Dr Erna Blancquaert, 2023 honouree in the Viti- and Viniculture category; Carmen Stevens, 2022 recipient of the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership; Cathy Marston, 2024 honouree in the Wine Advancement category; Dawid Saayman, 2024 honouree in the Viti- and Viniculture category; Norma Ratcliff, 2015 recipient of the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership; Ilse Ruthford, 2024 honouree for Growing Inclusivity, Wendy Jonker, 2023 honouree in the Wine Advancement category. Back left to right: Rydal Jeftha, 2023 honouree for Growing Inclusivity; Jan Scannell, 2014 recipient of the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership; Ken Forrester, 2023 recipient of the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership; and Tim Hutchinson, 2024 recipient of the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership.

 

Franschhoek’s population is officially safe and is the first town in South Africa to have more than 80% of its people vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

A project, with the full support of Premier Alan Winde, Wesgro and the Department of Health, was kick started towards the end of August, whereby the goal was to have everyone in the valley vaccinated. This was undertaken in an effort to boost the faster return of international visitors to the region, and more importantly stimulate Franschhoek’s employment growth.