The Auctioneers Initiative, a collaboration between the Nederburg Auction and auctioneers Anthony Barne MW of Bonhams and David Elswood of Christies, aims to identify young viticulturists with potential for excellence through a detailed selection process and offer them the opportunity to enroll in a tertiary institution and gain the required skills while working alongside and being mentored by experienced viticulturists in the South African wine industry.
Anthony Barne, who has presided over the Nederburg Auction for the last seven years as auctioneer, was keen to develop a programme of a similar nature to the Patrick Grubb Bursary initiative, which ran for 11 years in association with the Nederburg Auction, and enabled nearly 20 individuals from previously disadvantaged communities, working in the wine industry, to gain international experience in the vineyards of some of the world’s finest wine regions.
Azolile Khoncoshe, the first recipient to benefit from the newest initiative, is currently a third-year Viticulture & Oenology student at the University of Stellenbosch. The bursary funded his studies in 2016 and will continue to do so for the remaining portion of his degree. Through the Nederburg Auction, Khoncoshe will also have the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced viticulturists and cellar masters in the local wine industry.
Originally from Tsholomnqa in the Eastern Cape, Khoncoshe says that he feels extremely fortunate to be in a position to follow his passion. “This has truly been an eye-opening experience, as I have had the chance to interact and network with the leaders in the wine making industry and have been exposed to new technologies, resulting in a better understanding of how the industry actually operates.”
Khoncoshe was accepted to Stellenbosch University in 2015, after having spent a year studying biotechnology at the Cape Town Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). “It’s everything I have hoped for”, he says when asked about his Viticulture and Oenology degree. “I feel challenged and inspired to learn, and now with the support of the Nederburg Auction, I look forward to learning more about the practical business side of the wine industry.”
Anthony Barne MW from Bonhams in London says “In the last decade or so, due to the leadership and imagination of a creative group of wine producers, South African wines have been seen to take their place among the world's finest. This has not happened overnight and, in order to stay at the top, the Cape needs to invest in future generations of talented viticulturists and wine-makers. I am very pleased to be able to play a small part in achieving this goal.”
David Elswood, International Head of Wine at Christies, says that he is thrilled to see that the initiative is already reeling positive results. “, I am delighted to be personally involved with this exciting initiative and wish Azolile all the very best for the remainder of his studies and the career which follows."
The Nederburg Auction bursary includes full tuition fees starting from the selected student’s third year of studies, and will continue through until they graduate. All applicants are assessed by the Nederburg Auction Bursary Committee and should their performance be satisfactory, an interview is requested of the applicant. The Nederburg Auction committee will offer the bursary within the wine industry to one student every two to three years in order to identify potential through excellence which will enable the committee to focus on the sustainability of mentorship of the individual. The next bursary will only be available again in 2019, however application forms will be available from November 2018.
Dr. Prof. Marius Lambrechts, Director of Innovation Head office Quality at Distell, says: “In order to build on the benefits of such an initiative, significant time over the last 12 months has been dedicated to researching and creating a successful long-term solution within the industry that will empower individuals. The end result is the collaboration between Anthony Barne, David Elswood and the Nederburg Auction Office to focus on Viticulture as a viable yet sustainable and fulfilling career path. We look forward to having Azolile on board this programme and sharing updates in the near future.”