Empowering Women in South Africa's Wine Industry

Reflections on National Women’s Day

Let’s start with a light-hearted joke:

Why do women have better intuition than men?

Because they read the instructions.

This might be an exaggeration, but it highlights a phenomenon observable in daily life.

Our discussion today revolves around the National Women’s Day, celebrated in South Africa every year on August 9th.

This day commemorates around 20,000 women of all races who marched to the Union Building in Pretoria on August 9, 1956, against apartheid and oppressive pass laws.

This march showcased the unity and strength of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. It highlighted that resistance wasn’t solely a man’s prerogative, drawing international attention to the oppressive regime.

In hindsight, this event played a vital role on the path to ending apartheid.

Yet, the fight for equality, justice, and recognition continues today. Women in South Africa are still often not regarded as equals – socially, professionally, or politically.

In August 2022, Statistics SA confirmed that 47% of South African women were unemployed, compared to 64% of men who were in formal employment.

Despite progress in South Africa, 66% of leadership positions are still held by men. Only about a third is occupied by women.

Each year, more girls than boys complete Year 12. Nevertheless, women often earn less on average, regardless of their qualifications or the sector.

At the start of the 21st century, women were rarely hired as cellar assistants. Today, the landscape has changed significantly.

Women have become integral team members in many wineries, often in various roles.

Twenty years ago, the situation was different. Back then, cellar work was often viewed as a “man’s job”. Women had to prove their competence and break through prejudices.

Even today, determination and clear professional boundaries are crucial. Healthy boundaries prevent overwhelm and nurture long-term satisfaction.

Communication is key in this regard. Setting and respecting clear boundaries creates a productive working environment.

Many women in the wine industry report that mental strength is essential, even if they are often unaware of their own strength.

Melinda Gates aptly put it: “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman – but finding that voice can be challenging.”

Women bring unique perspectives and skills to the workplace. Intuition, communication skills, and empathy complement classic leadership qualities like logic and decisiveness.

Winemakers report that mixed teams are more productive. Diverse approaches often lead to better solutions.

Women foster collaboration, enhance communication, and contribute to higher job satisfaction.

They are more likely to take on mentoring roles and generously share knowledge – a crucial factor for sustainable success in the cellar.

Effective communication serves as the foundation for stable working relationships. Women often support colleagues in times of crisis, metaphorically “walking part of the journey” with them.

A colleague from the wine industry puts it succinctly: “The people who accompany us on our journey are more important than the destination itself.”

Source: Msimang, Z., “Employing more women and paying them equitably will build better businesses and a more just society”, The Mail & Guardian, August 29, 2022