Here, beyond the town of Ceres, lies the Koue Bokkeveld. The winters are cold – so cold that the original settlers had to be paid special subsidies to settle there. The summers are hot and dry – and there are rivers and dams providing fresh mountain water - the recipe for growing the finest fruit and vegetables in the world.

It is here where the forefathers of one of South Africa’s leading fruit and vegetable growers, the Dutoit Group, established the basis of what is today one of the country’s largest agri businesses.

Gysbertus du Toit settled at Kromfontein more than 110 years ago. An imposing man, who, if he was around today, would certainly have smiled at what the subsequent generations have achieved.

The first apples, which today forms the basis of the business, where, however, only planted some 70 years ago. Since then estates with lovely names such as Paardekloof, Vastrap, Nooitgedacht, Lindeshof, Tandfontein, Waboomrivier and Sneeuwkop were added to the farming activities.

New and modern pack sheds were built and logistical infra-structure created to move product from farm orchards to far-away markets around the world.