Thandi Fairtrade Partnership Brings First Fairtrade Grapes From South Africa To The UK

Joint release by Fairtrade Foundation and Capespan Foundation

*** Launch at South African High Commission, Trafalgar Square, 6pm 19 November***

The Thandi Initiative in South Africa has taken another major step in its support for the country’s land transformation programme by bringing the first Fairtrade grapes from empowerment farms to retailers in the United Kingdom.

Former President Nelson Mandela has welcomed the Thandi initiative, describing it a visionary, inspirational move which contributes to South Africa’s development, giving ownership to black people and helping to alleviate poverty. This message of support will be read out at the launch of the grapes from the Thandi Fairtrade partnership at a reception at the South Africa High Commission, 6pm-8.30pm Wednesday, 19 November.

The seedless grapes will be sold with the FAIRTRADE Mark, the only international independent guarantee that producers have received a fair price, and will appear on the shelves of UK retailers within the next few weeks. The seedless grapes follow the arrival of the first ever Fairtrade apples, oranges and lemons from Thandi in August 2003.

The grapes are from the vineyards of Keboes Farms in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape province. More than 300 workers are now shareholders in the farm and a committee will decide how to use the Fairtrade premium which is for social development projects. Keboes Farms is one of five fruit farming projects in South Africa which are members of the Thandi Initiative and which have been certified by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation, the international body of which the Fairtrade Foundation is the UK member.

The message from Mandela appeals to the retail trade in the UK to support the Thandi initiative. “Support for Thandi will help create a whole new generation of proud and committed fruit entrepreneurs, which will ensure that retailers and consumers have access to the finest fruit in the world”, he says.

The Thandi Initiative was started last year by the Capespan Foundation as part of its effort to support the South African government’s land transformation programme by encouraging joint ownership and empowerment through capacity building in South Africa’s fruit industry.

“It is our aim to create world class black fruit growers,” says Nazeem Sterras, Chief Executive of the Capespan Foundation. The Foundation is supported by the Capespan Group, South Africa’s largest fruit exporter, who is making its international marketing and distribution infra-structure available to market Thandi fruit and to provide technical and other assistance.

“It is exciting to hear about the first meetings of the workers’ joint committees on the Thandi farms deciding how to use the Fairtrade premium,” says Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation. “They are planning to bring water to their village communities, and setting up brick building businesses to build health centres – a double benefit in providing health care and work in areas of high unemployment. We are sure that British shoppers will be keen to buy the Fairtrade grapes – one of many Fairtrade foods which will soon be available from South Africa.”

Support for the Thandi Initiative has been received by the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) through the Business Linkages Challenge Fund (BLCF)*, as well as the South African Department of Trade and Industry and the South African High Commission in London.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development, is due tol speak at the launch at the South African High Commission after the South African High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms. Lindiwe Mabuza.

Asked about the Thandi Initiative, Mr Benn said: “Economic growth is key to poverty reduction. That is why we need to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit of developing countries and find ways of generating jobs and income and improving market access for producers. The Thandi development project is a prime example of business working directly with employees to do just this, and helps deal with the issue of distribution of agricultural land”.

Piet Karsten, Managing Director of the Karsten Group which co-owns Keboes Farms along with the shareholder workers and the para-statal Industrial Development Corporation, says the farm has met all his expectations. “We have created a unique model that could be used in other parts of the world. Table grape production is located in some of the world’s remote poverty stricken regions and our group look forward to use our knowledge and expertise at similar projects that could create ownership opportunities for workers in other parts of the world.”

The grapes with the FAIRTRADE Mark are expected to be stocked in most major supermarkets.

Photographs of the grape harvest at Keboes Farms available

* The BLCF is a cost sharing grants programme which supports private sector led initiatives that increase employment opportunities and access to markets for the poor.

For photos, more information or to arrange an interview:

Eileen Maybin/Abi Murray
Fairtrade Foundation
020 7405 5942
020 7440 7686 - direct line
07770 957451- mobile
eileen.maybin@fairtrade.org.uk
abi.murray@fairtrade.org.uk

Fred Meintjes
on behalf of Capespan Foundation
00 27 21 7128817 - telephone
00 27 82 901 1399 - fax
wordfact@iafrica.com

Department for International Development Press office can be contacted on 020 7023 0600/07771 975707