Roxan Waldeck is passionate about education and youth development in South Africa. "Facilitating the learning process and introducing new, young sommeliers to the industry is so much more than wine," she says. "My greatest joy about being a wine educator is seeing each student grow and expand on their journey of self-discovery through learning about wine and service."
She grew up in the Cape Flats and studied interior design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Her career spanned from project management and large-scale event marketing to working as a stewardess on a private yacht. After spending a considerable amount of time abroad, Roxan gravitated toward the world of wine.
She worked as sommelier at Relais & Chateaux properties and Leading Hotels of the World. After returning to South Africa to facilitate wine training, and seeing the impact of education, Roxan Waldeck founded Apeirogon Youth Development Academy (AYDA) in February 2022.
Her academy focuses on wine education and alcohol awareness within the growth mindset framework, setting strong foundations for young people wishing to pursue a career in the wine industry.
Roxan sits on the board of the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA), has served on the judging panel for the South African Wine List of the Year Awards as well as Best Young Sommelier of South Africa. She is a UCT GSB Business of Wine alumni, a Michael Fridjhon Wine Judge Academy graduate, and holds a CELTA Cambridge English teaching certificate. She is a formal transition mentor with SAYes Mentoring and is currently working towards a qualification as a thinking environment facilitator.