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About Soweto Wine Festival |
It Starts with a Conversation
The idea of having a wine festival in Soweto was borne around
a braai in Pretoria in 2004 between neighbours Lyn Woodward
(an original member) and Mnikelo Mangciphu (co-founding active
member). The two were drinking wine out of Soweto Beer Festival glasses, and several glasses later, thought what a good idea
it would be to have a wine festival in Soweto.
It was also the right time to start introducing South Africa’s
quality wines to the remaining 80% of our population. Wine
should be a way of life for all South Africans. Eight years later,
the Soweto Wine Festival is the pride of Soweto and the wine event not to miss on the annual South African wine calendar. |
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Soweto Wine Festival Owners |
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Dedicated and Committed
Co-founding member of the Soweto
Wine Festival is Mnikelo Mangciphu who
is the owner/manager of the only wine shop in Soweto
– Morara Wine & Spirit Emporium, which he
launched after the first Soweto Wine Festival in 2005.
The other co-founding member of the festival is Marilyn
Cooper who is a Cape
Wine Master and is also the CEO of
the Cape
Wine Academy based in Johannesburg.
Mnikelo Mangciphu, one of the festivals' founding members
and owner of Soweto’s first wine specialist shop, Morara
Wine Emporium, says that this festival is dedicated
to encouraging, educating and growing black wine drinkers
in Mzansi. |
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Soweto Wine Festival History |
Timelines of Success
2005:
The inaugural festival was held over three days at Ubuntu
Kraal in Orlando West, was attended by 1500 members
of the public and was officially opened by the then Minister
of Agriculture Thoka Didiza. 82 wineries came to that first
festival, filled with great excitement; many had never been
into a township before.
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2006:
The festival moved to the present premises University
of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus, which has proved
to be a far more suitable and more accessible venue,
with larger safe parking. Over 3000 people attended
the Soweto Wine and Brandy Festival, and all had a great
time. |
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2007:
The festival showcased 94 different wineries
with over 800 labels to entice the 4225 visitors that
came through our doors. It was also the first year we
invited big brand sponsors to participate in the festival. |
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2008:
The festival grew to 105 exhibitors
with over 850 wines to taste and 4365 visitors to taste
them. The hall was packed to seams, to the point we
had to stop selling tickets early. This year we included
an ‘edutainment’ element
to the festival called the Pick n Pay Wine Class. |
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2009:
The festival featured 103 wineries exhibiting with over
800 wines and 5520 visitors attending. 2009 was so packed
that doors closed 2 hours after opening. We have learnt
our lesson - Sowetans LOVE South African Wine! |
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2010:
In the year that South Africa hosted the Soccer
World Cup, the Soweto Wine Festival welcomed
a sell-out audience of over 7,500 visitors
to the 3-night event. Despite increasing capacity with
the addition of a Platinum Wine Arena, organisers closed
doors early on Fridy and Saturday nights. |
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2011:
The 2011 TOPS Soweto Wine Festival attracted
a record 8550 people over the 3 evenings –
which is 1002 more people than the previous year! This
popular festival just keeps getting bigger and bigger. |
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