Pinotage Unfiltered 2001, L'Avenir Pinotage 2001, Lord Neethling Pinotage 1999 van Neethlingshof, Middelvlei Pinotage 2000 en Vlottenburg Pinotage 2001.

Die Tukulu Pinotage 2001 is vanjaar die bemagtigingswynplaas by Groenekloof naby Darling se derde agtereenvolgende Top 10 toekenning as een van Suid-Afrika se beste Pinotage wyne.

Altesaam 83 wyne ('n groei van 73% sedert die eerste kompetisie in 1997) is vir die 2002 Absa Top 10 Pinotage Kompetisie ingeskryf en die top tien wyne is uit 20 finalis-wyne gekeur.

Die wyne kom van 21 produksiegebiede, terwyl 22 handelsmerke vir die eerste keer ingeskryf is.

Die beoordelaars was Kaapse Wynmeester Duimpie Bayly (sameroeper), Hoffie Hofmann, Mike Louw, dr Cornel Spies (Kaapse Wynmeester), prof Joël van Wyk, Schalk du Toit en Andries Blake.

Volgens Duimpie Bayly het beide die volswaar, komplekse styl met intensiewe houtveroudering en die vruggedrewe styl met geure van neut, pruim en piesang, hoë gradering van die beoordelaars ontvang.

"Die stylverskille toon dat wynmakers hulle nie laat voorskryf nie en elkeen die styl volg wat die beste resultate gee vir die spesifieke terrein waar die druiwe verbou word," sê Duimpie.

Spesiale verpakkings van die 2002 Absa Top 10 Pinotage wyne is te koop by die Wyn-van-Maand Klub by tel 657-8100 wineclub@wineofthemonth.co.za.

THE final restructuring proposal of KWV which was agreed upon last week with the Group of Five shareholders, was discussed during a heated AGM of the the co-operative members of KWV in Paarl yesterday.

Although co-operative members will only be able to vote on the proposal at a special meeting on 3 December after the AGM of the KWV Group on 27 November, the packed hall of the Toringkerk was split between supporters and opponents of the proposal.

At yesterday's meeting chairman Lourens Jonker explained that the KWV Group's board of directors and the group of five minority shareholders had agreed that the division of KWV into a company and a co-operative was the best option for shareholders and the wine industry.

To retain the status quo (as proposed by some members) would be to the disadvantage of producers, as the future of Vinpro's consultative services could not be guaranteed if shareholders felt their interests were not served by this additional expense.

The new proposal for restructuring is basically the same as those announced by KWV at the beginning of October, but differences have been bridged by adjusting the price, said Jonker.

The restructuring means that members of the KWV Co-operative will be asked to surrender control of KWV's commercial arm by transforming the 1,6 billion voting shares, which do not have any investment value, into an interest of 10% (not 15% as originally proposed) of the issued share capital of the independent KWV Ltd, which will be owned by Wijngaard Co-operative.

"What is the price of relinquishing control? Ten percent of the shares are equal to 15% ten months ago, considering the increase in their value since then."

This means that KWV Ltd shareholders who currently own the 390 million value bearing (A) shares, will have complete control over KWV Ltd. KWV Ltd will then be in a position to refocus and pursue unfettered commercial interests in the competitive market.

KWV Ltd will have an option to purchase Wijngaard's shares should the co-operative decide to sell or alienate these shares in any other fashion.

"We also agreed that the 10% interest should not be seen as a fixed quota for representation on the board of directors," said Jonker.

Ten directors will be appointed by shareholders on 27 November. There are 17 nominees, but further nominations can be made at the AGM.

"The effect of these steps is that the A shareholders benefit through less dilution of their shareholding, but that young and future farmers will still, through Wijngaard Co-operative, have an interest in KWV," said Jonker.

In addition, KWV Ltd will buy from Wijngaard services to a value of R8 million per year for a guaranteed period of five years, as previously proposed.

This will include services regarding technology and analysed industry information.

The Wijngaard board will be elected from nine regions plus one co-opted member aimed at empowerment of new farmers.

Members of Wijngaard wil pay a membership and administration fee and voting rights will vary according to tons produced.

Wijngaard will also play an important role in protecting KWV'S most important asset, namely its liquid stock, with a mechanism preventing asset stripping for four years.

