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The story of Maria Malan
Maria joined Stellar Farming in 1976 and before long was supervising a team of 60 permanent workers.
Stellar is one of the largest organic wineries and is situated in Western Cape, South Africa. It is home to both grape growing facilities and winery and was the first organic winery to be Fairtrade certified in June 2004.
The beginning
Starting off as a domestic hand for the Rossouw family (the owners of Stellar), Maria gradually began to help out on the farm itself, looking after the family's vegetable crops. The Rossouw family soon recognised her value on the farm, and in 1982 Maria embarked on a supervisor's course.
Since then Maria has really progressed in her role at Stellar. Her ambition and determination led her to graduate in table grapes, where she learned a variety of new skills and became an invaluable member of the team. Before long she was supervising a team of 60 permanent workers, which increased to 120 during harvest time.
Her journey has been challenging, not least the 18 month course in table grapes where she was the first woman to pass and one of the oldest too. Today she is farm manager at Stellar and takes charge of 200 staff!
In addition to farm manager, she also chairs Stellar's Fairtrade Committee as well as being recently elected on the South Africa Fairtrade Committee.
The future
As a valued member of the team at Stellar, Maria is looked up to by the other workers. She always encourages them to grab any opportunity they have in life and always believe that they can be an equal partner in the work they do.
A real influence in Maria's life has been her children. She says that while it's not a sin to sweep floors for a living, a reason for her wanting to make progress in life was to make her children proud.
Her advice to anyone would be to have a goal in life and always continue to strive to achieve it. Always look forward and don't concentrate on the negatives in your life but think of the positives.
Fact
The Fairtrade Premium is being used to purchase shares in Stellar Winery to a total shareholding of 26% as well as the purchase of a farm next to the cellar which will be owned and managed by the workers.
Fact
In the future they plan to purchase a bus to provide safe travel for workers between home and work, and construct a Multi Purpose Hall; to create a hall for meetings, seminars and workshops.
Fact
Furthermore, at Stellar employees and their families receive health care and the permanent services of a community worker. Workers also receive free housing, electricity and water and all schooling and childcare facilities are subsidised.
ASDA.com Copyright 2008.
