It all began with a simple pot of bone broth at home. For Smaragda Krynauw and Daniel Badenhorst from Wellington in the Western Cape, however, that humble kitchen habit turned into something more.
By using leftover tallow, the fat rendered from bone broth, they created Smeervet, a skin-friendly product crafted with care. Today, their newly launched range is all about giving everyday fat a fresh purpose: nourishing, homemade, and proudly local.
The journey started in early 2024, when Krynauw began exploring more sustainable and natural ways of living, trying to get the most out of every ingredient.
The idea for Smeervet was born from frustration with shop-bought products. “I just got tired of buying things that claimed to be ‘natural’ – only to find ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce.”
So she started making her own: for herself, her children, and her community, realising that she loved it.
She started making bone broth to drink each morning, and during the process, she noticed a layer of tallow forming at the top. Curious about its potential, she began researching and experimenting, which ultimately sparked the beginning of Smeervet.
“Being someone who loves homesteading, I love making things from scratch for myself and my family,” she explains.
Tallow, she explains, is a nutrient-dense fat rendered from suet – the cleanest, most prized fat found around a cow’s kidneys. It is said to be rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, and naturally anti-inflammatory. It can be used in cooking, skincare, and even household products.
Smeervet is made using only 100% grass-fed, free-range, organic beef suet.
“We don’t bleach it. We don’t deodorise it. We don’t cut it with seed oils. It’s fat in its purest, most honest form. Just like our oumas used to make.”
Smaragda Krynauw
Krynauw says the key lies in keeping the process simple. By not over-processing the tallow, it retains all its natural benefits. Everything is handmade in small batches and carefully hand-packed. Their first product, Pure Tallow, can be used for cooking or as a base for other items, like their second product, the Whipped Tallow Balm.
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Proudly moulded with heritage and heart
The name itself is a proudly Afrikaans play on words. “Tallow is rendered beef fat – or in Afrikaans, vet. And this is fat, you smear it on your body.”
To bring Smeervet to life, Krynauw sources raw, local materials. The beef suet comes from an organic, free-range farmer based in Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape.
“Tallow only has one ingredient. The rest is time, patience, love, and care.”
Although still operating informally, the duo have registered their business, Smag’da Distributors, and launched an online shop. They also plan to open a physical store next to Breezy Hill Pub in Paarl by the end of August.
So far, most of their customers have come through word of mouth, starting with family and friends. Only recently have they ventured into online sales and social media.
Laughing, she shares, “I’ve been working from home. I have six-year-old twins, and they’ve started complaining that the house constantly smells of beef fat. So from August, we’re moving to a small facility to make production easier.”
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Believing in your product
She admits that starting a brand is daunting. “But when you believe in something and it brings you so much joy, knowing the difference you and the product can make in people’s lives, you have to chase it.”
At present, Smeervet offers Pure Tallow for cooking, skincare, and household use. They also have a Whipped Tallow Balm enriched with jojoba oil and essential oils, ideal for moisturising. They plan to add a tallow cleanser, leather balm, and boerseep.
With Smeervet, you can fry eggs, roast vegetables, and cook boerewors. It also works wonders on dry skin, cracked heels, baby bums, and tattoos. Free from preservatives, seed oils, and chemical additives, it is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin, says Krynauw.
Each jar is produced and packaged locally in Wellington, with a focus on sustainability, transparency, and supporting regenerative farming practices.
“My mission is to bring back the wisdom of traditional wellness in a modern, proudly South African way.”
A brand with deep roots
While she has big plans for the brand, Krynauw insists she’ll always keep it handmade.
Community is at the heart of the business. As chairperson of the Wellington Rugby Club, Smaragda is no stranger to grassroots grit. “I want Smeervet to give back and to create local jobs, support other small producers, and teach people to live slower and more consciously.”
Still, it hasn’t been all smooth. Finding a consistent supply of high-quality suet was tougher than expected. “Finding a sustainable supplier who actually understands what we need took time. And time is the one thing I never have enough of.”
Looking ahead, she dreams of seeing Smeervet on shelves in speciality shops, at farmers’ markets, and even being exported internationally.
“When someone opens a jar, I want them to feel grounded. To feel like this is what life is supposed to taste and smell like.”
Along the way, she’s discovered much about herself. “I’ve learned to back myself, even when I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve learned how to be scrappy, how to be soft, and how to be bloody tired, but still excited. I’ve learned that I don’t need anyone’s permission to build something meaningful.”
Her next goal is to see her brand right next to jam, biltong, and rooibos products.
“I want to grow slowly, but boldly. More products and scents. More education and community. Solid perfumes, kids’ balm and maybe even different blends. All still handmade. All still clean.”
Firmly rooted in Wellington, she says what would make her happiest is to see Smeervet grow and create jobs, especially for local women. “I want to train and empower them, and give them something to feel proud of,” she says.
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