Portfolio Company Announcement

During Cape Wine Accolade Wines will be marking a significant event at Kayamandi Pre-Primary School, near Stellenbosch – the formal opening of new classrooms the company has funded, as the latest venture in over a decade of support for the township’s schools.

The ceremony, on Wednesday, August 16, celebrated the addition of four new classrooms, two store rooms and a number of toilets, made possible by the R2 million (AU$200,000/GBP£100,000) investment from the company as part of their 2014/2015 Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project.

Kayamandi, a community of approximately 50,000 people, is subject to extreme poverty and challenging socio-economic conditions. As many of the community work, or are involved, in the wine industry, it was fitting that Accolade Wines chose to assist with upgrading the community’s pre-primary school.

James Reid, Accolade Wines General Manager for Bulk Sourcing and South African Operations, said the early learning stage of a child’s development is known to be an integral period for education and setting the foundation of learning for life.

“The new pre-primary school facilities that Accolade helped fund enable township children of between five and six years of age start their education prior to entering the official school system at seven.

“Accolade Wines, together with the tireless efforts of those in the community, can now ensure that these young students have a safe and pleasant place to study.” Mr Reid said.

The upgrades to the pre-primary school have not only provided young community members with the basics prior to their entry into primary school, but also provided Kayamandi residents with additional employment opportunities helping build the facilities.

Accolade Wines has been involved with various school projects in Kayamandi since 2003, actively supporting the community and investing over R6 million in the local pre-primary school to date. Contributions have included the construction and furnishing of new school buildings and financial assistance enabling additional teachers and cleaners to be hired.

“As part of our continued involvement with Kayamandi Pre-Primary, our latest investment represents the next step in assisting our local community – and is by no means the end of our planned involvement in the winelands.” Mr Reid concluded.