The DNA of caring
“Uithou, aanhou en bekhou!” – Irene Cillié. On 16 May this year the family and extended farm family of Laastedrif and surrounds said goodbye to Irene Cillié, the mother of many. On that same day her son, Rossouw, custodian of…
The gold medals of Ouplaas
Ouplaas is an exceptional farm in the Witzenberg Valley. More impressive is that many of the inhabitants are runners. No, not running away, but running to be better at what they do. Breaking records in all sorts of events. Maybe…
The Normat Choir’s songs of hope
On 14 September 2019 Normat Farms’ Ladies Choir achieved first place for the second year running at the Koue-Bokkeveld Training Centre’s choir evening. They are truly a choir of note, but it didn’t happen overnight. Gerrit Rautenbach reports. The whole…
There is a lot of Saul
Saul Lintnaar from the Graaff Fruit Farm, Lushof, was a finalist at the Deciduous Fruit Industry Gala Awards 2019 in the category “Advanced Agricultural Worker”. Although he didn’t win this one, he has many awards under his belt. However, awards…
There’s no beating about the KBOS
The Koue Bokkeveld Opleidingsentrum (KBOS) does not beat about the bush, mince words or waste time. But they do constantly empower people with knowledge and life skills, Gerrit Rautenbach discovered. I’m on my way to Op-die-Berg and have just begun…
Value adding on fruit farms
Lox, stock and barrel Loxtonia cider of Ceres’ story by Gerrit Rautenbach. “The fact that we started making cider is because we’ve got sun in South Africa. An abundance of sun. Resulting in a high percentage of sunburn and related…
Women in Agriculture: Danell du Toit
Danell du Toit is MD of the De Keur Group and Vice-Chairperson of Hortgro Pome. She spoke to Jenny Underhill about the values she acquired in childhood, her unexpected career path, and her take on women in agriculture. “Many of…
Women in Agriculture: Georgina Hewitt
Georgie Hewitt is a director of Verdun and Vice-Chairperson of Hortgro Stone. She spoke to Jenny Underhill about her education and work experience, joining the family business, and her experience of being a woman in agriculture. Hewitt grew up in…