South Africa is famous for its picturesque vineyards and world-famous wines. However, the country’s wine industry remains largely dominated by the minority white population, leaving few opportunities for young people from townships and disadvantaged backgrounds. This is where the Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA) intervenes by offering young people training in wine professions, with the aim of making this industry more accessible and inclusive.
Each year, the Pinotage Academy trains around fifty students for nine months. These young people often do not have the means to continue their studies after secondary school, but thanks to this academy, they have the opportunity to train in the wine sector. Rudy Oosterwyk, head of innovation at the academy, highlights the importance of this training in transforming the sector: “Black South Africans only own less than 1% of the 390 million liters of wine produced each year within a five-mile radius of our school. Our goal is to produce competent black workers who will be recognized for their skills rather than their skin color.”
Training at the Pinotage Academy is not only limited to the technical aspects of viticulture and enology, but also encourages students to broaden their horizons when it comes to tastes and aromas. For young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, it can be difficult to recognize aromas they have never experienced. However, the school encourages them to try new foods and develop their tasting senses. This approach aims to enable students to acquire comprehensive expertise in the field of wine.
Pinotage Academy graduates see a bright future in the wine industry. Okuhle, one of the students, already dreams of furthering his studies and having his own brand and domain one day. Ziyanda, for her part, has just finished her studies at the academy and is already directing the production of “Ulutsha” wine, a pinotage created in partnership with a local vineyard. She is proud to be a part of transforming the industry, bringing new ideas and perspectives as a young black woman.
The Pinotage Academy has already trained nearly 500 students in the wine professions since its creation. It also offers other programs in the tourism and agriculture sectors, providing disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to train and find employment opportunities in different industries. The main objective of the academy is to promote diversity and inclusion in the world of wine, allowing everyone to have access to the opportunities it offers.
In conclusion, the Pinotage Youth Development Academy plays a vital role in transforming the South African wine industry. By training young people from townships and disadvantaged areas in wine professions, it helps to open up new perspectives and make this industry more inclusive. Thanks to this initiative, many young people will be able to realize their dreams and play an active role in the world of wine in South Africa.