Standard Bank sponsors Soweto Wine Festival again

Says Bertie Smith, director of agricultural banking at Standard Bank, “In 2007, Standard Bank was offered the opportunity to sponsor the Soweto Wine Festival for the first time. Our involvement in the festival gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the wine industry, and to assist in unlocking the economic potential of Soweto.

“We are pleased that the Soweto Wine Festival has extended the invitation for us to be involved in 2008 and 2009, an opportunity we intend to use to once again reflect our support of the wine industry and our involvement in the broader agricultural industry.”

The 2008 Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival, taking place 5 – 6 September 2008, is the fourth consecutive wine festival in Soweto organised by the Cape Wine Academy, and is considered the most popular wine and lifestyle festival of its kind in Soweto. With over 300% growth in visitor attendance since 2005, this vibrant wine festival is setting trends that are representative of Soweto as a burgeoning suburb of Johannesburg.

Says Mnikelo Mangciphu, co-founding member and one of the organisers of the festival, “Standard Bank's involvement in the wine festival is great news. We are proud to be associated with this bank. They add tremendous value to all involved and do important empowerment work within the wine industry as a whole. We are very happy with this partnership of shared vision for Soweto and wine.”

Education in wine as a lifestyle

The focal point of the 2008 Soweto Wine Festival is education in wine as a lifestyle. The two ‘edutainment' elements that have been planned are The Wine Classes that will be presented by Cape Wine Masters, and ‘food & wine luncheons' to be held at selected restaurants and pubs in Soweto. Participating Soweto restaurants are Robby's Place in Pimville, Masekeng in Mofolo and Kaya-Lethu in Orlando. These luncheons are open to the public and will be fun and interactive, concentrating on matching flavours of traditional meals with wines.

115 wineries showcasing approximately 850 wines are expected to exhibit in Soweto this year to more than 5500 Sowetan residents and wine connoisseurs and producers. This festival provides economic value to the SA wine producers by introducing SA wines to new markets via education and interaction, which in turn increases local consumption and sales.

For more information, go to www.sowetowinefestival.co.za. The venue is Soweto Campus, University of Johannesburg, Old Potch Road.