Training Initiative Empowers SA Wine Industry To Lead On Ethical Trade And Human Rights

The importance of ethical leadership and human rights in business was at the centre of several capacity building sessions held in the South African wine industry in the month of July. The 2nd collaboration between the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA), Fairtrade Africa (FTA) and Stronger Together, aimed to capacitate farms, cellars and brands to be leaders of ethical trade.

Held in the regions of Robertson and Rawsonville the training over the two days saw 44 delegates in attendance (management, supervisors and workers), with WIETA’s Chirstone Hornsby highlighting the importance of ensuring business have the necessary tools to uphold human rights, ethical sourcing, and compliance management systems amid growing global demands. Key topics included: Business & Human Rights aligning with EU due diligence laws, meeting compliance and market requirements, effective empowerment grievance mechanisms, anti-retaliation policies, and the importance of social dialogue between management and workers.

Attendees praised the practical insights, highlighting improved safety, transparency, and collaboration. Partnering with Fairtrade Africa and Stronger Together, WIETA is driving systemic change—ensuring a competitive, ethical, and sustainable wine industry.

A key component of Human Rights Due Diligence is ensuring fair labour practices are implemented and adhered to within a business. Stronger Together, a business support initiative, provided valued insight to delegates on the role of responsible recruitment in mitigating labour risks as well as providing guidance on preventing the risk of labour exploitation. This included a focus on practical steps a business can take to safeguard their operations on critical labour areas including correct recruitment practices, no excessive overtime, wage payments and promoting good working conditions through ethical leadership. Stronger Together’s work in South Africa is supported by prominent national and international retailers, buyers and suppliers.

Fairtrade Africa’s DONUTS Wine Project played a pivotal role in the training by reinforcing the importance of ethical leadership and sustainable labour practices, promoting good labour relations at farm level. Through its commitment to decent work and human rights, the project supported supervisors and team leaders to improve their understanding around fair recruitment, improved social dialogue, and how responsible business conduct contributes to a resilient and competitive wine industry. The DONUTS initiative continues to empower stakeholders with practical tools to meet global compliance standards, while promoting transparency, equity, and dignity across the value chain.

Delegates in attendance also had an opportunity to provide feedback on the value of the collaborative training. 87% of businesses reported they had an increase understanding of the human right’s due diligence after the session and the practical steps they can take to ensure they promote decent work and fair labour practices.

One delegate noted “We were given practical tools that we can use every day to promote decent work and build a more sustainable future for our farm and the industry.” said Ruth Faro from Adama Wines. Another delegate noted “I learnt a lot about human rights that I didn’t know before as well as health and safety”.

Businesses in the wine industry who are interested in finding out more about these capacity building trainings or would like to participate can contact the organisations involved below.

Stronger Together – [email protected] / www.stronger2gether.org/za

WIETA – [email protected] [email protected]

www.wieta.org.za

Fairtrade Africa –[email protected]

https://fairtradeafrica.net/