YESTERDAY

TOMORROW

Christiaan Le Cordeur Rossouw was born on 21 September 1938 on the farm Vischkuil, Springs. He attended primary school at the farm school Stompiesfontein and secondary school at Hugenote Boys High School in Springs before moving on to the University of Pretoria where he obtained a formal tertiary qualification in agriculture.

 

Naubie, born on 3 June 1943 in Bloemfontein, also attended the University of Pretoria where she studied education. Chris and Naubie met at university. It was love at first sight and they married in 1963.

 

Having completed their studies, Chris initially poured his energy into the success of other farmers when he joined the Agricultural Advisory Services of the Department of Agriculture. Naubie taught Afrikaans and Mathematics at various schools. In 1964 Chris ceased his involvement with the Department of Agriculture. He and Naubie then started farming on a small rented property in the Delmas region of the Mpumalanga Highveld, then referred to as Transvaal. In 1968 they purchase their first farm, Strydpan. They were set to become official grain and dairy farmers and this was the beginning of a beautiful family legacy.

Four children were born into the family, namely Adriaan (1964), Charles (1966), Chris (1969) and Naudé (1973). They also adopted a fifth son, Tiaan, when he was only one week old. Charles was the first to join the family business in 1993, with the others following suit soon after.

 

“The most important part of any timepiece is the seconds indicator”

– Chris Rossouw

 

This mantra clearly describes Chris’s approach to life. A sense of urgency and the will to act prudently and decisively when an opportunity presents itself or when faced with a challenge, have always been part of his makeup. Over the years this distinction has earned Chris the respect of his fellow farmers. Naubie, whilst being a caring mother for her sons, has always been the “silent force” behind Chris, creating a welcoming and stable atmosphere at home, but also involved with the farm office, assisting Chris to keep his fingers on the pulse.

 

It is an honour to pay tribute to this remarkable couple, and to share (albeit a small part) of their story on this forum.

ROSSOUW

BROTHERS

CHARLES

CHRIS

ADRIAAN
ROSSOUW

ROSSGRO | REALGROWTH

Adriaan Jan Rossouw, the firstborn of Chris & Naubie, was born on 19 January, 1964. After completing his primary and secondary education he enrolls at the University of Pretoria’s Medical Faculty and completes a MBChB degree to qualify as a general practitioner. Adriaan proceeds to practice as a medical healthcare professional in several locations and opens a thriving practice in Delmas. Heeding the call of the farm Adriaan eventually joins the family farming enterprise in 1998 and vigorously builds on the foundations laid by his father.

Although responsibilities within the separate companies of the Rossgro Poultry Group are shared, Adriaan mainly keeps a keen eye on the broiler production of the group, ensuring the effective and profitable production of five million birds per annum. Adriaan, as “Ouboet”, is also attributed with overseeing the corporate social responsibility matters of the group, a crucial component of any large successful business.

 

Adriaan and his wife, Renita, reside on one of the Rossouw Farms in a beautifully designed “English country home”. Adriaan has two children, Lomé and Jandré.

CHARLES
ROSSOUW

ROSLE | REALGROWTH

Charles Rossouw, Chris & Naubie’s second son, was born on 9 April, 1966. Charles completes a BSc construction management degree at the University of Pretoria, but is the first son to find his way back to the farm in 1993.

 

Soon after his arrival on the farm he makes calculations and points out to his father that the dairy business is cannibalising the profits of the grain business. True to his fibre, Chris makes a swift call and allows Charles to cull the dairy business, creating space for the

introduction of poultry into the mix – a decision that will pave the way for the growth of a poultry business that today sorts under the top ten in the country.

 

Charles, assisted by his father, jumps at the opportunity to purchase a run-down citrus farm in Groblersdal and promptly leaves Delmas to plough his energy into the turnaround. By his side is his wife, Adri. Out of this marriage four children are born – Christiaan, Annelet, Bianca, and Jean-Jacques.

NAUDÉ
ROSSOUW

ROSSGRO | REALGROWTH

Naudé Rossouw is Chris and Naubie’s fourth son. He was born on 13 February 1973. After completing his secondary education he enrols for a MBChB degree at the University of Pretoria. Having qualified as a medical practitioner, Naudé spends some time in medical practice in the United Kingdom before returning to South Africa and marrying Claudette. From this union three children are born, Moné, Dian and Nina.

