About

OUR BUSINESS

Where agriculture meets

innovation and accountability

Bronaar is an agri-business in the Koue Bokkeveld region of South Africa’s Western Cape. We have a favourable climate for advancing our agricultural operations and we know this area intimately, having a long heritage of farming in this region.

Bronaar was founded as a sustainable independent organisation in 1965 by Hauptfleisch van der Merwe. It has originated from the well-known farm Boplaas, which has belonged to the Van der Merwe family since 1743. The Van der Merwes have lived in the Koue Bokkeveld for over two centuries and the current shareholders are the ninth generation to be stewards of this fertile land.

We produce

We pack

We export

We deliver value

Bronaar has established itself as a major player in the delivery of produce to nearly every corner of the world. We are committed, dependable suppliers, growing strategically according to global requirements and customer preferences – we are your constant source of superior fresh produce.

We’re in it for the long haul and we’re committed to building long-term relationships with our customers; keeping them happy is a job well done for us.

Creating ongoing value for our customers and stakeholders through accountable and innovation-driven farming strategies, we prioritise outstanding service, quality produce and ethical trading standards, endeavouring to always be an industry leader regarding people development and product excellence.

Our focus is on the fair production and exportation of quality fresh fruit and vegetables.

Company structure

The Bronaar group consists of four farming units and the operating company – Bronaar, Uitkyk, Kleinfontein and Oumuur. Each unit has its own infrastructure with centralised administration offices, a crèche, a clinic, a workshop and a community hall. The group owns 100% shares in two companies – Bronaar, which is the operating company, and Tierberg Farms, which owns the properties.

History and achievements

We specialise in intelligent and effective processes and procedures and believe in the power of partnerships to grow business.

2024

Asiphe Liza wins her division as a supervisor at the annual Prestige Farmworker competition, and Bronaar wins the overall best-performing farm division as well as the best table decoration.
In July 2024, a record 380 mm of rain falls in one month, the most in one month over the last 37 years. All dams are full before the end of July.

2023

On 27 April 2023, JH van der Merwe donates a new pair of school shoes to every school going child at Bronaar.
Both Kathy Januarie and Jaffie Galant retire after 27 and 40 years of service respectively.
Onion prices are the highest in years, reaching an average of more than R100 per bag across the entire harvest.
The winter has very good rainfall and for the first time in many years all the dams are full.
Themba Trust changes from a unit valuation system to a dividend income system. Bronaar Group buys back 3% shares for R4,7 million. After the transaction, Themba has 25,1% shareholding.
Dirk Louw, Bruce Arries and Luvo Nukani win their respective divisions at the Prestige Farmworker competition in the Witzenberg region. Luvo Nukani also wins the junior management division in the Western Cape.
Bronaar Foundation holds a 15-year reunion, with 23 of the 45 students attending. A farm tour, a delicious meal and wonderful life stories conclude the event.

2022

Chrissie Ntjabane is named the winner of the Farmworker Prestige Witzenberg competition in her category of social development.
Madelein Gagiano is promoted and appointed as human resources manager.
In December, hail damage to apples and pears at Bronaar results in 5% to 10% of the crop being badly affected. The entire region, as well as the Langkloof, suffered severe damage.

2021

Bronaar has three winners at the Prestige Farmworker competition in the Witzenberg region ─ Aubrey November (management), Karen November (admin) and Siswe Duma (foreman). Bronaar also receives the award for the best-performing farm.
Bamco builds another phase of BA cold rooms with the best technology – 12 rooms.
On 17 August 2021, on JH van der Merwe's 77th birthday, he gives each Bronaar employee (permanent, temporary and contractors) R1 000 as part of his inheritance.
Due to weather conditions, the Dutch Reformed Church bazaar is moved on short notice from the town to Bronaar’s onion pack shed. It is a great success and a major bridge-building opportunity.

2020

Bronaar changes its logo, shifting the emphasis to the name Bronaar as the marketing brand. It's unique and retains the Van der Merwe family legacy.
The first cartons of Big Bucks Flash Gala apples are packed at Bamco.
On 3 March 2020, part of the Maseru accommodation burns down, affecting 48 people. Much is done by Bronaar and external organisations to accommodate the people.
South Africa’s president announces a state of lockdown to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. It starts on March 26. The agriculture industry is privileged to continue working, but strict lockdown and hygiene protocols are established.
Ribbokskloof (formerly known as Westland) is purchased on 27 August 2020, for R13 million.
Bronaar stops producing Belgian endive/chicory (“witlof”) due to not being profitable.

2019

In 2019 Bronaar experiences another dry winter, with only 370 mm rainfall. No potatoes are planted.
Bronaar receives BRC accreditation for the witlof facility. Ten of Bronaar’s children receive Western Province team in Karate and take part in the national championship in Ceres, with good results.
Bronaar closes a deal with IW vd Merwe from the neighbouring farm Welbedag to rent 30 ha of land for the next five years.
Jurine Joseph wins the junior manager category in the annual Prestige Farmworker competition in the Witzenberg Valley. Jacobe Pretorius wins the technical operator category at the same event.

2018

Good winter rain and exceptional snowfall during the 2018 winter help to retain enough water for the 2019 season.
Bronaar manages the neighboring farm Welbedag in partnership with IW van der Merwe.

