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The inspiration that is Keboes Farms
[Article taken from Capespan COURIER – December 2003]
A visit to Keboes Farms in the desolate desert-like region of the Northern Cape is an uplifting experience. The people who live and work here have created a model table grape farm where sound business programmes, management and production techniques are combined to produce some to the finest grapes in the world.
They have also created a happy environment in which all permanent employees share in the responsibilities and rewards of ownership. As they wait to harvest their new season crop, there is vibrancy and urgency in everything they do. They are proud of what they have created and enthusiastically welcome you into their world and share their excitement.
The Raap en Skraap vineyards of Keboes Farms are located far from South Africa’s main centres. By road, from Cape Town, you travel along the N-7 highway towards Namibia. You turn off at Springbok and head eastwards to Pofadder, the down towards the mighty Orange River, which forms the border with Namibia. A little more than then years ago there were no vineyards in this region, with only small flocks of sheep roaming between the stark-looking rocky outcrops that dominate the landscape.
Now you find people such as Sammy Maasdorp, one of the production managers, who is responsible for the management of 16 hectares of grapes in lush, green vineyards which forms a strong contrast with the surroundings. Altogether Raap en Skraap has 270 hectares planted under seedless grapes and a further 130 hectares will be planted during the next few years. Sammy’s parents have both been involved with Karsten Farms for many years and he moved to Raap en Skraap three years ago. “The fact that we are co-owners inspires us all en we know that everyone’s contribution is important to be successful,” he says.
Karsten Farms is a 50% shareholder in Keboes Farms and has a management contract for the first eight years of the partnership venture, to supply services such as finance, human resources, production and marketing. The rest of the shares are held by a workers trust, BMFI, which is a black empowerment partner, and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
Richar Mhlonto, a director of the Karsten Group, who is also responsible for the implementation of the shareholding scheme in Keboes Farms, says some 300 permanent workers of the whole group are involved.
Raap en Kraap has a balanced variety spread, ranging from the early varieties, such as Prime Seedless, Flame Seedless and Sugraone, to the flagship of the area, Thompson Seedless. Some of the newer varieties such as Regal Seedless and Crimson Seedless are also produced. The first grapes harvested this season were Prime Seedless, which were air freighted to London in time for the THANDI™ Fairtrade grape launch in the middle of November.
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