Denene Erasmus
Denene hails from a sugar cane farm in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, but after school she relocated to the Cape Winelands to study, for many years, at the University of Stellenbosch. She worked as a journalist for Farmer’s Weekly since 2009 and in 2015 moved to Johannesburg as Deputy editor for the magazine. In 2016 she was appointed editor, and at the end of 2021, she stepped down from her position to pursue her journalism career.
Universal Expo – exploring solutions to end world hunger
Hunger remains an everyday reality for 795 million people across the globe. The vast majority of these – 780 million – live in developing regions. This year’s Universal Expo, hosted in Milan, Italy, focuses on finding sustainable solutions to end world hunger. Denene Erasmus attended the event.
Co-op boosts smallholder farmers’ success
Since forming a co-op three years ago, smallholder vegetable farmers Johannes Arendse, Joseph Bantom and Polly Theunissen have expanded their business and gained access to assistance that will help them grow even further. Denene Erasmus reports.
Here’s to a brighter future for brandy
South African brandy sales decreased from a high of 45 million litres in 1999 to 31 million litres last year. Christelle Reade-Jahn, director of the SA Brandy Foundation, spoke to Denene Erasmus about the value of brandy to the wine industry and plans to regain some of the spirit’s market share.
Don’t be afraid – engage with government
Agriculture minister Senzeni Zokwana tells Denene Erasmus that farmers need not fear radical land reform policy changes because the government will never force them to abandon their farms.
Indian investor smitten by South African winelands
Why has a wealthy Indian businessman become enamoured of SA’s wine industry? Analjit Singh told Denene Erasmus of his love affair with
Franschhoek and his decision to invest in wineries here.
Growing barley for beer – responsibly
The South African Breweries (SAB) has launched a project to encourage and support sustainable farming practices among barley farmers. This focuses primarily on water reduction and soil health, reports Denene Erasmus.
Straight talk: a top farm worker on labour issues
Jerome Thomas, Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year, started his career as a general labourer on Kanonkop Estate 15 years ago. He now works as a supervisor and serves on the farm’s management committee. He spoke to Denene Erasmus about his journey to the top.
Farm choirs learn sobering power of song
De Kock Boerdery’s award-winning farm worker choirs have been the saving grace for many of the singers. Choir leaders Elsie Oliphant and Willem Krotz told Denene Erasmus how singing in the choir had changed their lives.
SA wine industry’s revamp
Apart from a new generation of winemakers and marketers that is making a name for itself, upcoming industry leaders are embarking on a fresh strategy to ensure the industry’s success. Jacques Claassen reports on these latest developments.
Consistent quality: the key to Saronsberg’s success
After only a decade of winemaking, Saronsberg has firmly established itself as one of South Africa’s most consistent producers of top-quality wines.
Denene Erasmus visited owner Nick van Huyssteen and winemaker Dewaldt Heyns to learn more about their much-lauded wines.
Farmer’s Weekly’s journalist is cream of the crop
An article written about an ostrich farming project in the Eastern Cape won Farmer’s Weekly journalist Denene Erasmus the Agricultural Writer’s SA Journalist of the Year award at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony recently.
Farmers can benefit from packaging innovations
Azapak supplies packaging to the agriculture sector. Managing director Yagen Padayachee told Denene Erasmus about his company’s latest products.
Turning the conservation tide on the Agulhas Plain
The Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area (SMA) is an innovative, farmer-driven solution to balancing commercial farming with conservation. Denene Erasmus visited farmers in the SMA to learn more about this groundbreaking initiative.
Transformation hard at work at winery
Robertson Winery runs one of a few successful transformation projects in the industry. Cellar master Bowen Botha and shareholder Martha Fielies share their story with Denene Erasmus.
Indigenous ‘Kanna’ keeps you calm & focused
Inspired by indigenous knowledge, a South African company has developed a natural, highly effective, mood-lifting and anxiety-reducing plant extract from the succulent plant, Sceletium tortuosum. Denene Erasmus spoke to Dr Nigel Gericke.
Forum – farm workers not ‘vulnerable workers’
The Farm Workers’ Forum was initiated in the Western Cape to offer alternative representation for workers. One of the founding members, Rita Andreas, spoke to Denene Erasmus.
Prof Nick Vink on the state of SA agriculture
One of South Africa’s most renowned agricultural economics’ researchers, Prof Nick Vink of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University, was named the 2013 Agricultural Writers’ Agriculturalist of the Year. He spoke to Denene Erasmus about the state of agriculture and land reform in South Africa.
New farmer moves ahead with skill & understanding
Warren Bam, winner of the deciduous fruit industry novice award and the Toyota New Harvest of the Year competition, spoke to Denene Erasmus about the journey that has led to his managing an organic, export table grape and blueberry farm and starting his own farming business.
Cracking the liquid egg market
Eikenhof Poultry Farms, part of the Free Range Chicken Company, is amongst South Africa’s oldest producers of free-range eggs. The company has taken the lead in offering free-range liquid egg products to retailers and food manufacturers. Denene Erasmus spoke to managing director Dr David Allwright.
Bucking the bulk wine trend
Bulk wine exports have become the backbone of South Africa’s international wine trade. But to increase profitability and ensure financial sustainability, Riebeek Cellars is instead investing in a rebranding exercise aimed at increasing bottled wine sales. Cellar master Zakkie Bester shared some wine, and insights, with Denene Erasmus.
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