Simonsberg’s low-fat cream cheese was named Best of Class in its category at the 2008 World Championship Cheese Contest held recently in Wisconsin in the US.
The brand, owned by Parmalat, attained this accolade at the largest cheese-making contest in the world, which has been hosted by the Makers’ Association since 1957. This year there were over 2 000 entries from 19 countries across the world.
Parmalat’s marketing manager for cheese, butter and powder, Ryk Coetzee, said winning the prestigious award proves the exceptionally high standards and commitment of Simonsberg cheesemakers.
“Over the years Simonsberg has promised consumers the best cheese and we intend to continue delivering on that promise, he said. “This makes Simonsberg cheese count among the best cheese in the world.” – Glenneis Erasmus and Alan Harman
International recognition for Groot Constantia
At the 2008 Chardonnay du Monde competition, held in Burgundy, France, not only was Groot Constantia Gouverneurs 2006 the only SA wine to achieve a gold medal among 60 other international wines, but the estate was named one of the world’s top 10 Chardonnay producers.
The du Monde is one of the world’s most prestigious international judging events. year it attracted over 950 wines from almost 40 countries. The wines were evaluated by 300 international judges. Boela Gerber, Constantia’s winemaker, said
winemaker can never predict what impress the judges of such an event.“I do think that as far as the 2006 is concerned, the classic style of the might have been the deciding factor,” he said. “Constantia’s cool climate conducive to the right grapes and retain the fruit by controlling contact with wood.” – Glenneis Erasmus
South Africans help bring rhinos back from the brink of extinction
Concerted conservation efforts have brought Africa’s dwindling populations of white and black rhino back from the brink of extinction. Conservationists in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, have been leaders in efforts to protect rhino.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) there were 8 466 white rhino and 2 599 black rhino left in the wild in 1997.
These figures have grown to 14 500 white rhino and nearly 4 000 black rhino. Significant contributors to African rhino conservation have been the former Natal Parks Board, now Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and stakeholders in the WWF’s Black Range Expansion Project (BRREP), based in KZN.
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the African Rhino Programme, recently celebrated near Mkhuze in northern KZN, seven local and international rhino conservationists were recognised as Rhino Champions for their contribution to saving these animals.“Partnerships are essential for conservation,” said Dr Patrick Sokhela, chairperson of the KZN Nature Conservation Board. “The rhinos may be on public and private land, but the reality is that they belong to all of us.”
Four of the Champions were from KZN: Nathi Gumbi, cofounder of Somkhanda Game Reserve, the first ever community-owned conservation area participate in the BRREP; Kevin Pretorius of Phinda Private Game Reserve; Clive Vivier of the Zululand Rhino Manfred Kohrs of Pongola Reserve.
The other three are Dr Jacques Flamand, project leader of the BRREP, Taye Teferi, a conservation director with the with the Jackson Kamwi of Zimbabwe’s Lowveld Conservancy Project. – Lloyd Phillips
