Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
90.9 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
42
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
This project has been a coming back to nature for us. We often have friends and friends of friends visiting, who experience the connection with nature and we would like to extend this invitation to a wider range of people. We have a vision of the farm slowly developing into a community. Electricity comes from the sun, water from the mountain and we produce a large portion of the food we consume. It has been a life long dream for us, but the realisation of this dream is not without its challenges.
There are currently 7 of us living here. Mark (Father, soil scientist, businessman) and Sue (Mother, physiotherapist, tree popper), Thandu (father, operator of machinery and in-charge of the citrus orchard), Natasha (mother, part-time cheese maker and general helper), Tianna (daughter of Thandu and Natasha), Denzil (father, fixer of bikes, supports Thandu in farming activities.), Neil (father, in charge of everything engineering on the farm)
The primary activities on the farm are the olive grove and mandarin orchard. We have a variety of fruit trees, a veggie garden and bee hives. Our cow, Mirabel, who provided us with milk which we made into cheese and yoghurt, sadly left us in June 2022. She gave us two heifers - Brie and Blondie. We are hoping that Brie with take over milk provision as from April 2023.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The traveler will learn the skills required to do the various activities on the farm. Enjoy time here where there are great mountain biking tracks, great hiking and amazing scenery. We are not easily accessible to shops and cultural life in town.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The help would be assisting with general farm maintenance. This ranges from working in the house, assisting with cooking and cleaning to weeding in the nursery and veggie garden; from pulling out invasive plants to assisting with the bees. The cows and vegetable garden require daily attention and there is sometimes cheese to be made.
We are having a break from building, but there is always maintenance to be done.
We harvest our water from the mountain and the solar panel system supply our electricity, these sometimes need maintenance work done.
Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
Xhosa: Intermediate
Accommodation
There is a spare room in the main house. If there was more than one volunteer they would need to share a room and bathroom. There is also the option to stay in a detached wooden cabin, this would be pleasant in Summer.
What else ...
The farm is a 2 hour drive from Cape Town. Getting here is tricky but we do our best to assist. The farm is reasonably isolated and so the volunteer would need to be happy on their own. We have bikes and great mountain biking tracks, great hiking and scenery. We sometimes go into Worcester for events, but mostly we spend our time quietly on the farm.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Host ref number: 415152419524
Feedback (17)
21/09/2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Jolan)
Jolan spent about 5 weeks in our community, in May / June 2022. We found him to be enthusiastic, full of energy and with some interesting experience and skills. He fitted in very well, and threw himself into tasks, as well as enjoying what our environment has to offer.......... Mark's mountain bike was thoroughly put to the test.
He assisted… read more
He assisted… read more
(Excellent
)
21/11/2021
We had an amazing time at this place. We loved our private stay away from the city. We learned allot from Sue about making our own food, it was delicious! We enjoyed our chats with Mark who we had many interesting conversations with. Ever since going we have had a different outlook on sustainable living. We left this workaway feeling very… read more
14/09/2021
I spent just under 4 weeks with Mark and Sue. They immediately opened their homes, Sue allowed me free reign of the kitchen to make food which was appreciated. There is a clear sense of community on the farm that includes the workers instead of excluding them as on most farms in South Africa. During my time I helped Thandu and Denzel with fencing… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.6)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
21/09/2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Jolan)
Jolan spent about 5 weeks in our community, in May / June 2022. We found him to be enthusiastic, full of energy and with some interesting experience and skills. He fitted in very well, and threw himself into tasks, as well as enjoying what our environment has to offer.......... Mark's mountain bike was thoroughly put to the test.
