Gerbrand Nijman (CEO Mardouw),Ald. Schalk van Eeden (Executive Mayor of Langeberg Municipality)
Gerbrand Nijman with Hélène Rekkers (The Dutch Consul-General)
Gerbrand Nijman (CEO of Mardouw), Marijke Verder (Owner of Mardouw), Dr. Ivan Meyer (Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism), André Verder (Owner of Mardouw), Wendy Petersen (CEO of SA Olive), Philip King (General Manager of Mardouw)
Mardouw Olive Estate, Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – In the presence of Dr. Ivan Meyer, Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism, Mardouw celebrated its highest achievements for South African Extra Virgin Olive Oil (“EVOO”) in 2024. Minister Meyer highlighted Mardouw as an exemplary model of how SME companies drive growth and exports for South Africa.
In his speech, Minister Meyer emphasised the necessity of investing in growth, exports, and infrastructure, outlining several concrete initiatives he plans to pursue to fulfill his ambitions.
He stated: “The Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs strategy is a comprehensive plan that includes strategies for job creation, economic diversification, and infrastructure development. By 2035, the Western Cape province aims to achieve a R1 trillion economy, triple its exports, and foster innovation by increasing research and development investment by 300%. Central to this strategy is attracting private-sector investment equal to 20% of regional GDP, or R200 billion, and boosting venture capital deals to R20 billion.”
Minister Meyer expressed pride in Mardouw’s accomplishments and its substantial contribution to the growing export of South African products. He explicitly thanked all staff, emphasising that “success, however, will not be possible without the passion and commitment of the staff.”
He pointed out that successful businesses like Mardouw Olive Estate are essential in advancing economic growth and job creation in the Western Cape Strategy.
Langeberg’s Alderman shared a similar sentiment. Schalk van Eeden, Executive Mayor of Langeberg Municipality, added: “I want to emphasise the importance of Mardouw’s global recognition for the attractiveness of the Langeberg region.”
André Verder, the 93-year-old founder of the Olive Estate, and his wife Marijke recounted how the journey began nearly 25 years ago. At 70 , André demonstrated that no one is too old to pursue an ambitious dream. “You need to be open-minded. We were the first to innovate with high-density plantings in South Africa based on in-depth research by Carlo Costa from Stellenbosch University.”
The Dutch Consul-General, Hélène Rekkers, underscored the importance of the robust economic relations between the Netherlands and South Africa and the long-lasting agricultural cooperation between the two nations. She remarked: “It is wonderful to see a Dutch family producing olive oil in South Africa that can compete globally. There is no better way to connect our nations.”
The CEO of Mardouw, Gerbrand Nijman, stated, “At Mardouw we have high standards of quality. This has been recognised worldwide with platinum and gold awards in Italy, France, USA, UK, Israel, Argentina and Japan. We have won the most SA Olive awards in the past three years and eight consecutive ABSA Top10 awards. This all resulted in being ranked number one in South Africa year after year and now no. 31 in the world by the official EVOO World Rankings. It is a testament to all involved’s dedication, collaboration, and passion.” Our ambition is to be in the top 20 within two years”.
At Mardouw, we collaborate to produce superior quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, proudly South African, making it available to all consumers through major retailers and expanding into export markets.