Judy, consumers should note how they tasted the wines they score, whether sighted (in which case their scores can be disregarded like we do with the Platter guide) or blind.

We have just been informed by Mr Mafuya of the DME (Regional Office) that African Exploration Mining and Finance Company (AEMFC) is still proceeding with the prospecting right applications. The applications were not withdrawn and in his words ?the statement was incorrect?. This then also confirms GCS?s insistence to proceed with the submission of the EMP?s. Legal counsel says that they have also had no response from AEMFC regarding an explanation of this absurd matter, and they are confident that they will not receive any response.

Whilst we all were under the impression that sanity had prevailed, AEMFC has continued with its applications. How else can one explain that a company intentionally proceeded contrary to its chairperson?s public announcements! Was the statement deliberately vague and deliberately dated 2009? Did AEMFC deliberately mislead the public that they were withdrawing their applications? It certainly appears to be the case.

If things are left unclear, this probably means that something is still going on.
Say one thing and do another is quite a popular approach used by some circles.

This fits very well into another, much bigger scheme: http://www.sairr.org.za/press-office/press-releases/002-press-release-15-03-2010.pdf

Different departments are tying to secure as much as they can for their cronies and it seems that time matters more than style or even legality. First come, first served.

We really need to bring our act together and fight against land grabs across the country. It will be a long struggle. And the opposition is ruthless.

Just another scam from the first world to fleece the third world - Time Magazine last year exposed the way banana producers in South America felt about Fairtrade.
Amazing how offices are set up and paperwork created to "justify" the costs these producers have to pay, shocking first world!
So you buy a fairtrade product to ease your conscience in your all-consuming, massive wastage society and then you don't re-purchase it 'coz it doesn't taste the way you feel your conscience wants it to taste. Man, get over yourself, go tithe at the local church and then buy whatever you like!

SA Fairtrade certification includes a controversial political requirement that is not applied in other countries such as Chile and Argentina. As such, it is not fair at all. The playing fields have more undulations that the Cape fold belt. For more information see http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/pendock/2010/02/15/fairtrade-%E2%80%93-the-dyi-alternative/

The parting comment: "Black empowerment means nothing for the international consumer: "For them it is about the social upliftment of people". No matter the race or colour."...is the possible answer to the approach.

What is needed is recognition of producers for their social upliftment initiatives and interventions. At this point in time, becoming Fairtrade accredited is the only way to bring that message across, at a HUGE cost no less! As the other schemes do not look at this as part of the audit methodology.

In addition, we should support our own local initiatives such as WIETA. Yes granted, there have been challenges but as the industry we have a voice and need to hold such an organization accountable along with supporting it, so that it retains its recognition in the international market and thus ultimately becomes a more cost effective way to prove our social accountability.

It is a pity to read all that negative comments on Fairtrade whereas there are so many positives. First of all Fairtrade is a voluntary system. If you don't want to participate as a producer or consumer then don't. Nobody is foced to go Fairtrade and comply to standards so what is the fuss? Secondly, it is obvious that the benefits are far bigger than the costs. There is a waiting list to get certified and those in the system don't leave. Thridly, the benefits to workers on winefarms is not a scam but real. I wish that fairtrade was not necessary and all farms worked according to Fairtrade principles. Unfortunately (I have been a WIETA auditor) this is not the case at all. Fairtrade will therefore remain relevant for farm workers in terms of better working conditions, pay and social investment.

The writer has misquoted me despite receiving written answers to her questions and two errors should be corrected in her article. I work for FLO-CERT, the company which certifies against the FLO standards , not for FLO (Fair Labelling Organisation), the wider network of those involved in the FLO market who, inter alia, set the standards against which we certify. As the writer clearly points out all certification fees are publicised on the www.flo-cert.net website, to which we refered her. They are by no means confidential and are applied to all clients as published without exception. To imply otherwise and attribute words in quotations to someone who has not said them is misleading to your readership.

Department of Mineral Resources Director-general Sandile Nogxina in the Business Day article:

"They did not know that there were vineyards there when they made the application ? they just used a geological map.?

I suggest we invite all Government Departments on a trip through the Winelands. We need education at the highest levels. Who is in?

Yes, it is very much still a niche, however I find all local grappa offerings (as well as the more commercial imported ones) still quite unpalatable. Dalla Cia's are no exception and I don't have high hopes for their latest 'exclusive' offering.

"educating this market for many years"

Well... quite. I guess the local market still has a long way to go. Meanwhile the few of us true appreciators remain frustrated. Thank goodness for the presence of some: http://melgab.co.za/description/grappa

... while pricey, you taste every cent.