I am blessed and grateful to have formidable women in my life. I recently made a list for a Women’s Day interview for RSG radio station and had a tough job keeping it short enough to fit into my few minutes of airtime. (Listen to the RSG talk show) In celebration of the South African Women’s Day on 9 August, I’d like to share it again.
Of course I would like to start with my wife, Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg. In the agricultural and wine industries, she is known as the owner of Franschhoek’s acclaimed
La Motte Wine Estate and those in the art world would remember her as one of our countries leading mezzo-sopranos. But if I have to pick one of her many qualities I really admire, it would be her sensibility. In Afrikaans, the word I used was “oordeelkundig”, so perhaps it could also be her prudence, but she has the ability to carefully consider options using her experience and the informed opinions of others, rather than going off on a whim. It might take a little bit longer, but she is meticulous and rarely makes the wrong decision!
I am so grateful to have my mom, Anneline Koegelenberg, living close by and being a part of our daily lives. She is energetic, enthusiastic and loves to cook and care for everyone who walks through her door. We even published a cookbook with our favourite of mom’s recipes! Her most standout characteristic, however, is that she is so unselfish, always allowing others the spotlight. What pure love!
My late mother-in-law was also an exceptional inspiration. Huberte Rupert was not only passionate, so also made things happen. She loved art, but didn’t just acquire works for her own collection, she used her passion to support and uplift the South African world of art through the Rupert Art and Music Foundations and with the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch, she made art accessible to everyone.
Women in Wine
Of course there are many inspiring women in wine too. The days of having women only in marketing, sales and admin are long gone and you can find women in wine – from the boardroom to the cellar to the vineyard.
One woman who really deserves a mention is Madame May-Éliane de Lencquesaing of Glenelly Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. She was born around 1925 and celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year. She served as a member of the South African branch of the Commanderie de Bordeaux with Hanneli and me and it was such a privilege to get to know her. She is originally from Bordeaux in France where she was the owner and managing director of Pauillac winery Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande for more than 30 years. Regarded as the Ambassador of Bordeaux, she was the 1994 Decanter Magazine Woman of the Year and the president of the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
In 2003, at the age of 78, she purchased the Stellenbosch wine estate, Glenelly. Who has the energy to tackle such a big project at that age? I thought she would be like me – someone who is a little impatient and always looking for new opportunities, but she has a unique perspective. She says she doesn’t mind being patient. “There’s always a miracle coming”.
Another woman in wine that inspires wherever she goes, is one of South Africa’s best-known viticulturalists. Rosa Kruger has been responsible for a renaissance in the South African wine industry when it comes to protecting the value of old vineyards. She has been recorded in the Decanter Hall of Fame for her Old Vine Project that discovers and develops unprofitable vineyards of older than 35 years, turning them into the source of sought-after wines. Her knowledge and passion for the vine is unmatched and she makes an invaluable contribution to SA wine.
Women in Tourism
In the Franschhoek Valley where we work and live, tourism is an essential industry. Acclaimed for its exceptional quality, we have won many international awards and one of the highlights was being appointed as one of TIME’s “World’s Greatest Places” in 2022. Tourism in our Valley creates jobs and opportunities and it serves as an exceptional platform to promote our country to the international community. Over the years, there were a few women in Franschhoek that paved the way for our town to be a proud player in the global tourism industry. Women from various backgrounds and industries such as Susan Huxter, Linda Coltart, Margot Janse, Hetta van Deventer-Terblanche, the late Jenny Prinsloo and the current CEO of Franschhoek Tourism, Ruth McCourt.
Women in Business
There are many women who has been exceptionally successful in business, but we know that women entrepreneurs must often work extra hard to position themselves within the ruthless environment. I’ve got to known Wendy Luhabe when I helped her to make her own wine, and ever since she has been a major inspiration for the way she not only excels but also enables.
Wendy shines the light for women when it comes to playing a part in the international corporate world. She stands tall, but she also uses her knowledge and influence to invest in and empower local women. Her company Bridging the Gap prepares young, black South African woman for the corporate world since 1991 already, while her Women Investment Holdings encourage women to participate in the local economy. She also founded a stock fund of R120 million to provide capital to South African women who want to start their own businesses. No wonder that she was acknowledged as one of the World’s 50 Best Women Entrepreneurs in 1999 as well as the one of Forbes’ 50 most powerful women in Africa in 2020.
While some women are leaders, entrepreneurs and trendsetters who serve as an example and encouragement, there are also many others who are indispensable because they support and encourage from the side. At work and at home, I am surrounded by caring and capable women without whom I would have had a much more difficult time enjoying my life and without whose support I wouldn’t have been able to live my dreams.
Another radio show shared that women can still earn up to 35% less than their male counterparts and that they are often still left with the majority of household and child-raising duties. Although their emotional intelligence and ability to multitask make them great workers, they are often still overlooked for management positions. I think women are heroes. Whether they choose to raise their kids, become the CEO or do both. They have exceptional perseverance and can keep a multitude of balls in the air. They deserve to be celebrated, but they also deserve more consideration and support.
Even when unsung, you are still heroes. Happy Women’s Day!