SHE-E-O

Confidence never goes out of style. Neither does a great business idea. These remarkable CEOs built their businesses from scratch and are writing their own success stories one award-winning page at a time. Mart-Marié du Toit gets a peek behind the door of their empires

- Mart-Marié du Toit

NTSIKI BIYELA, 44, SOMERSET WEST

Winemaker and Director of Aslina Wines

She is one of South Africa’s iconic winemakers and is highly respected and widely admired in the world of wine. Ntsiki’s broad smile and generous work ethic have created a brand synonymous with exceptional quality. She established Aslina Wines in 2016, and today her label is renowned for its premium wines. It is the realisation of Ntsiki’s dream to create an exceptional world-class brand. Apart from Aslina Wines, she also sits on the board of directors for the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, which provides technical training and personal development for young South Africans in the Cape Winelands, preparing them for work in the wine and tourism industries. The programme offers them the unique opportunity to emulate her considerable success. Last year Ntsiki received the Diversity and Transformation Award for her pioneering work in the industry in South Africa. The accolade celebrates her role in paving the way for others by eliminating barriers, setting an example and inspiring others, contributing to knowledge that others can use, and having an overall influence on the image of the South African wine industry. Ntsiki is a woman with a long list of awards behind her name, but all that matters to her is the wine.