Page 24 - Landscape129

FEATURE

PROTEAS AT VERGELEGEN WINE ESTATE

The unexpected sighting of the Empress Protea, with its large, bright pink blooms,
has led to a fundraising initiative at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West.

Income from sales of these magnificent proteas is helping to support a non-profit
organisation that is changing lives in nearby Sir Lowry’s Pass village.

esidents of this poor community, about 60km from Cape
Town, struggle with many issues such as lack of education,
Rhigh unemployment and inadequate housing and sanitation.
Drug and alcohol abuse, gang membership, crime and teenage
pregnancies are common.
Fortunately, a non-profit organisation named Village Collaboration
(VC) has had a positive impact, and the flower-selling collaboration
with Vergelegen will boost its efforts further.
Most of the Empress protea blooms are exported, but are now
being sold to raise funds for the VC. The protea farm is situated near
Riversdale, between Cape Town and George.
Vergelegen is pleased to assist well-run initiatives to help Sir
Lowry’s Pass village, as there is a clear need for more community
resources. Many estate staff live in the village or have connections
with its residents. Also, during the Covid-19 lockdown, Vergelegen’s
chefs provided 100 meals daily for needy communities, including Sir
Lowry’s Pass village.
Residents of Wedderwill, a country estate bordering Vergelegen,
have supported child nutrition projects in Sir Lowry’s Pass village
for 12 years through the Wedderwill Charitable Trust. The Covid-19
pandemic increased the need for assistance, so supporters
expanded their initiatives through the VC. During lockdown the VC,
in collaboration with many other charitable organisations, provided
meals for up to 3000 people daily, delivering them to elderly residents
in their homes. Currently, five soup kitchens feed 600-700 people a
day and deliver hot meals to 25 elderly residents. Two play schools
offer an inspiring place for children, plus a daily meal.
To date, 24 adults have received three months of professional Sinesipho Makeleni, a waitress at the Nguni Café, with the Empress
training in frail care by Procare Training Academy. This initiative is proteas
another collaboration hosted by VC, sponsored by SOS Africa.
VC also partners with the Youth Employment Service, a
collaborative effort between government, business and labour.
Some 140 young people in Sir Lowry’s Pass village have received life-
changing training and internships to date. Youth who had limited
exposure to workplace requirements have had their lives changed
completely since they took part in work training programmes.
Vergelegen sells the Empress and other proteas at its Stables family
restaurant and pop-up Nguni Café, with all proceeds going to VC. n
Information supplied by Meropa Communications on behalf of
Vergelegen Wine Estate. Photos by Vergelegen and Judy Bryant, Meropa
Communications. Nguni Café, where the Empress proteas are for sale. All proceeds go
to the Village Collaboration, a non-profit organisation.

Empress proteas

22 Landscape SA • Issue 129 2023