Joining the family business in 2003, Naudé is instrumental in the decision to aggressively expand the fresh poultry egg market and to establish a feed mill for the production of high quality chicken feed. Naudé and his family reside in Delmas.

 

Although responsibilities within the separate companies of the Rossgro Poultry Group are shared, Naudé primarily holds vigil on the layer and feed mill divisions of the group. Naudé and Adriaan jointly run a small medical clinic at their head office outside Delmas where employees receive medical assistance. Patients from their previous respective practices also find their way to the clinic every now and then.

TIAAN
ROSSOUW

AFRICA LAWNS

Tiaan Rossouw was born on the farm Geluk, outside Delmas. He studied B.Com Law at The University of the Free State for 4 years. Although he never completed his degree he regards the period as an invaluable time of learning about life. Tiaan is married to Liani and in 2015 their son, Eduan, is born.

Tiaan’s primary responsibility is the production of instant lawn. Africa Lawns is one of the biggest Instant Lawn suppliers in South Africa. Tiaan is an avid sports lover, himself playing rugby and golf. When he is not actually engaging in sport himself, he likes to follow the performance of his favourite teams. He has a love for historic mysteries and a keen interest in famous historic figures and famous criminal cases.

CHRIS
ROSSOUW JNR

ROSSOUW FARMING GROUP

Chris Rossouw, the third son of Chris (Snr) and Naubie Rossouw is born on 14 September 1969. Chris excels in sport and develops into a rugby player of note whilst working on obtaining an honours degree in Economics at the University of Pretoria. Years of hard work on the rugby field pays off when Chris is selected to form part of the Springbok team – winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Chris is married to Yvonne, and was blessed with five children. He joins the grain farming section of the business in partnership with his father in 2002.

 

Chris has a keen and investigative mind, and multiple innovative business opportunities are identified and added to the family enterprise under his guidance. These include a chicken abattoir (since sold) and a rendering plant producing protein meal from chicken feathers.

OUR

FAMILY OF COMPANIES

The Rossouw Family Office maintains overall oversight over the family interests ranging from primary agriculture to manufacturing and distribution. From humble beginnings and by the grace of God the original farming enterprise has grown and developed into what today essentially comprises of four sub-groups of businesses and holding companies, totalling almost 60 entities.

ROSSOUW

FARMING GROUP

Chris Rossouw (Jnr), together with his father, heads up Rossouw Boerdery Delmas – an extensive farming business planting blend of approximately 4000 hectares of grains annually. A roll-on lawn section provides a selection of the finest grass varieties currently available in South Africa, catering for various applications, from general house garden use to specialist developments, such as rugby fields. Two broiler production units pumping 3.5 million chickens into the market annually, and a rendering plant converting chicken feathers into protein meal, completes the picture of the Rossouw Farming Group.

ROSSGRO

POULTRY GROUP

Although not the only sub-group within the family interests to produce poultry and poultry related products, Rossgro Poultry Group is the primary focus of the family’s poultry interests. Starting in the 1990’s the group, under guidance of two of Chris and Naubie’s sons, Drs. Adriaan and Naudé Rossouw, expanded to include fresh poultry egg production, broiler production as well as two feed manufacturing facilities. From their head office outside Delmas, the brothers keep a close eye on the 60 000 dozen fresh eggs being packed daily in three pack houses, the five million birds provided to the broiler market annually, and the manufacturing of superior quality chicken feed used internally in the group and sold to lucky customers.

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ROSLE

GROUP

An informal combination of Rossouw and Le Cordeur, the second name of Chris Rossouw (Snr), aptly names the family’s activities in Groblersdal. Through the hands-on approach of Charles, Chris and Naubie’s second son, approximately 1.5 million cartons of high quality citrus are exported to a global selection of markets and countries. Acquired in the early 1990’s, this run-down citrus farm was transformed by aggressive expansion and replanting programmes into one of the region’s most productive units with more than 600 hectares of high quality citrus. The almost insatiable demand from the health and gastronomic markets for blueberries moved Charles to include 60 hectares of Blueberry plantings in a protected production environment in the Rosle portfolio.

