Kwa-Thema – Wine enthusiast and curator Vusi Gold is on a mission to grow wine culture in Kwa-Thema by creating educational experiences and changing perceptions about the industry.

The 35-year-old hosts curated wine experiences in the township and hopes to expose residents to opportunities in the industry while creating a space where people can learn about and appreciate wine.

Although he was born in QwaQwa in the Free State, Gold moved to Gauteng in 2001. His passion for wine deepened after attending an art exhibition in Parkwood.

“My ultimate passion for wine developed when I first visited an art gallery. Seeing how attendees gravitated towards wine and art left a lasting impression. I was already drinking wine, but that environment opened my eyes to a different world,” he said.

Gold believes wine is often associated with wealth and exclusivity because of the etiquette and technical knowledge surrounding it.

“There is jargon and there are rules about how wine should be served and enjoyed and that makes it feel gatekept.

“I wanted to bring those same experiences to the township but with our own vibe, our own food, music and a more relatable atmosphere,” he explained.

What began as wine parties has evolved into curated experiences where guests not only taste wine but also learn from industry experts.

He hopes Kwa-Thema will become known for its wine culture and eventually host one of the biggest annual wine festivals in Ekurhuleni.

“I also want people to learn about wine even though the winelands are far away and inspire young people to work in the industry,” he said.

As the only township representative invited to a recent Wine Talk, Gold called on wineries to invest in township-based wine experiences that support both communities and the industry.

“We sip so much wine from these wineries. They need to support the experiences we are creating because our communities contribute significantly to the industry,” he said.

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He said the wine industry offers careers beyond hospitality, including viticulture, wine production, marketing, sales, consulting, journalism and wine judging.

“The industry contributes over R50b to South Africa’s economy and supports thousands of jobs. More people need to know that these opportunities exist,” he said.

Although securing funding and suitable venues remains a challenge, Gold said the positive response from guests continues to motivate him.

One of his most memorable events was hosting a Krone tasting experience with the brand’s national ambassador.

“It was amazing to see guests realise how much work goes into making the wine. That’s what I mean by entertaining education. People leave with knowledge as well as a great experience,” he said.

Gold hopes his work will inspire more young people to explore the wine industry, not only as consumers but also as future professionals.

“I want people to realise there is so much more to the wine industry. The more we learn, the more opportunities we can create for ourselves and our communities,” he said.