Page 11 - GrowSA News September

I N D U S T R Y F E A T U R E
BOPLAAS -ABUSINESS BUILT ON FAMILY, SUSTAINABILITYAND

INNOVATION

Fanie van der Merwe, Boplaas MD, showcasing the floa�ng solar plant

The oldest family business in South Boplaas’s focus was redirected towards the health

Africa, Boplaas 1743 Landgoed, root of the land, sustainable water solu�ons and the
reduc�on of air pollu�on and chemicals released.
their success in their values by With the new floa�ng solar plant, first of its kind

proving that family branches further in Africa, they have managed to save 609 000kg
CO2 emission, which is equivalent to 18 200
than blood, sustainability should be trees.

the main produce with innova�on as
This also resulted in the crea�on of constant
your main pruning tool. electricity supply, with no cost increases foreseen
in the next 15 years.
The family and business realized the importance of
viewing one’s employees as your biggest asset, which is About Boplaas MD: Fanie van der Merwe
why they provide development and training
opportuni�es to their employees and they share a The Boplaas farm truly bursts with Agritourism
percentage of their net profit with their employees. poten�al and they hope to cul�vate this more
a�er the Pandemic. They currently have a
They are in the process of teaching their employees beau�ful four-star guesthouse and Fanie
about profit sharing and equipping them with concepts personally leads tours on their original farm
such as produc�vity, responsibility, discipline, trust and Boplaas in the “Koue-Bokkeveld”, where
ownership. everything started.

Sustainability, which is a concept engraved in the
purpose of family business, is the golden thread to all For more informa�on on Boplaas visit:
Boplaas ini�a�ves. Just like business should be www.boplaas1743.co.za
sustainable, so should the natural environment be that
surrounds it. The farm’s slogan is also adapted to
“Volhoubaar Groen” which is translated as Sustainably
Green.

September | GROWSA MONTHLY NEWS 11