Sibulele (Sibu) Mantyi and Relebohile (Lebo) Sechaba
At Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate, we believe in nurturing talent, fostering growth, and providing opportunities for both personal and professional advancement. Our team is not just a group of employees – it’s a family united by passion, curiosity, and the pursuit of excellence. The journey of our two cellar interns for the 2025 harvest, Sibulele (Sibu) Mantyi and Relebohile (Lebo) Sechaba, perfectly reflects this ethos of empowerment and transformation.
Sibu Mantyi: From self-discovery to winemaking dreams
Sibu’s journey to the cellar has been a deeply personal one. Raised in a world where the future was uncertain, he struggled with finding a clear career path after completing his matric. However, Sibu’s openness to learning and his desire for both physical and spiritual growth led him to wine, a field where his passion for understanding life’s intricacies has flourished.
For Sibu, joining the Vergenoegd Löw team is not just a job – it’s an invaluable opportunity to learn, grow, and build a foundation for his dream of becoming a winemaker. “I did not know where to go to acquire the skills and knowledge of winemaking,” he explains. “But Vergenoegd Löw opened that door for me, offering hands-on experience that I could never have gained anywhere else.”
Through this internship, Sibu has been introduced to the science behind winemaking – a field he never imagined exploring in such depth. Despite the challenges, like long hours and night shifts during the busy harvest season, he is determined to stay vigilant, learn, and grow every day. “I understand that the road ahead is not easy, but this internship has given me a strong foundation to one day stand as a qualified winemaker,” he shares.
Sibu’s long-term vision is clear: to establish his own wine brand, producing wines that offer a new and memorable experience for wine enthusiasts globally. His journey is a testament to the power of finding one’s path, and how Vergenoegd Löw is helping to shape his future in the wine industry.
Lebo Sechaba: A passion for learning and professional growth
Lebo, an agriculture diploma student majoring in Viticulture and Oenology, has always been captivated by the world of winemaking. When the opportunity arose to join Vergenoegd Löw’s harvest internship program, she saw it as the perfect chance to deepen her knowledge and immerse herself in South Africa’s vibrant wine culture.
Her passion for sustainability and innovation in winemaking drew her to the estate, where she found a harmonious blend of tradition and modern techniques. “The opportunity to contribute to and learn from a team dedicated to sustainable wine production is something I treasure,” says Lebo.
Throughout her internship, Lebo has gained hands-on experience in all facets of the winemaking process, from harvesting to bottling. She’s been involved in tasks like crushing grapes, checking sugar levels in tanks, and fermentation management. These practical experiences, which she never anticipated gaining so quickly, have broadened her understanding of the industry.
The internship has also been a journey of personal and professional growth for Lebo. One of the most challenging moments was facing her fear of heights when tasked with climbing large fermentation tanks. “It pushed me outside my comfort zone, but I learned valuable skills and gained confidence in my ability to work under pressure,” she shares.
For Lebo, the mentorship she has received from the Vergenoegd Löw team has been invaluable. “My supervisor has been incredibly supportive, and the entire team has shared their wealth of knowledge, which has shaped my development as a professional in the wine industry,” she says.
Looking forward, Lebo is excited about the future of South African winemaking. She envisions herself as a winemaker or viticulturist, working to promote sustainable practices and giving back to underprivileged communities by sharing her knowledge and empowering others.
A future shaped by opportunity
Both Sibu and Lebo exemplify the values that Vergenoegd Löw holds dear: growth, inclusivity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Their stories remind us of the transformative power of internships and the lasting impact of mentorship in shaping the careers of the next generation of winemakers.
As they look ahead to their futures in the wine industry, Sibu and Lebo both share a common goal – to use the knowledge and skills they are gaining at Vergenoegd Löw to make a meaningful impact on the world of winemaking. Whether it’s crafting their own wines or promoting sustainability in the industry, they are well on their way to achieving their dreams.
At Vergenoegd Löw, we are proud to support and empower talented individuals like Sibu and Lebo. Their journeys remind us of the importance of creating opportunities for personal and professional growth, and of the lasting impact that mentorship, passion, and dedication can have in shaping the future of the wine industry.
The future of winemaking: Empowering the next generation
We look forward to continuing to support our interns and team members as they navigate their own paths in the wine industry. Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate remains committed to providing opportunities that inspire, challenge, and empower the next generation of winemakers – because at the end of the day, the future of winemaking lies in the hands of those we nurture today.