The UCT GSB has announced that the wine business specialisation in the honours-level Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice will also be offered as a standalone, certificated and credit-bearing short course commencing on 9th May 2016. Suitably qualified delegates can now follow the short course and, if successful, will qualify to complete the remaining modules leading to the Diploma.

There is a growing imperative for South African wine professionals to become more business savvy, says programme convenor Jonathan Steyn. “South African wine is at the most exciting point in its history. There are opportunities opening up as the industry transforms and our reputation is on the up. But we need the specialised talent and skills to make sure that we capitalise on these positives.”

The customised programme, delivered by academics, practitioners and policy makers, will equip delegates – from across the wine value chain – with specialised business acumen including: formulation of innovative wine business plans; crafting strategic wine marketing imperatives in emerging markets; adaptable understanding of the regulatory and international trade environments affecting wine businesses; competency in sensory evaluation and forensic analysis of wine; and holistic comprehension of strategic challenges facing the wine industry.

In their commitment to support transformation in the wine industry, the GSB and the VinPro Foundation have announced that five bursaries will be made available to cover the cost of the wine business management short course. Targeted at previously disadvantaged people working in the wine industry or associated industries, the bursaries will enable those who want to advance their careers to study the Wine Business Management programme at the GSB.

According to 2015 South African Wine Industry Insights Survey, compiled by Price Waterhouse Coopers, 81% of participating cellars planned to maintain their focus on promoting workplace diversity in the 12 months following the survey.

VinPro’s Transformation and Development Manager Philip Bowes says: “Bursaries help to build networks and capacity and also to focus resources in areas that need talented people working on solutions to questions of sustainability in future.”
Bowes says that bursaries also assist social vertical mobility and management succession, which are both areas of focus for transformation.