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REALGROWTH

COMPANY

“This is our cattle farm…” is the popular phrase Charles uses to describe the property developments the family are crafting in Gauteng. Aimed at the affordable market – notably not the low cost market – these apartment complexes contribute hugely to the need for safe, affordable, clean, and well managed housing developments in Gauteng. A family member, Mrs. Erika Sutton watchfully steers the Group through the labyrinth of project due diligence, planning and execution.

VIEW SITE

SETTING

THE TONE

VALUES

The family values are the STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR of the Rossouw family. These values form part of the Rossouw DNA serving as a guide to set priorities within family and business. This is what the Rossouw family wants to be known for.

The Vision of the Rossouw Family is:

To be known as a leading and respected South African business family, whose roots were founded on agriculture, with a focus on developing each member of the family, building lasting businesses and contributing to the communities where the family is involved.

EXCELLENCE

A desire to strive towards high standards of excellence and quality. If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.

SELF-MOTIVATION

Aspiring to effectively contribute to this world using God-given creative and innovative talents in order to benefit the community.

WILLINGNESS TO LEARN

A mindset of continuous development supporting an environment where all family members can learn and grow uniquely.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

The essence of effective communication lies in connecting with others and saying what you mean, ultimately refining teamwork, decision making, and problem solving.

CHRISTIAN MORAL STANDARDS

Serving the community on the foundation of their Christian faith leading to a fulfilled life evident of integrity and respect.

PHILANTHROPIC

INVOLVEMENT

The Rossouw Family, in line with their values, recognises the importance of ploughing back into the communities surrounding their activities. These communities bring forth their hands and feet, the very people enabling them to grow and prosper.

 

SCHOOL

GYM

SCHOOL

GYM

The family, under the direction of Charles Rossouw, assisted the Ben Viljoen High School in Groblersdal to establish a well-equipped, and totally professional, gym for physical exercise. Currently the facility is available to all students at Ben Viljoen, and also serves the wider community, with neighbouring schools making use of the facility, and more than 300 local residents registered.

THE ANNUAL

CHOIR

CONTEST

THE ANNUAL

CHOIR

CONTEST

An annual choir contest is run between the three fresh egg pack houses. This has over time developed into a serious affair, with many hours of preparation going into the perfection of the various performances. At the event all choir groups come together and sing their hearts out, not only for a cash prize, but also for the sheer enjoyment of song and the respect of their colleagues.

SILVER

CHARM

TRUST

SILVER

CHARM

TRUST

Employees of the Rosle Group farm citrus in Groblersdal under the keen eye of Charles Rossouw, with a percentage of profits flowing to the Silver Charm Trust. Produce from this farm gets packed and exported as part of Rosle’s annual citrus export to multiple countries around the globe. Beneficiaries of the Trust receive a monthly stipend and an annual lump sum from the proceeds of the exports.

AGRICULTURAL

INFORMATION

DAYS

AGRICULTURAL

INFORMATION

DAYS

Periodical training days are held for small and informal poultry farmers where information regarding poultry farming is shared and explained. Veterinarians and food technologists from Rossgro Poultry attend these days and make effort to educate small and informal farmers about the importance of good farming practices. Questions on particular problems experienced by these farmers are entertained and answered on the spot.

MEDICAL CLINIC

& AIDS INFORMATION

DAYS

MEDICAL CLINIC

& AIDS INFORMATION

DAYS

Adriaan and Naudé, both medical practitioners, have a keen interest in the health of the family’s employees and in that of the community in which they reside. Monthly and quarterly testing is conducted for HIV, Aids, and TB, as well as infant immunisation and pregnancy testing. Aids information days are held regularly where informal sport is used to obtain the interest of the communities in order to pass on relevant information on the prevention and care of HIV & AIDS.

COMMUNITY

CHURCH

 

COMMUNITY

CHURCH

Under the guidance of Chris Rossouw (Snr) a community church was built on farmland adjoining the head office of Rossouw Poultry. The entire project was sponsored by the Rossouw Family, and enables the surrounding community to conduct church meetings and other related activity in a magnificent, purposely built facility.