Thank heaven for overseas money. Without it, what would Cape vineyards do?

Without the hard currency and dedication of foreign owners, SA would be in the vinous dark ages

16 June 2021 - 19:18 By Michael Fridjhon

In the mid 1980s, as the late Hans Schreiber was buying up high-profile viticultural property in Stellenbosch, a serious concern was expressed — in newspaper columns and not just at jukskei competitions — about the sale of heritage sites to foreigners. It was in a time of enforced isolation. PW Botha ruled with an iron fist in a chain-mail glove. Presumably those who were editorialising believed he would simply wave his tungsten-plated arm and foreign investors would be sent on their way with their deutschmarks in their pockets and their tails between their legs...

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