Our Sunland trees make up a very small percentage of our total orchard. They are early-leafing trees that produce large nuts with plump, light kernels. They produce fruit with a high kernel to shell ratio.
Our beautiful orchards are situated on the banks of the Orange River, the longest river in the country.
74 000 trees were planted on Rotondo between 2000 and 2005. The majority originate from Spanish root stock. They have been adapted to suit the growing conditions here in the Southern hemisphere.
The main varietal of walnut trees established at Rotondo are:
74 000 trees were planted on Rotondo between 2000 and 2005. The majority originate from Spanish root stock. They have been adapted to suit the growing conditions here in the Southern hemisphere.
The main varietal of walnut trees established at Rotondo are:
We have a small number of Fernette, Amigo, Chico and Sorento trees which serve chiefly as pollinators.
At Rotondo we believe passionately in the concept of regenerative farming techniques. In 2020 we added a large scale composting program to our farm which is beginning to bear fruit in the quality of our orchard soil. We have also recently introduced sheep and cover crop to our orchards. They provide a valuable addition to the farm as both extremely efficient lawn mowers but also by the extra manure and slow-release fertilisers they add to our soil.
At Rotondo we believe passionately in the concept of regenerative farming techniques. In 2020 we added a large scale composting program to our farm which is beginning to bear fruit in the quality of our orchard soil. We have also recently introduced sheep and cover crop to our orchards. They provide a valuable addition to the farm as both extremely efficient lawn mowers but also by the extra manure and slow-release fertilisers they add to our soil.
Our Team
Get To Know Our Team
Chris Edwards
Chris spent 20 years working in corporate strategy and complex deal negotiations in the US, Europe, South America. Since then
Adam Prowse
Adam is a partner in Rotondo and has been walnut farming since 2014. He agreed to take ownership of all
Penney Edwards
Penney has been a frustrated farmer for years creating urban farms wherever she has lived. Now that she finds herself
Graeme Edwards
Graeme is a non-executive board member. He is also a partner at an investment management company. He spent many years
Lukas Van Zyl
Lukas, our Head Agriculturist, obtained his M.Sc. Agric in Horticulture from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. He
Ayanda Fiki
Before joining Rotondo in 2014 Ayanda had a career in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He was quickly promoted to
Didier Botes
Didier proudly manages Africa’s largest walnut orchard. As Head Orchard Manager he ensures the orchard continues to develop and produces
Archie Ramatseo
In 2018 Archie joined Rotondo in the Orchard team. He was responsible for harvesting and maintenance. His expertise and diligence
Kadefunwa Ntantiso (Stalie)
Stalie began working on Rotondo in 2002. He has spent most of his career in our orchards and is skilled
Nduduzo Maseko
Nduduzo obtained a MSc in Horticulture from the University of Limpopo in 2018. He joined the Rotondo team in 2019
Nkosana Makae
Makae is a born and raised Aliwal North local. He joined Rotondo in 2002 directly after school. He has worked
Ntobeko Ndondo
Ntobeko joined Rotondo in 2019. He was initially one of the forklift drivers in the Processing Unit and in August
Andile Nkomana
Andile’s tertiary qualifications in Information Technology has been helpful for his role as Stock Manager and Processing Coordinator on Rotondo.
Mmamoso Malatji
Mmamoso Studied at University of Limpopo and obtained qualification in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Plant Production). She has worked
Max Lewis
Max is the Maintenance Manager. He arrived at Rotondo in 2023 from Parys. He is a qualified Red Seal diesel
Deandre Botes
Deandre started with us early in 2022. He brought his experience in network cabling and security cameras and general understanding
Dean Hobson
We are fortunate to have Dean Hobson as an ‘honouree’ member of Rotondo. He has bought a very successful sheep
Pearl Heynes
Pearly has many years of experience in Sales and Administration. She started her career as photo-processor in 1994. She moved
Thekla Fourie
Thekla joined Rotondo in 2021 with many years of accounting experience in hand. Her diligence, honesty and tenacity are perfect
Lynn Horak
Lynn joined the Rotondo team in 2021 bringing international experience in business administration and human resources. She has worked in
Stacey Spilsbury
Stacey is our Marketing and Sales Manager. She is passionate about walnuts anf loves farming, health and wellness. It is