He assisted… read more
He assisted… read more
(Excellent
)
21/11/2021
Left by Workawayer (Tahira & Rocco) for host
We had an amazing time at this place. We loved our private stay away from the city. We learned allot from Sue about making our own food, it was delicious! We enjoyed our chats with Mark who we had many interesting conversations with. Ever since going we have had a different outlook on sustainable living. We left this workaway feeling very… read more
14/09/2021
Left by Workawayer (Emile) for host
I spent just under 4 weeks with Mark and Sue. They immediately opened their homes, Sue allowed me free reign of the kitchen to make food which was appreciated. There is a clear sense of community on the farm that includes the workers instead of excluding them as on most farms in South Africa. During my time I helped Thandu and Denzel with fencing… read more
28/08/2021
Left by Workawayer (Erich & Alna) for host
We had a very memorable and enjoyable time with Mark and Sue. Thank you very much for your hospitality, exquisite meals, variety of activities, and what we could learn from you. Alna especially enjoyed making cheese, baking bread, preparing meals and playing with Tiana 😀. Erich had fun harvesting honey, picking mandarins, whacking wattles and… read more
24/07/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Erich & Alna)
We really enjoyed hosting Erich and Alma - they fitted into our life here with ease, and threw themselves into tasks with enthusiasm. Erich made a significant contribution to our mandarin harvest and tackled the black wattle infestations with passion, as well as exploring the mountains extensively. Alma cleaned our house, as well as the two… read more
(Excellent
)
24/07/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Pierre)
Wow - what a bundle of positive energy and enthusiasm. Pierre was an absolute pleasure to host and threw himself into farm activities with vigour. He was involved in the vege garden, the early morning milking routine; made a solid contribution to our citrus harvest, and helped with alien clearing. He is a passionate and creative cook, and used the… read more
(Excellent
)
24/07/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Johan)
I enjoyed having Johan. He is a very quiet and unobtrusive presence, and is happy to plug away at routine and mundane tasks, which he tackled with commitment. For example he became a most effective mouse-in-the-vege-garden trapper, systematically worked at clearing grass around trees in the orchard and faithfully cleaned out the cowshed every day.… read more
(Very good
)
24/07/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Armel)
Armel was great fun to have around. He is enthusiastic and helpful, and got involved in our farm routine with gusto. I highly recommend him as a a volunteer.
(Excellent
)
24/07/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Andrea & Daniel)
We really enjoyed having this family of four in our space. They are considerate, hard working and have a lot to offer. They threw themselves into the farm routine, getting involved in alien clearing, bread making, assisting with the milking routine to name a few.
(Excellent
)
05/07/2021
Left by Workawayer (Andrea & Daniel) for host
As a family of four, we enjoyed our time at the farm. Our children enjoyed the freedom to roam and it was great to have Tiaana to play with. Sue and Mark welcomed us into their home where we enjoyed an abundance of food, generosity and great conversation. It was an inspiration to see true self-sustainability in action!
21/10/2020
Left by Workawayer (Aimee & Edrich) for host
We spent two weeks on the farm, helping with outdoor activities and learning about bees/ cheesemaking/ invasive plants which was a great experience for us. The accommodation and meals were great and we enjoyed the breathtaking views on the farm. There are many projects to keep you busy, we would definitely recommend this Workaway… read more
12/08/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Hugo)
Hugo came for a month and Covid19 kept him here for 5 months! it could have been testing for both him and ourselves being locked down on the farm, but he proved himself to be a worthy ChiCharero ( forgive spelling ..... a Canary Islander). He fitted in so well that he has taken on honorary status as a member of our family ! Having travelled… read more
(Excellent
)
19/07/2020
Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host
I could write such and extense review after living with this amazing people that turned my family during almost the 5 months of Covid-19 lock down. However, I'll try to do it in a few simple words: you will never regret if you decide to volunteer at this place: I had my own private little cottage right in front of a dam where I swam the warmest… read more
01/04/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Emily Rose)
Emily was a pleasure to host. She is engaging, well informed and enthusiastic about tasks. She got involved in many different aspects of our farm life and truly made a valuable contribution.
(Excellent
)
01/04/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Udo & Sabine)
Boy, were we sad to say good bye to this wonderful couple, after the agreed two weeks! We thoroughly enjoyed having them here, and are grateful for all the help they gave us. A few days before they left, we discovered that Udo is a dab hand at plumbing, and Pony is a whizz with the sewing machine!! What a pleasure to deplete the mending pile!!
(Excellent
)
04/12/2019
Left by Workawayer (Udo & Sabine) for host
This farm is fantastic. If you want to get an idea about suistanable farming you are right here: beehives, making cheese, work in a vegetable permacultur garden, maintenance at the buildings and a lot more. Surounded by an magnificent nature we felt like being a part of this.
