In honor of Women’s Day tomorrow, 9 Augist, we recognize our amazing cellar and lab assistant, Roelien Harolds under the guidance of Nadia Langenegger.

Waterkloof Estate is situated high against the slopes of the Schapenberg in Somerset West and is only four kilometres from the False Bay coast. Over the years, the estate has become well-known for its quality wines and the restaurant’s excellent cuisine. The Waterkloof’s cellar team regularly participates in the well-known Cellar Assistants’ Programme, and it has been noted for some time that the estate follows a positive approach regarding developing its employees’ knowledge and future leaders.

Management believes providing employees with as many opportunities as possible and spending time with them to ensure knowledge transfer occurs successfully is an investment. Waterkloof believes that when cellar assistants are well-informed about winemaking procedures, they will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in the cellar. Employees are encouraged to take responsibility in the cellar, and every team member is trained to take responsibility for a department. Nadia Langenegger, Waterkloof’s winemaker, believes that it is essential that future leaders should have an interest in wine and winemaking procedures. Future leaders must also be able to take initiative, and their responsibilities should be executed thoroughly.

Roelien Harolds, quality control officer of Waterkloof Estate, was raised in the Helderberg Basin.  After matriculating in 2006 from the Strand Secondary School, she was employed by several companies in the Helderberg. In 2009, she started as a temporary worker during the harvest at Waterkloof Estate. She became a permanent vineyard worker on the farm until 2014 when she was transferred to fill a position in the cellar.  According to Roelien, she had not considered a career in the cellar environment previously, but after her transfer to the cellar, she realized she was ready for new challenges and was excited to learn more about winemaking procedures.

Roelien has completed the Wine Training SA SKOP 3 – qualification and participated in the Burgundy Exchange Programme, which exposed her to harvest practices in France and increased her knowledge. She has regularly participated in the Cellar Assistants Programme’s senior workshops and information days.

According to Roelien, participating in the Cellar Assistants Programme has made her aware of the finer details of winemaking procedures and as a result, she enjoys sharing her acquired knowledge with her colleagues. Consequently, she has become more assertive and does not hesitate to report possible problems to her superiors.

Roelien believes that women employed in the cellar environment must be mentally strong, but they contribute positively as they are more inclined to pay attention to detail in their responsibilities. She confirmed that regular participation in the Cellar Assistants’ Program has developed these essential qualities in her. Cellar assistants are isolated in the environment in which they work. According to Roelien, participants in the Cellar Assistants’ Programme meet fellow cellar assistants, and as a result, their views are broadened, their knowledge is developed, and their confidence improves.

Roelien confirmed that the content of the senior workshops and information days programme is always informative, and she has a different perspective after attending one. The programme content increases the participants’ knowledge, positively affecting their approach to work commitments.

Nadia and Roelien work closely together, and according to Roelien, Nadia continuously encourages her to reach greater heights. The Strand community is very proud of her for what she has achieved over the past decade and is a pillar of support to her. According to Nadia, Roelien’s communication abilities and relationships with her colleagues are excellent. She is increasingly given more responsibilities and exposed to decision-making in the cellar. At the same time, regular participation in the Cellar Assistants Programme certainly plays a significant role in developing her leadership qualities.

Roelien believes a role model is an example to others and commands colleagues’ respect. Therefore, role models must be able to motivate and encourage other individuals so that they know they are capable of much more. She also believes that integrity and honesty are essential qualities of role models and may considerably impact an individual’s career choices. Despite the obstacles role models might experience, they inspire confidence in people to achieve their goals. They often display perseverance and tenacity, which means not giving up. It is the effort required to do something and the ability to keep doing it, even if it takes a long time and is complex.

Her message to colleagues in the wine industry is to show perseverance during difficult times because “life is going to give you a lot of stuff to put you under pressure” (“Die lewe gaan vir jou ‘n klomp goed gee wat jou onder druk sit”). Challenges in life are a given, but when challenges are approached with faith and perseverance, each person can reach greater heights and make a difference.

Santi Basson