The Allure of South Africa
During his first visit to South Africa in 1985, Dr Voloshin was able to see through the political unrest and recognise the potential and beauty hidden within the country's borders. As the country was in a similar space to one that Russia had already been in, Dr Voloshin felt obligated to now also help South Africa to evolve into a prosperous nation.
But it was Cape Town's rich beauty and impeccable wines that really captured Dr Voloshin's imagination and did not leave his thoughts even after his return to Russia. Missing the wines and tastes of the Cape back home, the business-minded Mark Voloshin noticed a lucrative gap in the Russian market. Lacking quality wines, Dr Voloshin returned to South Africa in 1986 to specifically establish the Marvol brand in the South African wine export market.
Showing true business know-how, Dr Voloshin waited until he found the perfect wine farm before buying. During his patient wait for the ideal wine farm, Dr Voloshin immersed himself in many other South African projects. These included building over 150 houses for mine workers and aiding the RDP in providing solar paneling to enhance the energy efficiency of over 150 schools in the Eastern Cape.
It was many years later that the Hazendal Estate in Stellenbosch finally ticked all the right boxes and Dr Voloshin found his perfect farm. He then wasted no time and became the first Russian wine estate owner in South Africa on the same day that the country voted in its first democratic leader - the 27th April 1994.
Dr Voloshin's Commitment Beyond Business
Dr Voloshin and the Marvol Group's interest in South Africa do not only extend to business but includes a vision of helping a country that the CEO fell in love with so many years ago, to finally meet its full potential. Hazendal Estate is one of Stellenbosch's oldest and through both Dr Voloshin and Marvol's commitment it has been restored and revitalised, preserving a slice of history for future generations.
Another venture that is close to Dr Voloshin's heart is spreading the unique traditions of Russian culture to a new South African audience, prompting him to fully fund the Centre for Russian Studies at the University of Cape Town. The aim of the centre is to promote an exchange of ideas and information between the two countries as well as teaching the incredible facets of Russian culture to a receptive audience.
A visit to the Marvol Museum on the Hazendal Wine Estate is yet another testament to Dr Voloshin's commitment to both Russia and South Africa. This unique wine cellar gallery offers an eclectic mix of Russian art and new South African works. While educating people about Russia's rich history, the gallery also gives new local artists a place to exhibit their work, offering them opportunities never before made available to them.
To find out more about Dr Voloshin's work in South Africa, watch the space for his soon-to-be-launched personal website.