‘We built this land’: descendants of enslaved people are reclaiming their history across South Africa’s vineyards

Source: The Guardian — Africa By Rachel Savage in Constantia and Franschhoek. Photographs by Tommy Trenchard 26 October 2026, 05:00

Slavery was integral to the country’s wine industry. Now a handful of wineries are addressing its legacy and righting the wrongs of the past

At Groot Constantia, the oldest wine farm in South Africa, the 450,000 visitors who pass through its gates annually can admire the picturesque vineyards sloping towards a bay ringed by mountains or enjoy a glass of sweet Grand Constance, reputed to have been Napoleon’s favourite wine.

Unusually among the region’s old vineyards, there is also a museum that includes the history of slavery, run by state body Iziko Museums. Panels display information about enslaved people – about 30 of whom lived on the estate at any given time from its founding in 1685 until slavery was abolished in 1834 by the British colonial government – detailing everything from their work to what they ate.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to The Guardian — Africa. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

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