Our Farms and History
Our family currently owns and operates four distinctive farms across South Africa: Ziphi Izilwane in Dinokeng, Gauteng; Veelwater in Prince Albert, Western Cape; and Laconic Farmstead and Dexsim Farmstead in Fisanthoek. Dex-Sty, located at Dexsim Farmstead, forms part of this growing agricultural family.
Each farm has its own character, purpose and story. Together, they support their surrounding communities through fresh, responsibly produced food, sustainable farming practices and meaningful employment opportunities.
ZIPHI IZILWANE
dinokeng, gauteng
There is something enduring about the African bushveld—the quiet of an early morning, the scent of rain on dry earth and the sight of wildlife moving through the veld. At Ziphi Izilwane, our connection to this landscape lies at the heart of who we are.
Situated in the Dinokeng area, approximately 60 kilometres from Pretoria, our privately owned, 910-hectare farm grew from one man’s love for the bush and a vision to care for it. Today, its story brings together wildlife, agricultural heritage and a commitment to looking after the land.
Our beginnings were modest. In 2012, Lucas van der Merwe purchased the original 28-hectare property. Drawn to the character of the area and its natural beauty, he gradually acquired adjoining land, expanding Ziphi Izilwane into the farm it is today. With that growth came a clear responsibility: to give the bush the time, space and careful management it needs to flourish.
This approach continues to shape the farm. Preventing overgrazing and allowing the veld to recover are central to caring for its natural habitats. From the outset, Lucas also introduced a policy of preserving existing trees, ensuring that cultivated fields were planned around them. It is a practical expression of a belief that has guided Ziphi Izilwane from the beginning: the land’s natural character deserves to be protected.
Wildlife holds a special place in our story. Over the years, the farm has been home to sable, nyala, gemsbok, black impala and King wildebeest. Breeding initiatives have formed part of this journey, with each new generation bringing opportunities to learn and a deeper appreciation for the animals in our care. Behind these efforts is the ongoing work of maintaining healthy veld and managing the resources that sustain it.
Agriculture is another important thread in our history. Cattle and sheep farming have formed part of life at Ziphi Izilwane, while maize, teff, oats and sorghum have been produced in the past to support animal feeding programmes. These activities have helped shape our understanding of the land, its seasonal rhythms and the care required to work with it responsibly.
Resourcefulness is woven into everyday life on the farm. Solar power supplies our operations, including boreholes and dam pumps, while carefully positioned dams help capture seasonal rainfall. Lucas and his team have devoted considerable thought and effort to these systems, recognising the value of water and the importance of making thoughtful use of natural resources.
The people behind Ziphi Izilwane are equally part of its story. Their knowledge, dedication and daily work have supported its growth over the years. Past initiatives, including a vegetable garden established to provide fresh produce for employees and their families, reflect the care that extends beyond the veld to the people connected to it.
What began with 28 hectares has become a lasting commitment to a much larger landscape. As Ziphi Izilwane continues to evolve, our purpose remains grounded in the same values that inspired its beginnings: care for the land, respect for its wildlife and an appreciation for the people who help it thrive. We are proud to share that story and the love for the bushveld that continues to shape it.
About Us
Laconic, Dexsim & Dex-Sty Farmsteads
Plettenberg bay, western cape
About Us
In the heart of the Western Cape’s Garden Route, Laconic Farmstead is home to the van der Merwe family and a way of life built around self-sufficiency, thoughtful farming and care for the natural environment.
Our journey began in 2024, when we exchanged the pace of city life for the rhythms of the farm. Since then, our vision has grown to include three farmsteads, each with its own focus and a shared purpose: to produce more of what we need, make better use of what we have and care for the land that sustains us.
For our family, self-sufficiency is an ongoing, practical commitment. It shapes how we raise our animals, grow our food and use the resources available to us. Across our Garden Route farms, we follow a “full circle” approach, finding ways for one part of the farm to support another and putting useful by-products back to work.
At Laconic Farmstead, free-range chickens help control ticks in the fields while providing fresh eggs. Our livestock contribute to our supply of meat and milk, and a sizeable vegetable garden and fruit-growing areas provide produce for our table. These everyday connections bring us closer to the food we eat and deepen our understanding of the care required to produce it.
Our bees are part of this story, too. We harvest honey with a distinctive flavour reminiscent of caramel, and use the beeswax to make candles, body butter and lip balms. It is a simple example of our approach: appreciating each resource and exploring its uses.
Our latest project is a biogas system designed to turn animal manure into useful energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser. The aim is to return the resulting slurry to our vegetable garden and fields, while using the gas to fuel suitable cooking, heating and refrigeration equipment. This project represents another step towards making our farms more resource-efficient and independent.
In 2025, we expanded our farming journey with the addition of Dexsim Farmstead, situated close to Laconic. Its primary focus is crossbreeding Dexter and Simmentaler cattle, with the goal of developing a hardy, efficient, medium-sized animal. The breeding programme aims to combine the Dexter’s smaller frame, modest maintenance needs and efficient use of forage with the Simmentaler’s growth, muscling and milk production.
Dex-Sty, established in 2026, is the newest addition to our family’s farming portfolio. With a primary focus on pig breeding, it adds another area of specialisation to our broader vision for self-sufficient farming.
Each farm is set up to operate independently, reflecting our commitment to meeting our own needs and reducing reliance on external services. Alongside that independence comes a responsibility to care for our animals, use resources thoughtfully and respect the natural environment around us.
We are proud of what we are building, while recognising that farming always offers something new to learn. Our aim is to keep improving—in how we farm, how we care for our surroundings and what we contribute to those around us.
Veelwater Farm
Prince Albert, Western Cape
Our History
Dumascus is a historic farm situated in the Weltevrede Valley just outside of Prince Albert in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The farm has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century when it was first established as a grazing ground for local farmers.
The original owners of the farm were the Van der Merwe family, who had settled in the area in the late 1700s. They built a small farmhouse on the property, which served as their home and base of operations for their agricultural activities.
In the mid-1800s, the farm was sold to the renowned South African politician and statesman, Jan Christiaan Smuts. Smuts was a prominent figure in South Africa politics during the early 20th century and played a key role in the country’s struggle for independence from Britain.
During Smut’s death in 1950, the farm was sold to local farmers, who continued to use it for agricultural purposes. However, in the 1980s, the farm was purchased by a conservationist who recognized its ecological value and worked to restore it to its natural state.
Our Story
Today, Damascus is an important part of South African history and is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage. Its scenic beauty and historical significance make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and culture of South Africa.
We are proudly taking it back into a new Van Der Merwe Family, and are restoring the farm to all new heights with many exciting projects on the go. Aptly renamed VeelWater Farm, our first endeavor was Elijah’s Olive Oil – offering a richness and purity into the world of Olive Oil. The farm yields between 20 and 30 tons of olives each year with the tree’s nestled beneath the majestic mountains of the Swartberg Pass.
The majority of the harvest is sold to a neighbouring farm, and against the world’s biggest producers they have won best single varietal olive oil in a blind taste test of over 1000 olive oils. This year we have chosen to keep 750 bottles all to ourselves, meaning you are now sharing in our best kept secret, our nectar of golden oil produced with all the love and beauty the Karoo has to offer.
We also produce Elijah’s Honeybee, a rich Karoo fynbos honey harvested from our Veelwater hives.
"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." — Rachel Carson
