Spotlight on Vergelegen staff at Prestige Agri Awards
Author: riaan@wecanchange.co.za
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has a proud history of over 300 years of agriculture – so it’s fitting that several of the farm’s dedicated staff have been recognised in the Stellenbosch regional section of the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards.
The winners span Vergelegen’s administration, cellar, vineyards, horticultural and maintenance departments, with Vergelegen also announced as the best performing estate. Cellar supervisor Gladys Jafta was not only named forewoman of the year, but also scooped the top prize, agricultural worker of the year.
Other proud Vergelegen prize-winners were:
- Sivuyile Mtiya-Krismis (Estate), general worker of the year.
- Penelope Saunders (Administration), administrative person of the year.
- Scott Mpondo (Horticulture), junior manager of the year.
- Joseph Bosch(Vineyards), second place irrigation specialist.
- Sias le Roux (Maintenance), second place middle management
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture hosts these awards annually to acknowledge agricultural workers’ contribution to the sector’s sustainability and growth.
The Stellenbosch regional prize-giving took place at the Doornbosch Hall, Stellenbosch on 23 September. Category winners have now been interviewed for the overall Western Cape Prestige Awards, to be announced on 13 November.
Hospitality and HR Manager at Vergelegen, Sharon Hosking, says, “We are delighted that our fantastic staff have been recognised more widely for the hard work they put in every day. Their dedication and input make the estate a showpiece of top wines and gardens in the Western Cape.”
To visit Vergelegen: Monday-Sunday 08:30-17h00 (last entry 6h00). Entrance R10/adults, R5/pensioners and scholars. Find out more on www.vergelegen.co.za.
Vergelegen at the Stellenbosch regional awards: Left to right, Sivuyile Mthiya, general worker of the year; Joseph Bosch, second place, irrigation specialist; Penelope Saunders, administrative person of the year; Vergelegen security manager Carl Langenhoven who accepted the certificate for best achieving farm on behalf of Vergelegen; Gladys Jafta, cellar supervisor of the year, and agricultural worker of the year; Scott Mpondo, representing horticulture, junior manager of the year. Front: Sias Le Roux, second place middle management.
Certificates at the Vergelegen homestead: Left to right, back: Prizewinners Sivuyile Mtiya-Krismis, Joseph Bosch, Penelope Saunders, Scott Mpondo and Sias le Roux. Front right prizewinner Gladys Jafta, with security manager Carl Langenhoven, front left, who accepted the certificate for best achieving farm on behalf of Vergelegen