Meet
The Team

Nico grew up in Loeriesfontein on the same family farm where the date orchards stand today. Although dates became the future of the farm, his roots have always been in sheep farming and livestock.

Before returning home to take over the family farm, Nico spent many years working with citrus, table grapes and other fruit crops on large farms, where his passion for fruit production and agriculture continued to grow. After returning home, he wanted to build something different within the harsh Northern Cape climate while still continuing the family farming legacy.

Although many now know him by the nickname "Nico Dadel," he will still proudly tell people that in his heart he remains a sheep farmer.

Beyond the orchards themselves, what Nico values most is the people around him - creating opportunities within the community, building long-term relationships and leading a team that works together with pride and respect for one another.

There is no date orchard without Willem.

Willem has been part of the journey since 2008 and has worked alongside Nico through every challenge, season and stage of growth. Over the years, he has helped shape and perfect the orchards into what they are today.

He understands the trees, irrigation, climate and farming process in exceptional detail and plays a central role in maintaining the health and productivity of the orchards throughout the year.

Willem leads the farm team with experience, patience and pride in his work, and his dedication can be seen throughout the farm every single day.

He also has a loyal assistant named Fluffy, who keeps a close eye on the business and never misses the opportunity for a tractor or telehandler ride.

Manthia was one of the very first people to help lead the team when Lounic opened its own packing facility in 2015.

As the business grew, she grew alongside it - taking on greater responsibility while helping build the structure and rhythm of the packhouse floor from the ground up.

Today, she oversees the daily packhouse operations and manages the movement of staff, sorting lines and production flow to ensure every order is completed correctly and on time.

She knows dates better than most and can often identify size and grade at a glance - no scale needed.

Manthia takes enormous pride in her work and in the role she has played in helping the packing facility grow into what it is today. Her strong leadership, attention to detail, quality control and commitment to high standards make her an essential part of the Lounic team.

Johan, the son of Nico Louw, plays a major role in the administration and operational side of the business.

He manages paperwork, invoicing, financial administration and much of the day-to-day coordination required to keep the business running smoothly behind the scenes. From organising transport and scheduling shipments to handling the many details involved in larger orders, Johan helps ensure that every moving part comes together as it should.

Working closely with transport companies, suppliers and key customers, he takes a practical and organised approach to problem-solving, always willing to step in wherever needed. His attention to detail and sense of responsibility help keep operations running efficiently, even during the busiest parts of the season.

As part of the next generation of Lounic Boerdery, Johan takes pride in contributing to a family business built on hard work, trust and commitment. While much of his work happens behind the scenes, his dedication plays an important role in helping deliver the quality and reliability that Lounic Boerdery strives to provide every day.

Alida manages sales coordination, orders, stock movement and dispatch preparation within the packhouse.

From receiving dates and recording weights to ensuring customer orders are packed correctly and shipped to the right destinations, she helps keep the flow of product organised throughout the business.

She works closely with both the production and logistics side of the operation to make sure customer requirements are met accurately and efficiently.

For many customers, Alida is also the main point of communication and one of the first friendly voices behind Lounic Boerdery.

Her organisation, consistency and ability to manage multiple moving parts at once make her a key part of the team.

Marli recently joined the Lounic team and is involved in both marketing and sales.

She manages much of the business's advertising, social media presence and customer communication while helping introduce Lounic Boerdery to new markets and opportunities.

Alongside the marketing side of the business, she is also involved in customer relationships, deliveries and sales support - helping ensure customers receive both quality products and personal service.

Her creative approach, energy and passion for the business continue to bring a fresh perspective to the Lounic brand while helping share the story behind the farm with a wider audience.

You may also spot her arriving with fresh dates and a friendly smile along the way.