Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Retired cricketer Jonty Rhodes talks about his new career in wine and his effort to fight global warming
South African batsman Jonty Rhodes, known more for his aggressive play on the cricket field, has smoothly made a transition into business in his hometown, Durban. He is now the director of 10 Chapters, a wine label from Durban. Dressed casually in denims, Rhodes, 39, patiently signed autographs for
fans while promoting his delicious beverage.
Playing cricket, he says, was good while it lasted. 8220;I don8217;t miss the game. I8217;m involved with it, but there areseveral new, interesting spheres in my life,8221; smilesRhodes, who will be coaching the team Mumbai Indians for the Twenty 20 matches in April next year.
Rhodes is juggling a part-time job as banking executivein one of Durban8217;s multinational banks, along with promotingwine from South Africa all over the world.
8220;Whatever I know about wine is thanks to my winemaker Stefan Gerber, who educated me about thewine-growing region around Durban. This is the firsttime when I am speaking to various importers and understandingthe market in India. It is fun,8221; he says, inbetween animated discussions of terroir and grapequality.When he isn8217;t strolling through the vines with hiswinemaker, Rhodes prefers surfing, mountain bikingand tackling the issue of global warming, which is closeto his heart.8220;We are in talks with TATA-BP technologies to set upa plant in Durban as the carbon emissions are theirhighest ever. We need to protect the future generationfrom the hazards of global warming. It was since thetime of apartheid that such issues were brushed underthe carpet and we are facing the consequences today,8221; he says, easily slipping into the role of an amateur environmentalist. Eleventh chapter, perhaps?
