Thandi aims for full black ownership

South Africa's Thandi winery is aiming to become the world's first stand-alone black-owned winery by 2014.

Thandi is currently two-thirds owned by the farming communities of Nietbegin, Lebanon and Paardenkloof, with the remaining third in the hands of the Company of Wine People (CWP), one of South Africa's largest wine exporters.

Over the next five years, general manager Vernon Henn will oversee the full transfer of ownership of CWP's stake to the Thandi farming communities, including three new growers who are scheduled to become Fairtrade accredited in 2009.

Thandi will take over responsibility for its own exports and Henn will devise a marketing strategy which will be delivered on Thandi's behalf by CWP.

Henn said: "It's been five years since Thandi became a Fairtrade accredited wine.

"Up until now we have utilised the skills and experience of the Company of Wine People to develop and build our brand and business, and we are very proud of the wines we now produce as a result of this guidance.

"We are now ready to take hold of the reigns ourselves, a move that will empower our farm workers and ensure that they take full ownership of the profits generated by sales of the wines worldwide."

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