Voyager Estate was very honoured to host recent University of Stellenbosch graduate Ntando Buthelezi, the recipient of the inaugural Dombeya Scholarship. The Dombeya Scholarship provides an opportunity for an outstanding graduate winemaker from South Africa to work and study overseas. Its goal is to identify future wine industry leaders from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Ntando is originally from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, and her first language is Zulu, but she is also fluent in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.

Ntando’s winemaking knowledge and enthusiasm for her chosen career impressed all those who worked alongside her. She joined the Voyager Estate winery crew in February during the early part of this year’s vintage and stayed with us for six weeks. “Ntando showed great passion for winemaking and such an eagerness to learn, it was a pleasure to have her on the team,” said Winemaker, Travis Lemm.

Modern technology allowed Ntando to share her stories in her blog on the Dombeya Wines website and her blogs prompted discussion online about the different winemaking and viticultural practices and issues between the two countries: “…(Here in Australia) South Africans are blamed every day for bringing that silly garden weevil which spoils their beautiful wines,” Ntando explained. “I, on the other hand, have to make myself feel better about all the guilt they bestow on me. I reply with the very wise words from Wikus Pretorious (Dombeya’s Assistant Winemaker/Viticulturist): ‘Remember the cricket!’ Ouch, no worries mate!”

Just as Ntando endeared herself to Voyager Estate, both Dombeya and Voyager Estate endeared themselves to her: “With such an experience at Voyager Estate the Dombeya Scholarship is definitely achieving its goal in educating recent graduates with little or no experience in winemaking. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to have come to learn. I feel so blessed to have spent my time here!”

More than just a winemaker, Ntando embraced every opportunity that came her way. Her host family saw to it that she had the chance to get involved in the community, including helping with Arts Margaret River and Rotary activities. She revelled in the well-rounded experience.