A touch of class at Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival

07 March 2017

 

The Soweto Theatre was the place to be for the lovers of fine wines, good food and high fashion for three days over the weekend.

 

The state-of-the-art multipurpose complex in the heart of Soweto was the host of the 12th edition of the increasingly popular and growing Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival.

Hundreds of people from within and outside Johannesburg flocked to the majestic entertainment venue to experience the ultimate touch of class. The partnership between the Soweto Theatre management and festival organisers hit the right chords with the lovers of the finest things in life.

The festival brought South Africa’s most acclaimed wines to Johannesburg’s biggest township and expose its residents to the some of the country's wine-drinking cultures.

Simphiwe Mngomezulu came all the way from Ekurhuleni for the experience. “For me this event is about more than just wine; it's about spending time with people who share your love for wine and having meaningful conversations. I enjoyed the wine and food pairing session of the festival. It was very insightful,” she said.

She said she was also introduced to new proudly South African brand of wines at the festival. “I had three of my favourite things under one roof - wine, fashion and food. I’m looking forward to coming back next year,” concluded Mngomezulu.

City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development Cllr Sharon Peetz said she was happy Soweto Theatre had successfully hosted such a popular event.

For many years the festival was held at the Soweto campus of the University of Johannesburg before briefly making the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown its home.

“Supporting signature Joburg events like the Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival forms part of our mission to continue positioning Johannesburg as one of the world’s leading cities – an all-year round global destination, not just in its capacity as the continent’s financial hub and leading business and business events destination, but also as a vibrant, cosmopolitan centre for leisure, heritage, the arts, culture, entertainment, sports and lifestyle,” said Cllr Peetz.

With limited capacity to showcase South Africa’s finest wines to the trendsetters from across the globe, this festival has transformed the shape of the wine industry over the past decade with multi-tiered opportunities for wineries to selectively handpick the audience they wish to exhibit their finest varieties to.