The meeting continued for more than three hours, with a number of proposals for and against the method of restructuring made from the floor.

Finally, a majority of members voted in support of the proposed restructuring, although a considerable number voted against it, on the grounds that the co-operative should hold more than the 10% of the shares.

THE Paarl "town" farms must not be developed, as they make an important contribution to the character of the town, but their conservation will not come cheap as farmers will have to be compensated for their loss of development rights, according to the draft Paarl Farms Land Use Policy Study commissioned by the provincial administration and Drakenstein Municipality.

According to the consultant, MCA Planners, retention of the farms will only be possible at a price and the Drakenstein community now has to decide what value they place on these farms.

Strong incentives for farming will be required to counter the pressure for development and the success of the proposed policy will to a large extent depend on the willingness of Council to reach binding agreements with farmers that will place them on an equal footing with farmers outside the town.

Farmers are faced by tremendous economic constraints and will have to be assisted in converting to more lucrative wine grapes or other crops to make their farms viable.

Recommendations in the document include:

* Council should offer to purchase the development rights of the farms currently zoned as single residential, based on the difference between the value of the land and the price a developer would pay for the land. In order to finance such payments, Council-owned and provincial land could be sold for development.

* The Council should launch an economic development strategy to assist farmers in making capital improvements to their farms, as well as a targeted tourism strategy aimed at encouraging agricultural tourism.

* Farms should be taxed at the same rate as farms outside the town, electricity should be provided at the lowest possible cost, irrigation water should be available at cost and access should be guaranteed.

* Farmers must have the right to use tractors and spray crops as necessary and Council must co-operate in the control of pests such as fruit flies.

* Farmers may also need funding to ensure the conservation of heritage resources on their farms and should also be encouraged to augment their income with auxiliary uses such as guesthouses and boutique wineries.

* The issue of accommodation of farmworkers should also be addressed, possibly at alternative locations in the urban area. Council must undertake to assist farmers with this process.

* The farms must be proclaimed a special area in terms of the zoning scheme to preserve the integrity of the cultural landscape as a heritage resource in its own right, with conservation guidelines as part of an effective local conservation management system.

* A complete growth management plan must be drawn up as a matter of urgency to promote densification and contain urban sprawl.

* An urban edge must be defined for a set period of ten to fifteen years to prevent valuable agricultural land on the fringe of the town from being developed.

The plan must clearly indicate where the pressure for development in Paarl could be absorbed (which could also lead to reconsideration of the "town" farm policy).

Farmers who do not accept the Council's offer of compensation and wish to develop their land will be entitled to do so, but will be faced by an onerous process of which the outcome is uncertain, as it would be in contravention of council policy.

Such land application would have to meet with the requirements of the Heritage Resources Act as well as the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act and the Environment Conservation Act. A heritage impact assessment and environmental impact assessment could be required for each application.

Should the policy not be accepted, the Council would have to deal with the situation on an ad hoc basis again which is likely to lead to wholesale development of the farms over time, according to the study.

Other options are to allow limited residential development adjacent to existing urban areas, or allow limited residential development of a rural nature for the high income market.

Comments on the draft policy must reach the Municipality by 8 November. The document is available for viewing at the municipal planning department in Paarl (room 301) and on the website www.mcaplan.co.za.

For enquiries, contact Bisschof Bosman on 807-4834 or Lize Malan of MCA Planners on 685-1150 or mcaplan@gem.co.za.

THE popular Bien Donné Agricultural Expo celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. This is a remarkable achievement as the event was presented annually without interruption.

The event was initially organised for the fruit industry, later for both the fruit and wine industry and is now open for all agricultural industries in the Western Cape. More than 200 companies exhibited their products and services in 2001.

The Bien Donné Expo will take place over three days, including a Saturday, from 7 to 9 November.

The organisers expect more than 7000 visitors during these three days. Visitors can expect to see the latest agricultural implements, equipment and services as well as a number of exhibition stands.

In the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij hall all the services offered by ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij are on show. Visitors have the chance to meet the researchers in person.

The Production Tent is a new addition. This carpeted marquee tent will host exhibitors who offer products/services to the agricultural industry.

