This is the largest group that has passed the SASA Junior Sommelier exam and we are very proud to share their stories with you. Please welcome our newest SASA Junior Sommeliers:
Alba Mtandwah
Currently: Cellar Door Ambassador at Groot Constantia, Cape Town.
Alba started as a cellar hand at high constantia wine cellar with no knowledge of wine but that broaden his curiosity about the science behind it. Alba holds a WSET Level 2 certificate and he is also now a SASA certified Junior Sommelier.
Anika de Jong
Currently: Food and Beverage manager at the Silo Hotel.
Anika was born in Namibia and started her career in Zermatt, Switzerland as a Food and Beverage Intern, after her internship she studied at the Private Hotel School in Stellenbosch. She moved to Abu Dhabi as an intern and left as a restaurant general manager. She decided to move to Cape Town to start the next chapter of her career at the Silo Hotel, where she currently works as the Food and Beverage Manager.
Artwell Chatsika (not pictured)
Currently: Wine Ambassador at Creation Wines
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Danaë Uys
Currently: Junior Restaurant Manager at Birkenhead House, Hermanus
She studied hospitality business management at IHT Hotel School and graduated Cum Laude. She started as an intern at LA Residence which forms part of The Royal Portfolio. During her time as Restaurant Manager, she got the opportunity to refine her wine knowledge by first completing WSET 1 and then the SASA Junior Sommelier certification.
Dillon Davids
Currently: Wine Steward at La Residence
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Dillon lives in a very small town called Wemmershoekdam, where he likes to explore and he is a very curious person who loves wines, especially Pinot Noir.
Jenean Booysen (not pictured)
Currently: Wine Ambassador at Creation Wines
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Patience Vimbai Mtandwa
Currently: Tasting room ambassador at Klein Constantia and Cellar door ambassador at Steenberg Vineyards.
Wine Certifications: WSET level 2, Cape Wine Academy certificate and the SASA Junior Sommelier
Patience has a passion for food and wine pairing.
Pieter Bekker
Currently: Working in Dubai.
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Recipient of the Distell Interhotel Challenge Scholarship that he won working the TAJ Cape Town.
Ross Channing (not pictured)
Currently: Work for Spirits & Bubbles.
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
After his studies at Stellenbosch University, he moved to Hermanus where he was a cellar hand at several wineries in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. He subsequently moved to Johannesburg, his hometown, to peruse a career in wine distribution.
Sandile Mnyuka (not pictured)
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Sharrol Mukendi-Klaas
Currently: Works at Culture Wine Bar
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Recipient of the ASI - Gerard Basset Foundation African sommelier scholarship.
Tapiwa Junior Chirume (not pictured)
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Theo Jeftas
Currently: Waiter at The Royal Portfolio Royal Malewane Waterside
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Theo started the hospitality industry at the age of 18 years old and ever since. He wants to further his career in hospitality and broaden his wine knowledge.
Tinashe Dhafana (not pictured)
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Zolani Dantile (not pictured)
Wine Certifications: SASA Junior Sommelier
Our next SASA Junior Sommelier exam is to be held later this year in October. For more information please reach out to info@sommeliers.org.za