There’s a new name in the grape industry that does not conjure images of luscious vineyards, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported on Sunday.
It is called Riemvasmaak — best known as South Africa’s first successful land claim — and now maybe as the Northern Cape’s grape capital.
Riemvasmaak is the promised land to about 1 200 people. It is a barren place, where even weeds struggle to grow.
In 1999, the community decided to start growing grapes along the Orange River.
But the project died in its infancy because there was no money. Then the Siyanda municipality stepped in. ”We then recapped it in 2001 and said as Siyanda, we will contribute money,” said Sicelo Mbondezi, the executive mayor of the Siyanda municipality.
Through hard labour and lots of patience, the project has come to fruition. Expansions are now in the pipeline.
Project manager Lawrence Cloete said: ”The income we are going to generate will be ploughed back to the project itself and currently we have two hectares that has been developed last year and we are going to plant a young vineyard this year.”
It is estimated that the current eight hectares will produce about 240 tonnes of grapes.
This will be sold as raisins to a dried fruits company, and hopefully within three years, the first wines will see the light of day, destined for the European market, the SABC reported. – Sapa