VENTURE CAPITAL
Louis Group International embraces an entrepreneurial spirit, which extends beyond the Group's diverse business interests to its strategic initiatives, unlocking the value of collaborating with like-minded people to find creative solutions to existing business challenges and to discover innovative new ideas to expand our business interests.
KOMSBERG FARMING
In 2002, the Group acquired 33,000 hectares of land stretching over 56km along the banks of the mighty Orange River, in Namibia, investing in a massive irrigation project. Due to the exceptional climate, rich alluvial soil and the abundant source of water, Komsberg's vines have flourished and the desert has literally bloomed. An international-quality packing facility was constructed, using state-of-the-art technology to handle the harvest, which at its peak employs over 1,000 labourers and brings in over two million kilograms of fruit. These grapes are highly sought after by Tesco, Sainsburys and Marks & Spencer and are recognised as among the finest table grapes in the world. Loblaw, Canada's largest food producer, wrote to commend Komsberg's grapes as "amazing, some of the best product we have seen all year".
Komsberg Farming has also been accredited by Global Gap and Nature's Choice and is one of only two Namibian farms registered with Fair Trade.
BRAKKEFONTEIN SOLAR PARK
The Group-owned Brakkefontein Solar Park consists of 504 ha of strategic land opposite the landmark Koeberg Power Station, where the process of developing a major solar energy project is currently underway. Renewable energy has been prioritised by the national government, whose stated aim is for 30% of South Africa's energy consumption to be derived from alternative/renewable sources by 2020. To this end, the Department of Energy Affairs have released a first tender of 1450 megawatt nationally so that the private sector can apply for Independent Power Producer (IPP) licenses, which will then be fed into the national Escom grid.
This project involves partnerships with other developers and providers to place over 135 hectares of the park under solar panels, which can produce the maximum amount of power allowed per site of 75 megawatt. This represents one of the biggest projects of its kind in South Africa and it is expected to offer attractive investment opportunities in the future.
SYLVANVALE VINEYARDS
SylvanVale is the name given to the vineyards surrounding the historic Devon Valley Hotel. Built in 1947, the hotel is a well-known Stellenbosch landmark and generations of Stellenbosch residents have fond memories of enjoying a drink or a meal while sitting on the hotel patio overlooking the vineyards. These vineyards now produce the SylvanVale wines for the Louis family and its clients.
Grapes have been grown on the property since the 1960s. Today, SylvanVale offers some of the finest quality vineyards in the valley. The south-east facing slopes, with their rich red soils and cool Atlantic breeze, produce superb Pinotage, Cabernet and Chenin Blanc cultivars.
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