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Host rating
90 %
Last replied
23 Jul 2024
Reply rate
78.3 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
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Details
Description
We are wholesale growers for the plant nursery industry located in the pictures Lowveld area situated next to the Kruger National Park. We live and work on a small family farm close to White River Mpumalanga, I have 3 big Dobermans and a cat that lives in the house with me so you will have to be comfortable with close contact with them but not to worry you won't have to share a room with them. We are constantly upgrading and expanding our nursery and various other jobs are available. If you love plants and getting your hands dirty and a bronze tan then this is the workaway position for you. Please note that most of the chores are outdoors and in the sun, if you have a sensitive skin please come with waterproof sunscreen, we only have mild winters and you will still get sunburned this time of the year! We are also in the early stages of creating a permiculture area and would like to have some volunteers with some experience and or interested in this field to help achieve this project.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsLanguage practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsTeachingGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn a great deal about propagation, cultivation of plants while being outdoors in a very beautiful area in south africa. We are also currently working at becoming self sustainable so we have a lot of projects on the side to slowly but surely accomplish it.
Help
Description of help- volunteers will assist planting cuttings and seeds, the planting of various types of plants from seedling size into bags and pots, they will assist in fertilising of plants, maintenance on irrigation systems, general maintenance and construction of nursery. There is 20 active beehives that needs constant maintenance so if you have experience and knowledge in this field we would appreciate your assistance. We have a lot of other projects pending so if none of the above is what you are looking for let us know and we can discuss other projects that you might be interested in. We also trying hard to recycle everything left over from 6 families on the farm, a good cause that i think should be nr 1 priority on this PLANET for every individual .
Languages
Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Xhosa: Intermediate
Zulu: Intermediate
Dutch: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.Accommodation
We have accommodation for 8 volunteers, Accommodation is on the farm where the nursery is located next to a river. Woman will have a shared room with bathroom hot water and electricity with wifi inside the house, men will sleep in the men's dormitory with 4 beds, there is an outside shower and toilet, we have a maid taking care of washing the clothes. You will need to help with cleaning up, doing the dishes and preparing the food that I will provide Monday to Friday. There is no maid on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays and cleaning will be required by yourselves. If you like peace and quiet except for the frogs and bird noise then you will enjoy your stay on this farm maybe even spot the Hippo in the river.
What else ...
All volunteers from outside of South Africa are required to take travel insurance, South African volunteers needs medical aid. You will be required to sign an indemnity form on your arrival. The Lowveld area is well known for its beautiful landscapes and the world famous Kruger national park being close by, there's some really nice hiking trails and waterfalls, botanical garden, historical towns and fishing on the property. There is various ways of local transport to most of the places in the lowveld area, we also offer excursions and tours ourselves on weekends for volunteers to explore the mpumalanga area. Collecting and dropping you of for your stay will be arranged by us in White River area. Lowveld Link Travel for means of transport direct from O.R. Tambo International airport to White River. There's also flights available from O.R Thambo international Airport to Kmi airport in Whiteriver
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
We have ample space for campervans
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (65)
I mainly helped Pieter out in the nursery, clearing land, digging holes, building garden beds and basic landscaping. The work was physical, but I never felt that it was too… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
I mainly helped Pieter out in the nursery, clearing land, digging holes, building garden beds and basic landscaping. The work was physical, but I never felt that it was too… read more
I stayed around 3 and a half weeks.
The food Anja cooked was really great and they brought me to Pieters sister who also made really nice food.
They were nice to pick me up the first day and drop me off when I left.
The tasks were varied and sometimes a little hard, but far from too hard.
Felt I had a lot of free… read more
Thank you for the two months I spent at your nursery and farm. Also thanks to your Dad for the chats and your Moms kind heart and delicious oxtail and vetkoek. Appreciated the workouts with the bamboo and clearing of bush particularly. Loved the discussions with both of you. Thank you both for your generousity and dropping me off… read more
Did some physic work with Pieter, in fact both of them and… read more
I spent 5 weeks working with Anja and Pieter, although I could have stayed for many more months.
I had such a warm welcome from the dogs and Anja and Pieter. I especially loved working with Anja in the vegetable gardens, and nursery. Anja is so full of knowledge. I thought it was very interesting how she runs her irrigation… read more
I enjoyed my stay at the nursery immensely. It was a big change from my… read more
I've helped Anja and Pieter with various tasks and it was always exciting to learn and experience something new. Everyone will find their… read more
The work expected of the volunteers at the plant nursery is fair, varied and quite fun. Instructions were made clear, questions were welcomed and the three local workers were also… read more
Anja and Pieter are great hosts. Playing a round of Rummy with Pieter is almost a must! He also always has something exciting to tell :) With Anja I had unfortunately not so much to do, because she had to travel about a week after my… read more
There is much to see in… read more
I just want to say : “Come to work in this farm!”
