Capespan reports that its farms along the Orange River in Namibia and South Africa will total 825 hectares of table grapes once current expansion and upgrade projects are completed. The update was provided during a visit by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to the Namibia Grape Company farm in Aussenkehr. According to Capespan Group Managing Director Charl du Bois, the company manages six table grape farms across the two countries and has been investing in production capacity and infrastructure. He stated, "Capespan Farms manages six table-grape farms along the banks of the Orange River in both South Africa and Namibia. All these farms have invested significantly in quality infrastructure improvements as well as additional production developments. Following all the completed and pending developments, these units will represent 825 hectares of table grapes under production."
During the same event, Namibia Grape Company Board Chairperson Richwell Lukonga commented on the partnership between the two organisations, noting its impact on logistics, exports, and sector participation. He said, "The Namibia Grape Company, together with its strategic partner Capespan, has demonstrated that a well-structured, locally anchored, globally connected partnership can deliver national economic impact, community upliftment, natural resource beneficiation, value addition, job creation and sustainable returns to the State." Lukonga added that reforms implemented since 2023 reflect the partnership's operational strength.
NGC recently confirmed expansion and reinvestment plans for its table grape operations. In July, the company announced a capital investment programme valued at N$24 million, approximately US$1.2 million, intended to replant older vineyards and upgrade core infrastructure. This forms part of a five-year strategy aimed at maintaining competitiveness in export markets.
For the 2024–25 season, NGC reported an export volume of 548 containers through the Port of Walvis Bay, an increase of 43 percent compared with the previous season. The company employs more than 1,200 workers in the ǁKaras Region during peak harvest periods.
NGC also reported that it raised and fully repaid a N$130 million funding facility from Standard Bank last year, equal to roughly US$6.6 million, which it states supports reinvestment planning and long-term operational stability. The company continues to monitor development needs across its vineyard assets as part of its ongoing investment cycle.
Source: The Brief
