Availing a farm for the future and growth of the wine industry
Mechau Viljoen of Eilandia Plase between Worcester and Robertson had a dream. His vision was to assist the land reform and transformation initiative in the South African wine industry. However, during his visit in May 2016 to the PALS Centre in Ceres, the journey to realize his dream of a black-owned wine farming establishment began. Yet it became evident this would be a long road to navigate based on prevailing circumstances then.
Through many consultations with PALS, Mechau decided to avail the largest portion of the farm, Rooilandia, to a 100% black-owned entity contributing to land reform and transformation. Mechau understood that this gesture must not only be symbolic but contribute to the socio-economic challenges facing the country. Thus, various other processes followed, such as sub-dividing, environmental impact assessments and water license applications, and finding a fit-for-purpose type of partner amongst others to implement the project.
Eilandia Plase financed expert studies regarding water and the EIA while PALS facilitated the subdivisions and winter water applications simultaneously. However, one frustration that remains is the delays in upgrading the Brandvlei Dam’s weir and obtaining additional summer water.
Via a communal pal in the wine industry, Mechau encountered Dan Mosia. Dan is a seasoned entrepreneur with vast experience and expert skills in the healthcare industry. His reputation is well pronounced within the health and agricultural industries. The challenge of finding a fit-for-purpose partner was then resolved, leading to Mechau realising his long-term dream.
In August 2021, after five years of perseverance, the 910 ha farm Rooilandia was registered in the name of Rockbelt Ridge. The land was transferred from one of Mechau’s companies to Rockbelt Ridge to commence the wine farming operations. Korhaanhoogte (Pty) Ltd has been set up to manage the farming operations to produce wine and table grapes as soon as the infrastructure installation process has been completed. Given Eskom’s current capacity challenges, alternative sources of electricity are being explored for irrigation on the farm produce.
The permanent employees of Eilandia Plase will receive profit-sharing from the new venture to improve their socio-economic position and enhance human capital through bursaries, skills development programmes, and social development initiatives.
Mechau has more than 26 years of experience and farms with wine grapes, deciduous fruit, vegetables and cattle on the seven farms in the area. He is also a director of Robertson Co-Op and Robertson Winery.
A love for the production of wine is something else Dan shares with Mechau. Therefore, they decided to establish a new black-owned Rockbelt Ridge trademark for wine. To help this project, Mechau also donated Robertson Co-Op and Winery shares to Rockbelt Ridge.
Dan described the event as a dream come true as he always wanted to be involved in the wine industry. “It will demonstrate to the farming community how co-operation through the PALS initiative is destined to achieve an inclusive agri-sector.”
Their perseverance has, at last, resulted in the transfer of the land. The development of the farm and related business ventures will hopefully lead to the establishment of Rockbelt Ridge as a sustainable agri-enterprise and trademark. Their wine might as yet not be ready, but one can already drink a toast to their first success in establishing Rockbelt Ridge.