Hi Paul,
As promised herewith our answers to your questions:
Why and when did you decide to go to South-Africa?
As from the beginning of our relationship (1987) we felt that our home was not in The Netherlands. Although we had a great and warm circle of friends and family, this feeling was always lingering in our minds. In 2002 we made our move. The company I worked for was sold to another company and I got a nice financial package which we invested in Groot Parys, a historic wine estate in Paarl, South Africa.
How does it go with the business?
It’s tough Paul. There is lots of wine in the world, so how to differentiate is the question to answer. We have chosen to be as natural as possible, as well on the farming side as the wine making side of the business. Next to this we have an excellent distributor in as both The Netherlands as in Belgium. The guy in Holland (Udo Goëbel, the owner of www.WineMatters.nl)for example is very well known and respected in The Netherlands and that helps enormously in selling our wines!
Do you notice much about apartheid?
The days of Apartheid are over. Since 1994 South Africa is a democracy. Pretty much the same as in The Netherlands, except of course for the Queen. Race however is still sometimes an issue. However, especially amongst the younger generation and students in particular, it becomes pretty normal to intermix with one another.
Do you notice much about rich and poor people?
That’s a good question Paul. This is THE big issue in South Africa. Political freedom doesn’t matter if you don’t have work and as a result money. One out of two youngsters don’t have work!! And when you don’t have work you don’t have an income in South Africa. If you then don’t have family with some money and a house, it’s tough. I will send you a picture. A picture sometimes says more than 1000 words. The picture is taken in Paarl very close to our farm and shows how some people need to live.
Where do your kids go to school?
One of the reasons we chose for Paarl is there are excellent schools. Our childeren went to Bridge House School, one of the top independant schools in South Africa. Now tour oldest daughter, Maud, is studying International Business in Maastricht and the youngest, Maartje, at Stenden in Port Alfred (Hospitality Management), South Africa.
Can you tell 2 positive and 2 negative things about living and working in Africa?
Positive:
* It’s exciting, it’s new. You can do things which are not that easy in The Netherlands.
* By living here you get to know a different perspective on life. People here are looking in a very different way towards the world than Dutch people.
Negative:
* What we liked and still like about Europe is that within a few hundert kilometers you can experience totally different (urban) vibes.
* To see, on a daily base, poverty and (except by employing people and showing respect to all people) not be able to change that.
Succes with your project!
Kind regards,
Eric and Mariëtte.
