There is something endearing about having a conversation with Ntsiki that is tricky to articulate in words. She radiates a warmth and ease that permeates the screen. She feels familiar, like someone I’ve known all my life. Maybe it’s her contagious optimism about the future, her straight shooter attitude or perhaps it’s the fact that we were both raised by gentle and stern grandparents who imbued love, tenderness, and tenacity into us. Ntsiki was born and raised in the small enclave of Mahlabathini in Kwazulu Natal in South Africa, by her maternal grandparents. Her face lights up when she talks about them and there’s a gentleness and softness that projects in her voice as she recounts memories of growing up with her grandparents. Ntsiki graduated with a BSc in Agriculture (specializing in Viticulture and Oenology) from Stellenbosch University in 2003 and then joined Stellekaya as their winemaker in 2004. After harnessing her winemaking and wine marketing skills within the industry, locally and in Tuscany, Bordeaux and the USA, she established her wine brand Aslina in 2016, named in honour of her grandmother. She articulates the intention for starting her brand as emanating from an intrinsic desire to create a legacy. “It is important that we create a legacy and generational wealth, both in terms of economic and knowledge wealth that can be passed down to the next generation.” When I ask her about some of the challenges that have come with running a successful and profitable business, especially in this…
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