Exhibits will include packaging, closures, barrels, labelling & packaging machinery, tank suppliers, marketing services, chemical suppliers, analytical equipment, computing, agricultural equipment and other affiliated products.

The Expo Tents offer Outdoor Adventure, health products and craft exhibitors. Visitors can expect to see clothing and footwear, 4x4's, caravans, trailers, crafts, outdoor furniture, camping equipment, tents, braai equipment, leisure items, gardening and affiliated products and services.

In the Main Tent talks on interesting subjects such as mushrooms, cheese, farm safety, camels, gardening and more will be held.

There will be several fast food and BBQ outlets as well as a tea garden on the expo grounds with plenty to eat, taste and drink.

The "Klipdrift Klip in die bos" entertainment area will offer a wide variety of alcoholic beverages and well-known artists like Blackie Swart (Liewe Lulu) and The Campbells (Rooi Rok Bokkie) and Christo & Cobus will perform here daily.

For the Kids: Parents are welcome to bring their kids and to make a family day out. There will be a kiddies corner where kids can play.

THE regularisation of shebeens is one of the proposals of the new integrated scheme for Drakenstein, if accepted by the municipal council.

The draft scheme has integrated the differing zoning scheme regulations for Paarl, Mbekweni, Wellington and the rural areas, ensuring one uniform and more flexible set of rules for all.

Currently, Mbekweni and Carterville are the only areas where the sale and on site consumption of liquor are allowed in residential areas.

According to the new scheme, informal liquor outlets (shebeens) are admissable in all single residential areas as a consent use, if applied for and approved by the council. Neighbours must also be consulted before approval is granted.

Owners of the many informal liquor outlets in Paarl East expressed satisfaction that the scheme "at last recognises us as legitimate businesses".

According to planners, control of shebeens will be easier if they are formally recognised. They will also have to obtain a liquor licence and comply with the requirements of the Liquor Board concerning hours, noise levels and other regulations.

Shebeens are not listed under consent uses in high density areas such as blocks of flats, and will remain illegal in such areas.

Neighbourhoods which are opposed to the shebeens can also apply for a blanket ban in the form of an overlay zoning with stricter regulations.

Other uses now possible in single residential areas with municipal consent include home shops, day care, educational care, entertainment centres and places of worship.

Single residential zoning now also allows for duet dwellings, additional dwellings and nurseries.

Animals such as poultry may be kept on residential erven only through council's consent and in accordance with by-laws.

In the rural zones, new uses possible with consent include agrivillages, daycare centres and guesthouses. The draft regulation document and zoning plan is available for viewing at the municipal offices in Paarl, Wellington and Saron.

Comments can be sent to Henk Strijdom at Drakenstein Municipality, Box 12, Paarl 7620 or fax 807-8054 by 30 November. For enquiries, phone Henk Strijdom at 807-4830 or contact Urban Dynamics on 948-1588 (udwc@adept.co.za).

THE private sector partner in the Commonage development in Franschhoek, Frandevco, has embarked on a dedicated process of communication, which includes a house-to-house skills audit, and is guided by a committee of advisors appointed by the community.

This transparent approach was welcomed at a meeting of community representatives of Ward One held last week, which expressed the wish that the Fremco Trust and Stellenbosch Municipality (as Frandevco's partners) should follow suit.

The process is facilitated by local empowerment consultant Wilfred Moses.

The meeting supported the committee in its belief that a new leaf has been turned and encouraged Franschhoek's historically disadvantaged people to co-operate with the skills audit, designed to fill the estimated 4 400 new job opportunities to be created in the construction phase on the Commonage, and to identify business opportunities.

The community of Franschhoek has for a long time struggled with the legacy of apartheid, and the development challenges posed thereby.

At the meeting is was said that it was imperative that the poor of Franschhoek be decently housed, and that access be created for the previously disadvantaged to business opportunities and jobs, particularly in the tourism and agriculture sector.

The Franschhoek Empowerment and Development Initiative (FEDI at www.fedi.co.za) has been conceived to meet these aspirations. It has already contributed signifciantly to the settlement of land claims and has enabled the provision of low-cost housing at Mooiwater to commence.

However, it is a matter of record that concern has been felt in certain sectors of the Ward One community about the inclusiveness and transparency of the consultative process, which was addressed at last week's meeting.

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