We slept in a comfortable cottage with a huge window so we could see… read more
We slept in a comfortable cottage with a huge window so we could see… read more
01/04/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Rebecca)
Rebecca spent two weeks with us - we enjoyed her engaging and dynamic personality. She worked incredibly hard at projects that she put her mind to, and blew our minds with her culinary skills. We had a number of completely delicious meals. Thank you Rebecca
(Very good
)
01/04/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Paula)
Paula was a quiet but very hardworking member of our community for almost a month. During this time she tackled routine tasks, as well as a few quite heavy assignments with great commitment and dedication.
(Very good
)
01/04/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Cecily)
We thoroughly enjoyed having Cecily and Lennert to stay. They fitted in well, were enthusiastic about tasks allocated and poured their energy into a number of creative projects - among others a cider press and a solar oven.
(Excellent
)
03/08/2019
Left by Workawayer (Pablo) for host
It's hard to be brief when commending the farm for all its organisational virtue, but I'll do my best! The two wonderful Easter weeks I spent at Fijnveld where really enjoyable and fulfilling. In my travels in the Cape it was probably the industriously developed farm in which I volunteered and a massive inspiration towards reaching a personal… read more
09/02/2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Sean)
Sean was with us for a month, which flew by. He is a great guest - easygoing and happy to get involved in whatever needs doing. He helped with chores, got involved in building projects as well as the never ending task of clearing alien trees off the mountain. I recommend him as a workaway guest.
(Excellent
)
18/01/2019
Left by Workawayer (Sean) for host
I spent a month on the farm with everyone and had an absolutely incredible time!! Though this review comes far too late, most of the work was working with Neil on his mud brick house on the mountain. To say I'm jealous of this house would be an understatement, I hope you've moved in comfortably now Neil! Other tasks involved pulling out the… read more
02/11/2018
Left by Workawayer (Elin) for host
Was wonderful to learn so much about the area and the country...great meals and conversations. Loved learning about and spending time in the Feinbos...and helping to eradicate invasives. And the cheesemaking was a great experience. Many thanks for hosting me and the hike into the hills was a highlight, thank you Mark. Miss those walks with Django… read more
06/04/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Elin)
Elin was a wonderful guest / volunteer. she happily got involved in tasks and came back looking for more when those were finished. She seemed to relish the variety of tasks we tackled together.
(Very good
)
28/09/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Joany)
Joany was a great guest at our farm. She is a willing worker and a wonderful cook. She threw herself into her various tasks with enthusiasm ......... she holds the workaway record for the highest number of clay bricks made in a day; she took on the endless task of alien tree pulling in the stream with gusto; she spent a number of truly tiring days… read more
(Excellent
)
19/08/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Scott)
Scott was with us for an extended period, so had time to build relationships with all members of our team. He was a most pleasant person to have around and made a valuable contribution to our community. From building at Neil's place; alien clearing; olive picking ......... music making ...... we had good fun together
(Excellent
)
10/07/2018
Left by Workawayer (Scott) for host
I spent about a month on this beautiful farm and absolutely loved it. I was very impressed by the whole family and crew. The farm is almost entirely self-sufficient, with power generated by the sun and water tapped from a mountain spring, and lots of fruits and vegetables from the ground. The work was various, satisfying, and instructive. At the… read more
19/08/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (NAEL )
Wow, Nael was with us for a month and was a pleasure to host. He is a very willing worker and looked for ways that he could contribute to our community life. Taking on dog feeding; morning and evening fire lighting for a start. He got involved in building; some orchard work as well as clearing of alien trees on the mountain.
(Excellent
)
08/08/2018
Left by Workawayer (NAEL ) for host
I spent five weeks, with enough rain for Mark's delight, on the farm trying to help what was possible, but much more learning. Thank you very much for the hospitality of Mark and Sue and for the good friends I made in South Africa. I hope one day return to visit them and reminisce the good times and of course, throw stick to Django and Bella,… read more
06/04/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Morgane)
Morgane was great fun to host! She went all out to learn as much as she could, get involved in as many different tasks as possible. We enjoyed her free spirit and enquiring nature, as well as her enthusiasm and energy.
(Excellent
)
06/04/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Ujep)
Ujep seems a quiet and gentle soul. We enjoyed having him stay with us. He is a willing volunteer and at times came looking for a new task.
