Boycott may hit South African winery - what’s your opinion?
May 18, 2009
Stumbled upon this rather negative article on Fin24 this morning:
Boycott may hit South African winery.
Now to summarise the article in brief:
Delheim Wine Estate, outside Stellenbosch, is being accused of forcing pensioners out of their homes on the estate and as a result could lose contracts to export wine to Denmark en Sweden.
The article also accuses Delheim of various atrocities against its staff, including the continuation of the “tot” system.
From what I can tell, I think they are being unfairly singled out for merely trying to curb the abuse of human settlement in the housing they provide on the estate.
Now my opinion is solely based on what I have read via this article and perhaps there is more to the story than meets the eye.
What concerns me more in this matter is mention of the ‘tot’ system (or ‘dop’ system) and that it may still exist on the estate. I sincerely hope that this is not the case because its a very, very destructive ‘tradition’ that seriously negative and far reaching implications (see here)
What do you think about the dispute?
Posted in SA Wine Industry
May 18th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Now my opinion is solely based on what I have read via this article
Why - for goodness sake?
Why on earth did you not go to the Delheim site and read their side of the story??
Why do you repeat the allegation of the Dop system being used. Isn’t the dop illegal? You are close to repeating an accusation of illegal practises.
The winery states that payment in alcohol has never been used under their ownership and that giving of alcohol ceased in the early 1980’s.
As you say perhaps there is more to the story than meets the eye. So why did you not take the trouble to click the winery link and find out?
May 18th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Pete - read what I said again - ‘what I have read VIA this article’ - meaning that anything the article points to or makes reference to, I have read - including what delheim say on their website.
the reason I state this is because i do not have the time to actually visit the farm and speak to the farm workers or the owners of the estate - therefore I draw my opinion based conclusion that delhaim have been unfairly accused solely on what I have read.
i make reference to the dop system because i think alcohol abuse is an important issue and it concerns me that the issue is being mentioned.
sure a winery may state that they dont use the system - but that doesn’t mean the facts are cast in stone (and I am not making reference to delheim in particular) - as you say all the written ‘facts’ should be checked on the ground.
all i am saying is that i hope that those allegations are not true.
May 18th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I love reading Pete May’s comments and the Crumaster knows just how to flush him out. Keep it up Pete - its good for the heart. And by the way Camberley Pinotage is also good for the heart and soul - not to mention that it tastes damn fine
May 18th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
In all the allegations in the article they never suggested that the dop system was currently being used at Delheim. It clearly states “When Patricia Dyata was little, her stepfather and other male workers at Delheim wine farm received every evening one and a half litre of wine for their efforts.” Patricia is now a grown woman with her own child.
So the only one suggesting Delheim are using the dop system now seems to be you.
I didn’t say the facts should be checked on the ground, I did suggest both sides ofthe argument could be presented. However, I’m looking forward to your detailed report after your visit next weekend.
Kesh, thanks for the comments. I’m doing my best to keep Brendan on the straight and narrow.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I have to say B, after reading the rebuttal from Delheim and the original article, it does appear to be a pretty shoddy piece of sensational journalism on behalf of both Fin 24 -for the casual reference to the dop system - and the Danish newspaper.
I think you also have a responsibility as a news source and a commentator on the wine industry to assess all the facts and then offer your informed opinion. In this case anything short of that could damage the reputation of the wine farm.
May 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
tough crowd but all points on accurate journalism taken - and i agree, some sensationalist journalism at its best.
i must stress here that i believe (and stated that) delheim were being wrongly accused:
“i think they are being unfairly singled out for merely trying to curb the abuse of human settlement in the housing they provide on the estate.”
my loose reference to the dop system was flawed but my main aim was to draw attention to alcohol abuse in the area - which i believe is still a big problem.
again - this is only my opinion - but i believe that amazing projects liek the following exist for a reason:
http://www.pebblesproject.co.za/whois.html
May 26th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I want to work at namaquawines
May 26th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
tittle