Gesie van Deventer
Gesie’s name may mean little spirit, but she is certainly not timid or scared to grab life and prove that a woman can do all the things a man can. She is proof that any dream can come true and that passion is the most important ingredient needed for success...
Gesie was born in the up-country town of Vanrhynsdorp, the daughter of a miner. Due to personal circumstances she had to as a very young child assist in a clothing shop to make ends meet. It was here that she experienced the life of hardship.
She matriculated in her hometown and proceeded to the University of Stellenbosch. After several years of study, and 2 degrees, she took the brave step to enter the then male-dominated occupation of a High Court lawyer. She qualified as an Advocate in 1981 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of South Africa.
Having studied with merit bursaries, she initially served as Public Prosecutor in District and Regional Courts in the Cape Province until 1984 and then started practicing as an Advocate in the Cape High Court. She also served in different divisions of courts as Magistrate.
On request of the Government, Gesie served in various Commissions of Enquiry relating to irregularities and maladministration.
As wine has always been a passion and a hobby, Gesie decided to follow her dream and pursue wine as a career. In 1990 she again ventured where most women feared to tread and enrolled as one of the first female students at Elsenburg College of Agriculture in Stellenbosch. She obtained her Diploma in Viticulture and Botany(Cum Laude) in 1991 and followed this up with a Diploma as Cellar Master and Winemaker in 1992.
She gradually loosened herself from her legal commitments and decided to swap her advocate’s gown and designer clothes for the boots and overall of a winemaker/farmer.
Gesie has always been brimming with passion and enthusiasm for wine and that led to success throughout her career. Her list of achievements in this regard is endless. To mention a few:
• Winemaker of the year(Shiraz)(2001)
• Female Farmer of the Year (National market 2001)
• Runner up Female Farmer of the Year (Nationally 2002)
• Female Farmer of the Year (Export Markets.)(2003)
• Farmer of the Year(Both Genders)(2003),
• Western Cape top exporter
Domaine Brahms the farm which she almost single handedly created and the wines produced by her has won numerous awards both nationally and internationally.
In 2003 she became the first female chairperson of Paarl Vintners Board of Directors. She has served as Judge in both panels for Farmer of the Year (SA) and Female Entrepreneur (SA)
Gesie has always been involved in upliftment, empowerment and rural development with the accent on female mentoring.
In 2007 she was elected as Board Member on the Board of Directors of CASIDRA (Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas) The following year she became the first female to be elected as Chairperson of this Board. Casidra’s mission is rural upliftment and development,
As a motivational speaker she regularly gets invited to address Agricultural Associations, Business Societies, prize giving occasions, female farmers, small scale farmers and assists local schools for farm children.
Her interests include Wine, Marketing and product development, cooking, gardening, reading, traveling, music, sewing and more wine. Her priorities in her life is Johan (her husband whom she describes as her best friend and great partner, who supports her in everything she does), her son Jacques, her garden, art, reading and red wine .
When asked about the connection between law and wine she often says that with law one deals with the past, with wine one deals with the future.
Her special message for Inspiringwomen subscribers: “We all make mistakes, sometimes we are not brilliant as we would like to be, but don’t be so aware of where you come from, rather focus on where you want to be.
And finally: My favourite quote from a motivational speaker: “Life is like a ladder and no-one has ever climbed a ladder with his hands in his pockets” Go girls, go!!
Gesie, we salute you!
