Cheesery Worker to Partake in French Exchange Program

We are proud to announce that Cheesery Worker Thandisile Ndabambi will be participating in this year’s Western Cape Burgundy Cheese Exchange Program.

Developed in collaboration with the Centre de Formation Professionelle et de Promotion Agricole (Centre for Agricultural Training and Promotion – CFPPA) Beaune and the Conseil Regional Bourgogne (Burgundy Regional Council), the program aims to offer vocational training and social upliftment to farm workers with no formal qualification.

The project benefits primarily from the financial support of the Western Cape Government on the South African side and the Burgundy Regional Council and French Department of Foreign Affairs on the French side.

Not only is Burgundy the most important wine region in France and one of the most important in the world, it is also renowned for its quality cheese production.

The program offers young cheese makers the opportunity to undergo practical and theoretical training in the production of typical French-style cheese at two factories. This is followed by a marketing module, which focuses on the commercial aspects of the cheese industry. Delegates will also be exposed to the innovative uses of cheese. On their return they are to deliver presentations to their respective companies and their progress is monitored on a continued basis. It is envisaged that they will act as mentors for future cheese makers from previously disadvantaged communities.

We nominated 26-year-old Thandisile because of his ongoing hard work in the cheesery, and are sure that he will do us proud during his three weeks at the CFPPA in Macon Davayein, Burgundy.