About Us
Our Story
Heerlijk, hope & a dusty jar.
Heerlijk was born when a dusty jar of heirloom seed was found in an abandoned shed on the farm Skaterwater, near Bothaspas in KwaZulu-Natal, where Wiida grew up. With this in hand Erick and Wiida Badenhorst took a leap of faith leaving behind the familiar and started a new chapter in their lives.
Wiida never doubted her belief that her family’s tradition of crafting artisanal preserves in small batches was worth exploring further. Her mother, Elize Conradie’s refinement of a family recipe, resulted in her Nastergal/
Umsobo preserve becoming sought after and synonymous with exceptional quality and taste.
Erick on the other hand had a difficult decision to make. Following a sabbatical and on returning home having walked the Camino de Frances, he decided to bid his 30 year career as a lawyer farewell and to take the first step on a new journey with Wiida. This meant them returning to the countryside where Erick grew up. The berries are planted and harvested at the foothills of the Drakensberg in the Bergville District in
KwaZulu-Natal, at Oliviershoekpas.
Heerlijk today stands testimony to what is uniquely South African, its history, craftsmanship and the value of transferring skills from one generation to the next. Without the guidance of Wiida’s parents and the invaluable assistance of three generations of the Badenhorst family, Heerlijk would not have been possible.
Heerlijk ensures that a cherished tradition lives on with Erick and Wiida as the driving forces until the tradition will be continued by the next generation.
Heerlijk prides itself on its quest to continue crafting a truly South African delicacy which is second to none. Our hope is that
Heerlijk will continue to delight those familiar with the unique taste of its preserves and to surprise and excite those yet to discover this ultimate treat.
