The Human Element

When asked what brings her the most pride and joy in her work at Groot Phesantekraal on the outskirts of Durbanville, Joan Adonis answers without hesitation: “Onse mense!” (“Our people!”)

At 46, Joan has spent roughly half her life on the farm and all of it in Durbanville. A local in every sense, she has become an integral part of the Groot Phesantekraal family. Today, she serves as frontwoman, leading all the female workers on the farm, while also fulfilling her roles as block woman and head of the on-site butchery.

“What is your work without those you work with?” she asks. “From Oubaas and Ronelle as head custodians, who have taught me so much, to colleagues who have become family over the years.”

She explains that everything they do is driven by a shared purpose: to build and maintain Groot Phesantekraal’s reputation as one of South Africa’s top-performing farms. “And to do so with this group of people. It’s really special, to say the least.”

A legacy rooted in people and purpose

Groot Phesantekraal, located just outside Durbanville, stands as a testament to visionary leadership and a family’s dedication to sustainable farming. Founded in 1698, the farm has been in the Brink family for over a century, with André, known as Oubaas, and his sons Rennie and Jeandré representing the fourth and fifth generations.

André oversees the strategic direction of the business, while his sons lead key divisions. Rennie drives the grain and wine sectors, and Jeandré manages livestock operations and the farm’s feed factory. André’s wife, Ronelle, is responsible for marketing, administration and wine exports. Together, they are supported by a skilled team of 110 staff members, each playing a vital role in the farm’s success.

Over the years, the farm has earned significant industry recognition. André was named Farmer of the Year for 2024 by Agricultural Writers SA. In 2022, Groot Phesantekraal received Grain SA’s Grain Producer of the Year award, and in 2015 it won the Protein Research Foundation’s Canola Yield Competition.

Yet for André, success goes beyond accolades. It is measured in the continuity of the family legacy and the commitment of the next generation. It is also reflected in his dedication to empowering workers and uplifting the surrounding community through a sustainable and inclusive agricultural model.

From vineyard worker to leader

Joan’s journey on the farm began 25 years ago as a vineyard worker.

“I remember it was September, and my little baby was only one year old,” she recalls. Before joining the farm, she spent around 12 years working for a local butcher, a skill that would later shape her career path.

“That experience led me to the butchery on the farm. I started helping out, and now I lead. Today, I know every cut like the back of my hand. I also know which ones are the tastiest,” she says with a smile.

Her work spans everything from making boerewors and patties to processing whole animals for larger clients. “It’s my passion. And it’s very valuable to me.”

Looking back, she remembers a very different farm.

“When I joined, this farm was not as we know it today. Oubaas and Ronelle had only started planting vineyards a few years before, in the late 1990s. My main job was to help grow the vines. They were new, I was new. It was an experience I will never forget, and something I value to this day.”

Since then, Groot Phesantekraal has grown significantly, evolving from just three vineyard blocks to a large-scale, diversified operation.

Growing with the land

Under André’s leadership since 1996, the farm has expanded from 350 hectares to 4 650 hectares, including leased land. Today, its operations include wine production, small grains, livestock and a feed factory. The farm supports 3 500 Dohne Merino ewes, a 400-strong Hereford cattle herd, and 180 hectares of vineyards.

For Joan, working in nature remains both challenging and deeply rewarding.

“To work in nature every day can take its toll, but to see and experience how your hard labour helps fruit grow remains one of my most treasured feelings,” she says.

Farming, she explains, requires patience on every level. “Not only with yourself, but also with others and Mother Earth. We are vulnerable to nature and its elements. There are many challenges, but it’s how you handle them that has the final say.”

A proud moment and a shared future

One of Joan’s proudest achievements was her appointment as frontwoman, a role previously held by men.

“I was totally blown away. Me? Frontwoman? Never!” she says. “But I managed, and I was sent for management courses to equip me. I had never been prouder of myself.”

She believes growth comes from both opportunity and personal commitment. “No one knows everything on day one, but when people are willing to develop you and see you grow, then you are in a good space. You just have to do your part.”

Community beyond the farm

Outside of her work, Joan is deeply involved in her church community. She previously taught Sunday school and is remembered for bringing sandwiches for the children. Today, she sings in the choir, something she considers one of the great joys of her life.

“We even sang at the memorial service of Solly Philander,” she says with a modest smile.

For Joan, the story of Groot Phesantekraal is not only one of growth, legacy and agriculture. At its heart, it is about people.