Local resident, Denise Stubbs (51) of Thokozani Winelands Investments was recently announced as the winner of the Cape Town round of the Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER pitching den.
The EmpowHER Development Series is aimed at providing entrepreneurs with access to much-needed skills and a chance to access new networks.
Stubbs who was born and raised in Pniel says she was shocked when she was announced the Cape Town winner.
“My employees entered me without warning me about the stress of the pitch, among other things. I was unprepared and everything went wrong that day. I finished my morning presentation only at 15:15, and when I needed to present within three minutes my slideshow did not work and I needed to speak from the heart.”
Taking one of her farm labourers, Tholine Liebenberg, with for support, she had absolutely no idea she would be named winner.
“I was shocked to the core at the announcement and the standing ovation it prompted from the people who attended. I had so many mixed emotions and immediately started to cry, it was all just too overwhelming. That moment was just too much to handle. I remember I was shivering and could not stop crying. I lost my mom about six months ago and I thought how proud she would have been of this achievement.
“Most of all, I felt so much gratitude. I was grateful to my people on the farm who supported and believed in me. I felt so much appreciation for my mentor David Sonnenberg of Diemersfontein Wines, my family and colleagues who contributed to my success.”
Stubbs, a mother to three daughters, explained how it came about that she became part of the wine industry.
“I remember we moved a lot in and around Pniel as there was no place for us to stay. We used to live in our extended families’ backyards until we moved to a one-bedroom home in Bo Street, Pniel. My brother and I shared the room with our parents while my sister slept in the small lounge. The toilet was outside and I was always so scared to walk out at night, washing in a ‘kommetjie’ will stay with me forever.”
After matric Stubbs finished her qualification in Fashion, Art Design and Marketing at Fashion and Art Studio Cape Town.
“I grew up during the dop system and the trauma of violence and the after-effects of foetal alcohol syndrome were devastating for our people of colour. Growing up as a labourer’s child it was the unknown that brought the curiosity of where I am today. Why was it that alcohol was a big factor in violence in my community, while the white people will enjoy drinking the same product, but with knowledge and enjoy it with good food? I worked at Mediclinic Head Office Stellenbosch for almost 10 years before being offered an HR position on the farm due to my connection with the wine industry.”
On 1 November this year she will be on the farm for 20 years.
According to Stubbs her biggest achievement over the years was that Sonnenberg trusted her enough to become independent and grow Thokozani (meaning celebrations in Zulu) to a successful wine and hospitality brand and entity with the employees of the farm.
“The training and development that went with the initiative were intense as it was absolutely crucial for the staff to understand the value of ownership, equity and independence. Thokozani bought 55% in 2021 in the brand Diemersfontein Wines, and today we are the proud owners of one of the top 10 wine brands in SA.”
“My biggest challenge is still that after apartheid we as people of colour are still labelled as BOB (black-owned brands). For some reason there is a negative connotation in our country with “a black producing wine”. The only thing about wine I learned was that it was red, white or rosé, and quality came before anything else. Our wines have proven themselves worthy by winning awards for two years in a row, the best Cab Franc in SA at the Investec wine trophy awards, and Double Platinum at the Michael Angelo awards for our Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Viognier blend.
Her advice to other females are: “Remember, entrepreneurship is a journey filled with learning, growth, and challenges. Embrace the process, be patient with yourself, and stay true to your vision. With dedication and perseverance, you can create a successful and fulfilling entrepreneurial career. Never stop dreaming.”
To young entrepreneurs she shares the following advice: “You have the opportunity to dream big and make a significant impact. The opportunities today are much more than we ever had during our youth. Embrace your dreams and work tirelessly to turn them into reality.”
Stubbs said her plans for the future include taking their case study around SA and inspiring other farmers and their communities to welcome change from the heart “and not for BBBEE reasons. Thokozani was always a business within a business but free to fly. Today we export to 13 countries and France is our biggest importer. We are proud of ourselves and blessed to have great-quality wines, sourced mainly from the farm itself, and committed ambassadors and shareholders.”
