SA’s first black-owned wine farm opens in Franschhoek

The Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, this week marked a historic milestone in South Africa’s wine industry with the official opening of Klein Goederust Wine Farm, which is the country’s first black-owned wine farm and situated in Franschhoek.

Speaking at the event he described the development as “a triumph for real transformation and inclusive growth in one of South Africa’s most iconic sectors.” Meyer said the achievement highlighted what is possible when government, industry and entrepreneurs collaborate.

Paul Siguqa, owner of Klein Goederust and Rodney Zimba, the winemaker, are both children of farm labourers. “This is the classic case of farm labourers who gave their children a vision of the future. They not only pursued their dreams, but put hard work and their own resources into it, and had the support of many in the industry, from farmer to farm owner, and now we have another case of a wine cellar enjoying success in the Western Cape.”

Klein Goederust, since Siguqa acquired it in 2019, has been turned around, from being a rundown farm into a flourishing boutique winery and tourism destination.

The wine industry contributes more than R56 billion to South Africa’s GDP and supports more than 290 000 jobs, with the vast majority of wine cellars (98%) located in the Western Cape. The provincial Department of Agriculture provided support through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), funding vineyard development, equipment and production inputs.

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Meyer said this project aligned with his “agricultural support, food security, market access and business support.” It formed part of the Western Cape’s Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy, which seeks to achieve 4% to 6% economic growth by unlocking potential in high-impact industries such as agriculture and agri-processing. Klein Goederust combined agriculture, tourism and hospitality, creating employment and preserving cultural heritage.

He emphasised the sector’s importance: “Ninety-eight percent of all wine cellars are based in the Western Cape, creating thousands of jobs. Growing the economy and creating jobs are the Western Cape Government’s top priorities.”