2017

Jurine Joseph wins first place at the Prestige Farmworker annual competition in the most potential category for the Witzenberg region.
Bamco Group establishes a new company, Bamco Packing, and builds a state-of-the-art apple pack house with presorting at Prince Alfred Hamlet.
The worst drought in 100 years is experienced in 2017. Bronaar receives 275 mm of rainfall in comparison to an average of 648 mm annually.

2016

Barend Joseph wins first place at the Prestige Farmworker annual competition as best tractor driver and Sarah Louw wins first place in the social development category for the Witzenberg region. Maguga Soltisway wins first place in die Hortgro farmworker competition as general worker for the Western Cape region.

2015

A new afterschool facility is built with money received from the government for the youth subsidy.
On 20 November 2015 Bronaar celebrates its 50th birthday with a special function attended by all stakeholders.

2013 – 2014

Bronaar employees win three of the 10 categories at the Western Cape Farmworker Competition. Eddie Louw is awarded best technical operator, Kathy Januarie is awarded best social development officer and Niklaas Pieters wins best tractor driver.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality chooses Soet Sit Bewaarskool as the best crèche in the Witzenberg region.
In 2014, Bronaar builds a sophisticated French/Belgian endive (witlof) facility - the first of its kind in South Africa and to our knowledge still the only one.

2010 – 2012

At 2010’s Farmworker of the Year competition, Maria Pretorius wins the junior manager division and Willem Januarie the middle manager division.
In 2011, Eddie Louw wins the tractor division of the Farmworker of the Year regional competition. He was the overall Western Cape winner of the Hortgro competition.
Barend Joseph is also recognised as the best tractor driver in the Western Cape at the 2012 provincial Farmworker of the Year Competition.
Bronaar starts building additional housing for young adults still living with their parents.
Bronaar gets involved with helping the Sterkspruit Senior Secondary School, buying new school desks and funding refurbishments and maintenance work.

2008 – 2009

In 2008, Bronaar appoints Mpho Makathane as a community worker. Her role is to be a counsellor for health-related challenges, especially HIV/Aids and TB, and assist the clinic sister with translations.
Hendrien van der Merwe, Bronaar’s financial director, is chosen as a finalist of the RBAA (Regional Business Achievers Awards) in the corporate category of the BWA (Business Women’s Association) of the Western Cape and Bronaar also gets the Company of the Year award.
In 2008, Bamco cold storage facilities are constructed at Op-die-Berg in partnership with Bronaar, Arbolane Estate, Môrester Estate, Donkerbos Estate and Colors Fruit SA.
Bronaar registers its afterschool facility with the Department of Social Development as an NPO.

2006 – 2007

At the 2006 Farmworker of the Year competition in the Western Cape, Jaffie Galant wins the best senior manager division.
The Bron-Vallei Woman’s Club is registered as an NPO (non-profit organisation) and receives funding to further community development. Later that year, Bronaar built a training facility and receives two computers from the Agriseta to provide ABET (adult basic education and training, focusing on literacy) to 20 workers. All permanent workers got bank accounts and their wages got paid into their accounts.
In 2007, the Bronaar Trust sells a third of the core business, including land, to the Themba Trust, repressenting 143 permanent employees. They elect eight trustees, with Jaffie Galant as chairman. He is also elected as a Bronaar director in 2007. Bronaar adopts a policy to donate 0,5% of its annual turnover to external organizations or individuals as part of its social responsibility. The Bronaar Foundation is established. It is managed independently of Bronaar Farms with trustees JH van der Merwe, Fanie van der Merwe, Hendrien van der Merwe and Joy van Biljon.

2000 – 2005

In 2002, Bronaar receives Eurepgap (now known as GlobalG.A.P.) accreditation. Two years later, Bronaar adopts a new slogan: Natural freshness since 1743.
In 2005, Bronaar starts an intensive training programme called “World class” and the first team (Madeliefies) became 100% fit. The main objectives of this programme is to develop people and create a culture of excellence. In the same year, the first issue of the Kenmekaar quarterly newspaper is distributed. It features Bronaar-related news and happenings, e.g. new employees, special events, photos, harvest information and achievements.
Also in 2005, at the Farmworker of the Year competition in the Western Cape region, Kathy Januarie wins the best junior manager division and Aletta Fredericks the best general worker division. Also in that year, Bronaar develops and registers its new Qualifresh logo. The name vividly describes the farm's products - high quality and fresh.

1990s

In 1991, a crèche with trained personnel opens on the farm, caring for 30 children daily. The next year a worker committee is elected to represent the workers in negotiations with management.
In 1993, four of Bronaar’s previously disadvantaged managers buy their own houses in the local town. The following year, a clinic with a qualified nurse is established at Bronaar.
In 1997, Bronaar received the NPI (National Productivity Institute) trophy for best apple producer, and the farm Kleinfontein for best pear producer. In the same year, JH van der Merwe buys the farm Oumuur (previously known as Manor Farm) from the Teek family.

1980s

In 1982, Hauptfleisch van der Merwe initiates the first high school built in the Koue Bokkeveld. The Skurweberg Secondary School began with 300 learners and currently has more than 1 500 learners and a hostel.
In 1985, the first community developer is appointed together with 12 other farms, chaired by Hauptfleisch van der Merwe. In 1986, Bronaar enters its rugby, soccer and netball teams into the local league – sport is an important part of our community’s recreation and leisure.

1960s

In 1965, Bronaar begins to operate as an independent organisation, originating from the well-known farm Boplaas, which has been in the Van der Merwe family since 1743.