The new umbrella body for the South African wine and brandy industry, South Africa Wine, has had its inaugural Board meeting and announced its new CEO. This ushers in a new era for the South African wine industry where the amendment in industry support structures will bring about much-needed improved collaboration and therefore added impact, as well as a more aligned and focused approach which will make this industry more resilient, profitable, and sustainable.
The Vinpro and SALBA boards, as founding members of South Africa Wine, appointed five producer directors and five brand owner directors to serve on the board as per the Memorandum of Incorporation. They are Antoinette Vermooten, Anton Smuts, Boyce Lloyd (representing brandy), Sakkie du Toit, James Reid, Mohseen Moosa, Phillip Retief, Rydal Jeftha, Vivian Kleynhans and Wessel de Wet. Ronald Ramabulana was appointed as an independent board member and elected as the Chairman of the board.
Khumbuzile Mosoma from the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), will be an observer.
“South Africa Wine gives us an opportunity to grow an inclusive wine industry,” says South Africa Wine Chairperson, Ronald Ramabulana. “I am extremely excited about growing the profitability of companies in the wine value chain. I look forward to working with the Board and our new CEO, as well as all other role players in the wine industry.”
The Board appointed Rico Basson, currently Vinpro MD, as the CEO of South Africa Wine. He will commence his new role on 1 June 2023.
“I am extremely excited about the formation of South Africa Wine and the journey ahead and I look forward to taking the wine and brandy industry to the next level with the help of the rest of the South Africa Wine team,” says Basson.
The recruitment process for other new executive roles is well underway. These roles are expected to commence employment, together with the staff transfer to South Africa Wine, in July 2023.
ISSUED BY
Vinpro & SALBA
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Wanda Augustyn
Communications and Brand Manager: Vinpro
Tel: 021 276 0458
E-mail: wanda@wineland.co.za