(Very good
)
06/04/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Jana)
Jana was with us for close to two months. She is a willing volunteer and relished getting involved in as many different activities as she could. She is fun to be with and all round, a pleasant presence in our home. She made an effort to integrate, and made friends with our whole team.
(Excellent
)
20/03/2018
Left by Workawayer (Jana) for host
Sue, Mark, Neill, Thandu, Desire, Zivy and Awake, thank you so much for the amazing 6 weeks on your farm. I am so glad having had the chance to be part of the lives of such embracing and friendly people.
I already miss the alien plant clearing sessions with Sue (who never gets tired ;-)), making cheese, helping out in the veggie garden, cooking… read more
I already miss the alien plant clearing sessions with Sue (who never gets tired ;-)), making cheese, helping out in the veggie garden, cooking… read more
06/04/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Ruby & Clem)
Ruby and clem were great fun to host. Ruby got stuck into processing excess produce, something i struggle to get to. Clem is a machine! wow, he tackled some big and heavy tasks with gusto. We enjoyed having them visit
(Very good
)
06/04/2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Mikaela)
Mikaela was a pleasure to host - a willing volunteer who tackled tasks with gusto and endurance. I highly recommend her as a volunteer
(Very good
)
29/11/2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Mariah & Richard)
Richard and Mariah were a pleasure to host. They were committed and flexible. They worked hard and took responsibility for tasks they were given. Mariah added great value to the menu and was creative using the ingredients available. Richard's sourdough bread was magnificent!
(Excellent
)
27/11/2017
Left by Workawayer (Mariah & Richard) for host
We had a great 2 weeks with Sue Mark and Neil! Eating tons of veggies from the garden and lots of cheese was such a treat. Work was long and hard especially when it gets hot but at the end of the day it’s great to go swimming in the dam, relax on the deck and soak in the view.
Our advice: don’t throw anything away and don’t eat too many rusks!
Our advice: don’t throw anything away and don’t eat too many rusks!
18/09/2017
Left by Workawayer (Alex) for host
Such a great month spent on the fijnveld farm! What a treat to apply myself to rewarding work and share skills/ideas in such a beautiful environment. I was involved in so many different projects and got really comfortable living and working with everyone. This was exactly what I was looking for, I'll definitely be back for a visit in the future!… read more
15/09/2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Alex)
Alex was so great, i almost don't want to tell anyone else about him:) He makes a mean sourdough loaf and is a very willing worker. He learnt to milk the cow, helped with cheese making and did huge amounts in the veggie garden. He was happy to take responsibility for tasks and it was wonderful to be able to leave those to him. He is welcome back… read more
(Excellent
)
15/09/2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Lisa & Nicolás)
Lisa and Nicolas were great fun as visitors in our home. They made valuable contributions, were willing to work hard and we enjoyed learning about food customs and card games from Chile.
(Excellent
)
13/09/2017
Left by Workawayer (Lisa & Nicolás) for host
Good afternoon,
staying with Sue and Marc was really mind-opening. Nicolás, my partner, and I have been staying with Sue and Marc for about two weeks and came back a few weeks later but this time as friends.
Sue, Marc and Zivi whom you will most liekely meet on the farm, produce any kind of cheese from Cheddar to Gouda and Feta and as well… read more
staying with Sue and Marc was really mind-opening. Nicolás, my partner, and I have been staying with Sue and Marc for about two weeks and came back a few weeks later but this time as friends.
Sue, Marc and Zivi whom you will most liekely meet on the farm, produce any kind of cheese from Cheddar to Gouda and Feta and as well… read more
08/09/2017
Left by Workawayer (Marjolein) for host
Last summer I spend two weeks with this amazing family. Being in between the mountains was very special, the views are stunning and there is so much space!
Working with the olive and lemon trees and making cheese was a lot of fun. I learned loads of new facts, tips and tricks and recipes.
Dear Sue, Mark, Neil and Ant, (sorry for this super late… read more
Working with the olive and lemon trees and making cheese was a lot of fun. I learned loads of new facts, tips and tricks and recipes.
Dear Sue, Mark, Neil and Ant, (sorry for this super late… read more
