From Dreams to Reality: Wayne’s Story
Community projects are long term projects, which means that results aren’t available immediately. In fact, you only get to experience its true value after a few years have passed. That's why, when we receive good news from our Fairtrade community members, it's a boost in our hearts to know that what we do here at Du Toitskloof Fairtrade Initiative, really does make a difference.
One of these stories comes from Wayne Kruger, a young accountant who reached his dreams with the support of the DTK Fairtrade Initiative. Wayne grew up on Onderplaas, one of our Fairtrade farms in Rawsonville. He went to school at Breërivier High School where, in Grade 8, his accountancy dreams began. He credits one of his teachers for his "I want to be an accountant" moment, when his teacher scolded him for only scoring 96% on a test and not a 100%. Then and there, he knew that this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. So, after school, Wayne continued his studies at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and received his degree in BCom Accounting in 2019.
Wayne emphasises that was it not for the Fairtrade initiative, he might not have been able to tell his story today. He was only nine when the Fairhills Association (now known as the DTK Fairtrade Initiative) project started. What might not seem like a big moment for a young boy at the time, turned out to be a crucial part of his success story. When he got accepted to study at UWC, the initiative offered him financial support in the form of a study bursary. Wayne admits that without the support of the bursary, he doubts that he would have mentally survived campus life. He has seen how financial stress can impact the academic and mental well-being of students. This bursary meant that Wayne could focus on his studies without having to worry about where his next meal would come from, whether he would be able to afford his study material or even have a place to stay – the bursary helped him cover all the necessities. This financial support played an especially big role at the end of his first year at UWC, when Wayne tragically lost his sister. With the support of the university's psychologist and the financial support from the Fairhills bursary, Wayne could carry on with his studies, despite this traumatic and heartbreaking time in his life.
In addition to the bursary and UWC’s assistance, Wayne also found a good support system in his fellow students. Today, he is eternally grateful for the friends that he made during his studies and audit articles. Since studying, his view on life has completely changed. His studies taught him that hard work is needed to get you to where you want to be in life, and that a good support system is crucial to get you through the challenging times.
Finally, Wayne also wants to credit the support he received from the farmworkers back home in Rawsonville. He cannot tell his story without them. From day one, they were his motivation to reach for his dreams. Finishing his studies wasn't just for him. It was also for his community back home in the Breedekloof Wine Valley. So that today, wherever he goes, he can also represent them with a proud and grateful heart.
Today, you'll find Wayne Kruger working as an accountant at a wine cellar in Stellenbosch. Coming from a vineyard and wine community, it has been part of his dream to work at a wine cellar one day. Even though he isn't part of the production team, it gives him so much pleasure to know, that in a way, he also plays a part in each bottle of wine produced by the cellar. Growing up on a wine farm, with the vineyards greeting you from your stoep, the wine community has always been part of who he is and where he has come from. From the farmworkers to the beautifully crafted bottles of wine – Wayne Kruger represents them all. Who knows, perhaps we’ll see him working at one of Rawsonville’s own wine cellars one day.