The search for South Africa’s next rising star in wine service reaches its peak on 1 July, when six semi-finalists will compete at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Gauteng for the coveted title of Best Young Sommelier of South Africa.

From an initial pool of 24 entrants, six remain after a series of  workshops held across the Western Cape and Gauteng. The semi-finals will run from 9am to 1pm on 1 July, with the top three finalists announced at 2.30pm.

The semi-finalists competing for the title are Joe Beziek, Ayanda Magele, Siya Msalela, Benjamin Fast, Freda-Marizen Jacobs and Greg Lorimer.

Evaluating the young somms will be a judging panel that reads like a who’s who of the South African sommelier community.

Elton Damon, winner of the 2026 Eat Out Woolworths Wine Service Award, rose through the ranks at La Colombe and now heads the wine programme at three-star restaurant La Petite Colombe, where he’s recognised as one of the country’s leading sommeliers.

Laurie Cooper made history in 2025 as the first female chairperson of the South African Sommeliers Association. A former Best Young Sommelier winner herself (2019), she earned a WSET Diploma scholarship for achieving the highest marks worldwide in the sparkling wine module. Driven by a passion for wine education, she also founded the KZN School of Wine.

Tawanda Marume brings international perspective as the 2020 Best Sommelier of Zimbabwe and 43rd-ranked competitor at the 2023 ASI Best Sommelier of the World competition. He was recognised as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the African Food Industry and serves as resident juror for Star Wine List South Africa.

Moses Magwaza is a two-time Eat Out Wine Service Award winner (2017, 2018) from when he worked at Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient. The restaurant earned some of the most prestigious wine-list accolades in the world, including the Wine Spectator Grand Award, becoming the first restaurant in Africa to achieve this distinction.

Mxolisi Mahashi, group sommelier for Signature Restaurants and Gauteng chapter ambassador for the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA), was a 2024 Ubuntu Trophy finalist known for his commitment to mentorship and sommelier development.

Shane Mumba brings a decade of hospitality expertise and serves as an associate judge at the Michelangelo International Spirits Awards and Veritas, with main judging duties at Diners Club Winemaker of the Year. He comes with a deep appreciation for the art and science of wine and spirits.

Armand Ridgard is the reigning Best Sommelier of South Africa for 2025 and wine and hospitality manager for Vrymansfontein and Vondeling Wines, with experience at Restaurant JAN in Nice. He is deeply passionate about elevating South African wine through exceptional guest experiences and industry leadership.

Good luck to all the finalists!