Ilse Anne Ruthford was born and bred in Pniel, a small village between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, matriculating at Bloemhof Girl's High in 1994.
She finished a diploma in Marketing, working in various fields within the Wine Industry since 1997, including 4 years in Exports. Involved since 2006 at Meerlust, she has been the Managing Director of Compagniesdrift as from 2012.
Says Ilse: "I am very grateful for this opportunity that has come my way, and 71 other farm workers, to become owners of a Company. It is my personal goal and heart’s desire to make Compagniesdrift successful on all levels and keep on uplifting as many workers as possible."