December 11, 2025 – eRadio SA – Live from the Garden Route

Historic Milestone: First black-owned wine cellar opens in South Africa

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The Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, this week celebrated a landmark achievement in South Africa’s wine industry - the official opening of Klein Goederust Wine Cellar, the country’s first Black-owned wine cellar, located in Franschhoek.

Speaking at the event, Minister Meyer hailed the opening as “a triumph for real transformation and inclusive growth in one of South Africa’s most iconic sectors.” He emphasized that this milestone demonstrates what is possible when government, industry, and entrepreneurs work together.

Acquired in 2019 by owner Paul Siguqa, Klein Goederust has been transformed from a neglected farm into a thriving boutique winery and tourism destination.

“This is the classic case of farm workers who gave their children a vision of the future. They did not only dream - they worked hard, invested their own resources, and partnered with industry to turn that vision into reality,” Meyer added.

The wine industry contributes over R56 billion to GDP and supports more than 290,000 jobs, with 98% of wine cellars located in the Western Cape. Through programmes such as the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), the Western Cape Department of Agriculture provided funding for vineyard establishment, equipment, and production inputs.

“This project aligns with my four ministerial priorities: Agricultural Support, Food Security, Market Access, and Business Support,” said Meyer. These interventions ensure that success is not reserved for a few but shared across communities, creating pathways for growth and dignity.

Driving growth through Agriculture

The initiative also aligns with the Western Cape’s Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy, which aims to achieve breakout economic growth of 4%-6% by leveraging high-potential sectors such as agriculture and agri-processing. Klein Goederust integrates farming, tourism, and hospitality, creating jobs and celebrating cultural heritage.

Minister Meyer: “98% 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. The opening of Klein Goederust Wine Cellar in Franschhoek will contribute to economic growth and job creation.

"The owner’s hard work, compassion, and perseverance led to the opening of this wine cellar. Both the owner, Paul Siguqa, and the wine Rodney Zimba are children of farm workers. This is the classic case of farm workers who gave their children a vision of the future. They did not only dream, but put hard work and their own resources, and their support from many in the industry into their vision, from farmer to farm owner, and now the owner of a wine cellar is a success story in the Western Cape”.

“Klein Goederust is a beacon of hope and excellence. It shows that genuine transformation is not only necessary—it is achievable and sustainable,” Meyer concluded.

Scam targeting teachers

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The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has been alerted to a concerning scam targeting new, unemployed and substitute teachers. This fraudulent scheme misleads educators into believing they have been selected for permanent teaching posts and then solicits payment under false pretenses.

Several schools have recently reported incidents involving WhatsApp messages sent to young teachers.

These messages typically claim to be from a district official or school principal, stating that a permanent post has become available at a particular school and that the recipient is the preferred candidate.

The message instructs the teacher to report to a school with specific documentation.

Critically, it concludes with a request for a “once-off fee” of approximately R2 800 allegedly required for the “authorisation of an appointment letter” at district offices, accompanied by banking details.

Regrettably, some teachers have fallen victim to this scam, arriving at schools having paid the so-called “authorization fee,” only to discover that no such post exists.

"This deception has caused significant distress to the affected individuals and has the potential to damage the reputations of schools, principals, and district officials who are being impersonated. We urge all affected individuals to report these incidents to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation".

While investigations are ongoing, the Department wishes to warn the broader public to be aware of this scam and to note the following:

-Permanent teaching posts are advertised only through the WCED’s Directorate: Recruitment and Selection.
-The WCED (including Head Office, District Offices, and Schools) will never request payment for job applications or appointments.
-The online E-Recruitment System is the official platform for advertising and applying for posts.
-Unemployed educators must register and apply via the E-Recruitment System.
-Temporary appointments are managed directly by schools; applicants must verify the legitimacy of any advertised post.
-No payment is required for any appointment within the WCED.
-Suspicious activity must be reported immediately to the WCED and SAPS.

The WCED says it remains firmly committed to upholding the integrity of its recruitment processes and safeguarding the wellbeing of all educators.

"We sincerely hope that no further individuals fall victim to this malicious scam, which not only undermines the reputation of our staff and institutions, but also shatters the aspirations of young professionals seeking meaningful employment opportunities in education".

This is what the scam looks like:
MR10Dec25 - scam-targeting-teachers.png

W Cape records 28 fatalities in first week of festive season

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The Western Cape Mobility Department is deeply concerned about the alarming number of road incidents recorded in the first week of the festive season, from 1 to 7 December 2025.

According to the provincial government, a total of 21 fatal crashes were reported across the province during this period, resulting in 28 fatalities on provincial roads.

Pedestrian deaths remain a significant and persistent challenge on Western Cape roads.

Of the 28 fatalities recorded, 12 were pedestrians, making them the single largest group affected this past week.

The other fatalities include 10 passengers, three drivers, two motorcyclists, and one cyclist.

Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku said the numbers are extremely troubling, especially considering that the peak travel period has not even begun.

“Every life lost is a tragedy, and every family affected enters the festive season carrying pain instead of joy. Pedestrian safety remains one of our greatest concerns. We urge every road user, whether behind the wheel or walking alongside our roads, to exercise heightened caution.

“The mental and physical fitness of drivers who are undertaking long journeys is also of paramount importance to reducing the number of incidents,” Sileku said.

During the reporting period, Provincial Traffic Services conducted over 200 integrated operations, including roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and speed control activities.

Over 33 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, and just over 10 000 fines were issued for a range of traffic violations relating to both driver and vehicle fitness.

In addition, 43 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during this period.
As holiday travel increases, the department warns that drunk driving, speeding, and pedestrian behaviour continue to be major contributors to serious and fatal crashes.

Chief Director of Traffic Management, Maxine Bezuidenhout, stated that their teams are fully deployed across the province; however, enforcement alone cannot prevent crashes.

“We need every motorist, pedestrian, cyclist, and passenger to take responsibility. Simple decisions, like crossing only at safe points, not drinking and driving, and sticking to the speed limit, can save lives. The festive season should be a time of celebration, not mourning,” said Bezuidenhout.

As the province prepares for increased traffic volumes in the coming weeks, the Western Cape Mobility Department calls on all road users to remain vigilant and responsible.

“Let us work together to bring these numbers down. Your loved ones are waiting for you. Let’s make sure every journey ends with a safe arrival,” Sileku added.

Road safety tips for a safer festive season:
•    Slow down and obey the posted speed limits; speeding remains a leading cause of fatal crashes.
•    Never drink and drive. Plan by arranging a designated driver, e-hailing service, or alternative transport if consuming alcohol.
•    Be extra vigilant at night, especially for pedestrians, who are most at risk during dark, early morning, or in low-visibility conditions.
•    Cross roads only at safe, designated points and wear visible or reflective clothing when walking near roadways.