Mpho hails from Welkom in the Free State and joined the Cape Grace family after completing the Advanced Wine course with the Cape Wine Academy in the Eastern Cape. Whilst she occasionally misses her home town, she loves the exposure and experience that Cape Town has given her. In addition, she also loves the hustle and bustle of the city and is inspired by the work ethic of the residents.
As there are not many female wine sommeliers, she intends to establish herself in the industry in that regard, or perhaps, as a future Wine Master. In addition, she also hopes to influence and change the way that people think about wine, particularly in South Africa. Whilst she has really come to appreciate Chardonnay, she admits that she is still becoming accustomed to the reds, with Pinot Noir and Shiraz being among her top choices.
Mpho loves the diversity of the hospitality industry. The fact that it grants employees the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world and learn about different cultures and languages fuels her passion! Despite her interest in different nationalities, her love for South Africa is deeply entrenched in her heart, particularly the country’s delicious, traditional cuisine. Whilst she enjoys the different tastes presented in food and wine pairings, her favourite dish remains to be Malamokgodu (intestines) and samp.
Although Mpho loves socialising, she also appreciates time alone. When she is not working, she enjoys taking the time to reflect on her goals, thinking about what she wants to do in the future. Mpho reflects all of the values of the Cape Grace Hotel; gratitude, respect, abundance, care and excellence and Cape Grace are proud to see her represent the brand this year.