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NEWS studying in viticulture and oenology. Mojapelo notes that Absa remains
Contact Unathi on 021 276 0455 or committed to playing its role as a
VINPRO FOUNDATION unathi@vinpro.co.za fro more responsible corporate citizen in
CELEBRATES GRADUATES information. assisting communities in times of such
crises, meeting some of the country's
VinPro Foundation bursary students The VinPro Foundation is a non-profit socio-economic challenges and
during the graduation function, front: organisation established by the South achieving shared growth.
Kunjulwa Zililo and Maryke Botha. African wine industry organisation
Back: Banele Vakele, Sharon February VinPro in 2013, which focuses on three For further information, please
(chairperson of the VinPro critical development areas in the contact: Bheki Mpofu Absa Group
Foundation), Louise Clausen and industry, namely training, ethical trade Media Relations
Unathi Mantshongo (VinPro). and socio-economic upliftment. Tel: 011 – 350 – 8462
Cell: 060 991 6039
The VinPro Foundation recently MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Lee-Anne Email: bhekizulu.mpofu@absa.co.za
commended three of its bursary Davidson, tel 021 276 0460, e-mail
holders in cellar technology, viticulture leeanne@vinpro.co.za SOUTH AFRICA'S DISTELL
and oenology for graduating at the CROWNED WORLD'S BEST
end of 2015. ABSA CONTRIBUTES R1-MILLION DISTILLER IN LONDON AND WINS
TOWARDS AGRISA DROUGHT BIG IN NEW YORK
The informal gathering in Paarl RELIEF EFFORTS
included a tasting of the students' own Distell has been judged the
wines. “This was a proud moment for Absa, a member of Barclays Africa, has International Wine & Spirit
all!” said Sharon February, chairperson donated R1-million towards AgriSA's Competition's (IWSC) Distiller of the
of the VinPro Foundation. efforts to assist drought-stricken Year for 2015. The prestigious industry
farmers and the communities that title for top quality was announced to
A total of six students were afforded depend on farming around the an international audience of some of
bursaries from the VinPro Foundation country. the world's foremost spirits producers
to further their studies in the wine and spirits specialists at a gala dinner
industry. Sazini Mojapelo, Head of Citizenship at in London November last year.
Barclays Africa, says: “As a leading
Banele Vakele and Khunjulwa Zililo corporate citizen and financial services This is the second time the
completed the B Agric Cellar provider in South Africa and the Stellenbosch-based Distell has
Technology degree at Elsenburg and agricultural sector in particular, Absa is triumphed against famous-name
Louise Clausen obtained her National concerned about the impact of the whisky, whiskey and cognac producers
Diploma in Agriculture – Viticulture current drought as well as the threat it across Europe, North America and
and Oenology at CPUT. The remaining poses to food security.” Asia. The previous time was in 2007.
three students who are currently
taking on the last stretch of their “This is why the bank has decided to What clinched it this year, were two
studies in BSc Viticulture and extend financial support to AgriSA-led category trophies, five gold
Oenology at Stellenbosch University relief efforts, aimed at assisting outstanding and 11 gold medals. The
are Micayla Fivaz, Maryke Botha and distressed farmers and the company took the Best Worldwide
Johannes Opperman. communities that depend on farming. Brandy trophy for the Van Ryn's 12
Year Old potstill made using the
“The purpose of the graduation “ We believe that Absa's traditional technique of Cognac, while
function was to build relationships the Best Worldwide Whisky trophy was
with the students as future role players contribution, together with awarded to the Three Ships Single Malt
in the wine industry,” said Unathi those made by other 10 Year Old.
Mantshongo, VinPro's transformation concerned citizens and
and development officer. “We are organisations, will assist in The coup comes hot on the heels of
constantly looking for new ideas from alleviating the severe effects three significant wins at the New York
young people on how to attract the International Spirits Competition,
youth in the agricultural sector and ”of the drought. where the company's Van Ryn's
this served as a good starting point.” Distillery was crowned Brandy
If local farms fail to produce enough Producer of the Year, and the James
Bursary opportunities are currently food for the country, more food Sedgwick Distillery, the Best
available to deserving candidates products will have to be imported, International Whisky Distillery of the
increasing the prices of food that
20 consumers have to pay. For this
reason, the government and several
businesses have contributed funds to
disaster relief efforts.
Absa's donation to AgriSA is part of a
multipronged approach to assist
drought-stricken communities. Absa
has also supported its own staff
members in accessing water in water-
short communities.
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