Premier takes a slug at wine industry

"GREEDY" Cape wine-makers more dedicated to making fast money than to being concerned with the long-term reputation of South African wines, were slammed by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa on Sunday night at the official opening of the Hospitality & Tourism Industries Convention held at Caesars Gauteng. The convention is being held as part of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa's (FEDHASA) annual Congress taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre. "The wines pushed on to the international market post-1994 were not some of our best wines, with the result that people overseas are now very loath to rate SA's excellent wines as anything but good." His comment was one negative in an otherwise uplifting speech that recognised and challenged industry on the very important role it had to play in the economic empowerment of impoverished communities. He also advised giving priority to initiatives that encouraged domestic tourism, which "in most countries, formed a large percentage of tourism". "All South Africans need to enjoy and appreciate fully the benefits of our tourism resources. If our local people can see and know what attractions SA has to offer then they are more likely to speak about what we have to visitors they meet." This, he added, would assure community participation and create a much-needed sense of destination ownership. He added, however, that it was important to establish a balance between the weight given between foreign and domestic tourism. (Elizabeth Sheridan)