What is Partnership VineyardsPARTNERSHIP means working together, and in this instance, sharing in a wonderful opportunity in the Riebeek Valley and Swartland region of South Africa with those who have never owned anything in their lives. Please will YOU share in this unique project which will see those who have working with those who have not? Some partners will give, others will receive, and a few more will contribute their expertise and experience free of charge. The PARTNERSHIP VINEYARDS project largely arose out of the need for justice and fair opportunity for disenfranchised local farmworkers. For some time Riebeek Cellars in the Western Cape had been considering implementing some kind of Land Reform programme. Then in 2002 an outline project was put to the winery, which embraced it with enthusiasm as crystallising it's own ideas. The result was PARTNERSHIP. PARTNERSHIP VINEYARDS is a unique project which will both create ownership for those who have never owned anything tangible and give employment to some without work. Already it is bringing hope and opportunity to the Riebeek Valley community, and Swartland region as the first vines thrive in this new vineyard scheme. Everything about the project is connected with the word PARTNERSHIP. The main PARTNERS are:
The project will make the 150 farmworkers shareholders and consequently landowners in Partnership Vineyards, formerly known as Highlands Boedery, at Abbotsdale near Malmesbury, in the Swartland region which is adjacent to the Riebeek Valley. The costs of the shareholdings of the 150 farmworkers will be paid for by their employers; the 150 having been selected for their long service. Many of the employers are of limited means and will need 10 years or more to pay the necessary sums. This is seen not just as an act of Land Reform but as an outstanding example of PARTNERSHIP. The end result will be a wine brand to be targeted at both the UK and South Africa . It will be called PARTNERSHIP and will be easily recognisable by its unique labelling. Riebeek Cellars is a centre and stronghold of the community in the Riebeek Valley . Situated in Riebeek Kasteel, it was built as a wine co-operative in 1941 and became privatised about 10 years ago. It is the mentor and facilitator of the project and will provide winemaking and marketing facilities. It will also ensure that the relevant wine education is accessible to all partners. Without the active participation of Riebeek Cellars there wouldn't be any project. Christians may be encouraged when visiting Riebeek Cellars to see, at the entrance to the wine-tasting room, a board with the inscription I am the True Vine and find that many of the cellar's directors are local church leaders. |