Even if you don’t speak english very well, if you’re clamzy and you burnt chicken during brai/barbecue… but don’t worry when you will leave you will be a new person !
You just have to be motivated to work hard and not be afraid to get… read more
A huge experience in a huge country !
Pieter once asked me what I was going to regret ... i had no answer at that time ... I have got one now : my coffee in the so quite (though cold) morning with the sunrising .....unbelievable… read more
She adapted very well into the farmlife and was mainly working in the tree nursery to help us weeding, fertilising and moving plants. Give her free roaming in the kitchen and she creates lekker food.
She also got addicted… read more
I will always admire Pieter and Anja for their discipline, work ethic and organizational skills. They taught… read more
I worked mainly with Pieter to build the new workawayers area. I have done several different chores, mostly hard work, but always… read more
I stayed in the farm for three weeks but i could have stayed there for months. I’m grateful to have joint this family as my first stop in South Africa. They are friendly, honest and warm people. Always ready for laughing, coffees, barbecues, sport and hard work in the nursery.
They’ll help and guide you with anything you… read more
The place is very nice, in a beautiful environment, with a wonderful dam nearby. The work was hard at times but rewarding as we were building an area for the future workawayers, we could see our progress every day. Also got to learn a bit about plants at the nursery! Having the whole afternoon… read more
It's a wonderful place to stay: after… read more
She displayed a degree of maturity and enthusiasm uncommon for her age so her contribution was greatly appreciated. Sam easily picked up on the daily duties and helped us with different tasks in the plant nursery. It was a pleasure to meet you Sam. Good luck with your… read more
The work was alright, gardening is definitely not for the weak, but it makes you feel accomplished and leaves you with the rest of the day to explore the area or get some of your own work down. The food was great and the… read more
I learned a lot here, the work was very varied, from construction to planting, sometimes difficult but so rewarding. I enjoyed participating in the community life, making food for everyone (especially my best salads)
The place is wonderful,… read more
Anita is versatile and flexible, which is what you need to be on… read more
I worked mainly with Anja (from 7 am to 12 pm). My tasks consisted mainly of weeding, pruning plants,… read more
Jaco was always helpful and eager for… read more
Work started at 7 am and finished at 12 noon. I did a variety of tasks including weeding,… read more
Pete and his fiance Anya are excellent hosts. They are super friendly and reasonable people, who are always happy to help you with any questions. Great conversationists and competitive Rummie players - so perfect company in evenings after a long days work.
The food and accommodation is… read more
Each of them has knowledge in specific areas that they will gladly share with you. I had a wonderful month with them.
The work can be quite hard some days, but others will be lighter. It can vary depending on the day.
If you want… read more
So the farm itself is a little on the outside, you can only reach it… read more
Wonderful experience at the farm with Pieter! Definitely the best Workaway EVER!
I was supposed to stay a few weeks and finally worked two months and a half as the experience was awesome. Pieter… read more
The plant nursery is a beautiful and comfortable spot in a great landscape.
I've had my own room and bathroom with electricity, warm water and there was even Internet.
The work I did included leveling a construction area, setting up shade net cutting trees down… read more
We wanted to start our workaway journey with Pieter, because of all the workawayers that we’ve met so far, they told us that they had a great time and also an awesome experience.
Pieter is well… read more
We have worked in the vegetable garden to improve it with organic farming techniques. We cooked together using fresh products from the vegetable garden. It was a very nice experience that I recommend to everyone. Thanks Pieter, I wish you all the… read more
I can't, the only thing I can do is to tell you, pieter, how grateful I am for you to host me and letting me be a part of your farm for so long. Granted, i am only 21 and I still have a lot ahead of me, but these months seriously impacted me in… read more
I love cooking and baking and was happy that I was able to do my part in preparing and cooking food for lunch and dinner when I wished to.
I felt at home and the… read more
There is also the chance to visit the botanical gardens in Nelspruit on a free afternoon and… read more
Pieter is a good host :thumbsup:
The food is good and healthy and it is easy to feel at home in the beautiful house with… read more
He is living at an absolutely peaceful, relaxed area. We had some great swims at the dam next to his house and great evenings with a lot of talking and drinking. His dogs are the cutest dogs ever and always… read more
His mother's hearty food is not to be missed.
The work is hard, mainly because of the heat ( so be warned ), but fair.
Pieter's property is set in one of the most beautiful parts of South… read more
I've helped Pieter with various tasks and it was always exciting to learn and experience something new. Since this is a plant nurcery, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about plants, gardening and landscaping… read more
The plant nursery is a beautiful and comfortable spot in a great landscape.
I've had my own room and bathroom with electricity, warm water and there was even Internet.
The work I did included leveling a construction area, setting up shade nets, cutting down… read more
I got three meals a day - if Pieter wasn't cooking then I had access to the food and could could for myself. I had a room of my own… read more