The representative body for the local wine sector, South Africa Wine, has announced that it has been awarded a Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry Innovation Award. This award comes just two years after the creation of South Africa Wine (which represents wine producers, cellars and exporters, as well as other stakeholders) and is in recognition of its success in developing digital-first learning and development pathways for the complete wine value chain.

“This award confirms that South Africa Wine is not just responding to industry needs, we’re anticipating them,” asserted South Africa Wine CEO Rico Basson. “Investing in digital learning platforms and structured career pathways means we’re helping wine businesses stay competitive and future-fit. This innovation matters because it’s not just about technology, it’s about people, growth and inclusive development.”

The organisation has developed and deployed a free-to-use Learning Management System (LMS), which offers more than 590 online learning programmes across the entire wine value chain. The programmes rangedfrom export marketing to technical vineyard skills to compliance training. Currently, 2 600 people are using it – a year ago, that number had been just under 2 000. The LMS has completely transformed professional development in the sector and has allowed the number of supported learners to be more than doubled, to more than 675 over the past year.

“It has reduced training costs dramatically by removing logistical barriers like travel and venue hire and enabled over 200 businesses to improve [human resources] development, compliance, and leadership skills while empowering a diverse group of learners, including women, youth and farmworkers in remote regions,” reported South Africa Wine people and skills development manager Kachné Ross. “We’re especially proud that over 40% of participants are women, and small producers now have access to world-class content without needing deep pockets or big-city access.”

The LMS was funded through a levy system. By using partnerships and industry levies strategically, the association had assisted wine sector companies to access national funding and achieve skills development targets, at cost levels far below those traditionally experienced.

“This award is not just a win for South Africa Wine, it’s a win for every member who has invested in inclusive development, training and growth,” affirmed Basson. “It gives wine businesses access to industry-funded learning platforms and support, helps navigate grants and compliance, national and international advocacy and a voice in shaping the future of the South African wine sector. Our job is to help businesses grow, and to make it easier for them to invest in their people.”