Upcoming young sommelier Nkanyiso Zikhali was crowned the Wine Steward of the Year at the 2023 Inter-Hotel Challenge sponsored by HEINEKEN Beverages, then a wine steward at The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. As part of his prize, the one-time waiter and specialty wine shop assistant flew to Amsterdam for a two-week internship in the city’s fine dining milieu and wine retailing. He joined Margot Janse's acclaimed SAAM restaurant and Alexander Heim's Cape Town Social Club, exploring the culture of the city.
In June 2024, Nkanyiso was appointed as a junior sommelier at the acclaimed ëlgr Restaurant in Cape Town.
He is currently continuing his journey at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town where he is gaining valuable experience and building an exciting career in wine.