COMMUNITY
While De Rustica has achieved international acclaim for its ultra-premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils, these accolades are only in part due to our beneficial location, soils, climatic and growing conditions. Credit is equally due to our dedicated staff and management teams who strive for excellence on a daily basis to extract the best that nature has to offer.
It is impossible to mention each one of our permanent staff here, but their role is no less valued than those highlighted below.

Kallie Frey, head of our Olive Oil Operations, has been managing our orchards and oil production for the past 17 years. His quest to produce only the finest oils began with the preparation and planting of every tree and continues with balancing the subtlest nuance of flavours and aromas of each oil.
Ignatio Segura, specialist international EVOO consultant from Spain, devotes one month at the beginning of each harvest to ensure that De Rustica meets the highest international standards, both in the extraction process and the quality profiles of our oils. He draws on 30 years of experience in the global Olive oil industry to collaborate with Kallie on fine tuning our award-winning oils.


Kerneels Rabie is the driving force behind our regenerative farming practices, supporting our quest for sustainability with his meticulous approach to managing the supply and feed of water throughout the farm. Born and bred in Oudemuragie, Kerneels previously worked as a general farm labourer until the inception of De Rustica when he was promoted to become the farm’s water specialist. today he is our Water Systems Manager.
Derrick Campher, is a second generation employee who manages the intensive sheep operation on De Rustica. ‘Rampie’ is outspoken on all sheep matters, confident in the experience and knowledge that he gained from helping his father out during holidays as a schoolboy. He is now the Manager of our flocks.


Similarly Izak Damons “Rooibaard”, another second generation employee, has risen to become the Manager of De Rustica’s abattoir.
For any information about the farm, marketing and sales, Louwrens Storm is our person of contact (sales@derustica.co.za). As Sales Manager for De Rustica, Louwrens knows all there is to know about our products, and how to get them to you.

BROADER COMMUNITY
At De Rustica, we believe that investing in our community is the best way to sow the seeds for a brighter future. This is one of the cornerstones of our commitment to building a sustainable farming venture, and ensuring a future for generations to come. Our goal is to create a positive ripple effect, where economic growth and community well-being go hand in hand
We believe that everything starts on a solid foundation, and the Jubilee Montessori Oudemuragie Kleuterskool where children on the farm, and in the valley, begin their journey, is just that. Our partnership with the Western Cape Department of Education ensures that all 2-6 year old’s have access to foundation phase learning with qualified teachers, meals and educational facilities. And we provide the transport to get them to and from school.
Reports from our local schools confirm that this phase of learning is crucial in preparing children for the formal education system, and by all accounts our efforts are doing just that.
Taking our commitment deeper into the Community, we’ve taken old, unused community halls and turned them into lively spaces where people can gather. For church gatherings, local meetings, creche services, and educational programmes. It’s all about bringing the community together and providing essential services.
Since 2011 De Rustica has sponsored a soccer team consisting of employees, their children and residents of De Rust. The team competes in the ‘Promotional League’ that plays every Saturday in the local district of Oudtshoorn, Dysseldorp and De Rust. Our team has a huge local following, and each game is a big event.
De Rustica is also one of the sponsors of the annual Meiringspoort Half Marathon that takes place in October every year. While our athletic employees are given the opportunity to put themselves to the test, many of our other staff rally together to provide sustenance and support from the sidelines. Whether they are offering snacks and refreshments to the 1500 odd competitors, or running to secure a place in the top ten, everyone who participates enjoys and looks forward to this event.