Projects
The Township Winery’s Schools’ Vineyards Project
Township schools are sited on land suitable for premium vine-growing. Most schools have the space available as the originally planned recreation facilities have proved too expensive to establish and maintain in this poverty stricken environment. This land around the school is empty and bare, available for community-beneficial projects that are suited to the site.
The three schools committed to the first phase of the Schools’ Vineyards project are located in areas that offer opportunities for prime premium wine grape production, the most economically important industry in the entire region. The schools are within 5km of False Bay, offering maritime influenced growing conditions – a cool, moist south west afternoon wind in summer, cold winter and cool summer nights with minimal diurnal ranges, neutral pH soils with low fertility and permanently available underground water from the Cape Aquifer. All of this is entirely suitable for certain grape varieties and a particular style of premium wine.
Urgent Need for action
Vineyards can bring revenue and provide practical assets to scientific and other education, but their establishment and maintenance require several years of unrewarding care to bring these rewards. And trouble is on the horizon.
The constant flow of immigration from elsewhere in Africa to the Cape Town vineyard district brings a growing threat to the integrity of each school. Some have already been lost by uncontrolled invasion. Those school communities saw no alternative. Without a plan, they put up no resistance and school yards and playgrounds have been overrun.
The time to act is now.
How you can help
There are many ways that you can help speed up the establishment process and contribute to its success. If you are a supplier of vineyard resources, a keen corporate or a public citizen with a passion for people and wine, get in touch with us today.
