay | Sebastian Rezek | Liam Jay Samuels | Johann Theron | Janine van Zyl | Anzette Visser | Tim Whitfield | Wayne Wilson
WineLand Media: WineLand Media is a B2B publication read by a subscriber base that includes 2 150 producers and wineries, 750 winemakers, 210 viticulturists, educational institutions, media, key directors, and managers, advertising agencies/representatives, as well as suppliers to the industry.
ROTOCON: ROTOCON prides itself on utilising the best and most reliable printing technology on the market through its Truepress SCREEN and ECOLINE equipment, but also by offering tailor-made turnkey solutions for South Africa’s label printing and packaging industries.

The full list of candidates featured in the June edition: