South Africa

Denzel Swarts

Denzel is Sales and Brand Executive at Zoetendal Vineyard, Western Cape. Denzel comes from the 3rd generation of a family of vineyard workers, and his “childhood experiences of growing up on a farm during the challenging days of South African history” drove him to be “analytical about (the) post-apartheid development goals”. Due to a lack of funding, Denzel was unable to enter Agricultural School, and so instead in 2005 left the wine industry to pursue a career in social development, working for NGOs with a focus on programs aimed at the rural youth, with the aim of making them “active citizens of change and better leaders of communities”. In 2011, funding to the NGO Denzel worked with was reallocated, and following this he decided to return to a career in wine. Determined to progress as a Person of Colour in the wine industry, Denzel pursued education with gusto. Denzel’s determination and commitment paid dividends in 2014, when he became the first farm child to be promoted to a management position at Simonsig. Since then, Denzel has used this opportunity to help and guide other farm workers who, like him, wish to progress in their careers in the wine industry, becoming wine advisors and aiding disadvantaged students in getting access to wine roles on farms. In 2020, Denzel became the first university graduate in his family. Committed to helping others all through his life, Denzel has founded the SOS (Son Of the Soil) Foundation, which aims to equip “young people to become Active Citizens and Authentic Leaders”.