Estate Living Digital Publication Issue 7 July 2015 | Page 6

T HE

VINES

Mark of Mandela

Globally showcasing all that South Africa
has to offer whilst helping to sustain local
South African farmers and challenges the
status quo, something the Mandela’s
know a thing or two about.

dominated status quo of our winemaking sector. The

“Our father and grandfather’s Xhosa name, Rolihlahla,

“The addition of black women in the South African

literally translates as the one who is brave enough to

wine industry is a serious challenge, but not an

go and fetch the honey from the honeycomb” explains

impossible one,” says Tukwini. “We want to inspire

Tukwini, granddaughter of the late Nelson Mandela.

and excite the next generation to join the industry in

With the help of her mother, Maki, she is fully intent

other ways than just farm work and there is definitely

on challenging the predominantly white and male-

plenty of opportunity for black women.”

smattering of passionate female winemakers, like
South Africa’s first female black winemaker, Ntsiki
Biyela, are making positive strides but still, only 20 or
so of the 350, 000 people employed in the industry
are black winemakers and even less than that are
black women.