“I didn’t choose to become a farmer – I was born and raised to be one,” says Lollie Rossouw, a remarkable farmer on Goedgedacht in Delmas, Mpumalanga. Her journey is one of deep roots, resilience, and a special partnership with Absa Agribusiness, which has helped her and her family thrive against all odds.
Rossouw was born in Benoni, Gauteng, but moved to Delmas with her family in 1977 when she was just five years old.
“My dad wasn’t privileged to have an irrigation farm, so we were dryland farmers. I learned early on that you work with what you have, make do, and give your best,” she says.
That philosophy became a guiding principle in her life as she witnessed her parents’ work ethic and determination.
In 1994, Rossouw and her late husband bought the land on which she now farms.
“We were a young couple, full of dreams, starting small and building from one irrigation system to another.”
Her early farming years mirrored the lessons she had learned from her parents: contentment, hard work, and faith. As they grew their business, they planted peas, sweet corn, potatoes, and maize, mainly for frozen markets, while selling unwashed potatoes to local vendors fresh from the farm.
But life took an unexpected turn when Rossouw’s husband passed away. “Suddenly, I had to step into his shoes, carry the weight of the business, and be a pillar for my children. It wasn’t easy,” she recalls.
Yet, she made a bold decision: she wouldn’t sell the farm. “My children and I made a choice. We chose to hold on to our dreams and the legacy we had built together.”
Support that cultivates success
With her determination came a profound reliance on her banking partner, Absa.
“I’m proud to say that I’m an Absa client,” Rossouw shares. “They don’t shy away when there’s risk. If the potato yield falls short, they don’t panic or push me to sell the farm. Instead, they walk the journey with me.”
Her relationship with Absa Agribusiness is more than a business transaction. It’s a partnership built on trust and shared values.
“Absa sees me as a woman, as a farmer, and as someone capable of running a large-scale commercial farm. They’ve empowered me to not only sustain our business but to continue dreaming for my children and our community,” she says.
The bank’s personal involvement in her business has been key to her success, providing refinancing options and standing by her through good and tough seasons.
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Rossouw’s heart for her community runs deep. “Farming is not just about me. It’s about what I can do for my children and my community.”
She believes in the power of local connections, employing women from nearby areas who start their day early and work hard to pack the farm’s fresh produce for the market.
Reflecting on her journey, Rossouw shares, “I didn’t choose farming, but I can look back and say it was worth it. I believe in farming, in the future, and in this country.” Through all the highs and lows, she has kept her faith and her commitment to excellence.
With Absa Agribusiness by her side, Rossouw continues to farm with passion, ensuring her business remains a legacy for her children and an asset to her community. “We take it step by step, doing our best every day, so that we can continue farming with excellence,” she says.
Rossouw’s story is one of resilience, community, and the strength of a trusted partnership, proof that even through life’s challenges, dreams can grow – just like the crops on her land.
- Click on this link to download the Absa AgriTrends report, which highlights South Africa’s agricultural export landscape and how the sector is adapting to global challenges. Ready to get smart AgriBusiness banking solutions? Click here.
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