Female farmer takes neglected vineyard, makes it successful business
- Tebogo Ditsebe, a businesswoman and farmer, managed to turn a neglected vineyard into a thriving success
- Ditsebe now owns her own wine label, Botebo Wines
- The company's name symbolises the rich and deep soil of the Free State
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!
A couple of years ago, Tebogo Ditsebe was running a struggling consultancy training firm when a farmer offered to sell his farm in Jacobsdal, Free State, to her.
Ditsebe said she did not hesitate to take him up on his offer and she approached the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to help with funding.
The Sowetan reported Ditsebe spend two years in the Cape educating herself on everything in wine-making.
PAY ATTENTION: Do you want to know what's trending on Briefly.co.za? Join our WhatsApp group today.
Source: Facebook
READ ALSO: Domestic worker living in tent for 3 years gifted a new house
Ditsebe said although it was no easy task, she would not trade her current situation for anything.
“Although funding is a big hurdle for emerging farmers because of the huge financial capital needed, the experience has been exciting,” she explained.
Since buying the farm, Ditsebe has been running it on her own and she then established the Botebo Wine label - which produces rosé, sparkling, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chenin blanc wines.
Briefly.co.za gathered Ditsebe has three full-time employees working on her 48 hectare-farm and in pruning, harvesting and weeding seasons she offers 30 to 50 more people seasonal work.
The female farmer hopes to create more jobs in the future as her company grows and last year she was awarded R450 000 worth of implements after winning the Agro-Processing Funding Programme.
Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!
Source: Briefly News
