Our History
The Rossouw family’s legacy in the Delmas/Springs region of South Africa dates back to 1925, when Jan Adriaan Rossouw, a family patriarch, began farming in the area. Despite working in the construction industry and cycling daily to Springs to provide for his family, Jan Adriaan set the foundation of resilience and hard work that defines the Rossouw family today.
Rossouw family has built a successful and diversified medium-sized agricultural family business, with a strong presence in the five provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North-West, Kwazulu-Natal and Limpopo.
Inspired by his father’s determination, Chris Rossouw pursued a career in farming. Recognizing the importance of education, Chris completed a BSc degree in Agriculture at the University of Pretoria, establishing education as a cornerstone of the family’s success. Chris and his wife, Naubie, began their journey in 1964 on 50 rented morgen and purchased their first farm in 1968.
Over time, the family business flourished under the leadership of Chris and Naubie, who instilled values of hard work, innovation, and education in their sons—Adriaan, Charles, Chris, and Naudé. These values, combined with academic expertise, introduced advanced farming practices and cutting-edge technology into the business.
Chris Snr often reflects on growing a family business, saying:
“You must be like a chameleon: keep your eyes open, stay aware of the world around you, and always keep moving forward—even cautiously, but never stagnate.”
Today, the Rossouw family continues to embrace growth and change. They have diversified into other ventures such as property, citrus & blueberry production. They value meaningful connections and invite partners, clients, and communities to join them in their journey, inspired by their guiding philosophy: “Do not stagnate. Keep moving!”
Rossgro Group
Rossgro Group, established in the 1990s, is the centerpiece of the Rossouw family’s poultry operations. Under the leadership of Drs. Adriaan and Naudé Rossouw, the group has expanded to include fresh egg production, broiler production, and feed manufacturing.
From their head office near Delmas, the team manages the following divisions across Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Limpopo:
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- Rossouw Pluimvee Eiers: Egg production and Distribution.
- Rossgro Feeds: Specialised animal feed and maize products.
- Rossgro Rearing: Point of lay production.
- Rossgro Liquid Eggs: Egg Pasturizing Unit for whole egg pulp and egg whites.
Rossgro’s management team boasts extensive experience in agriculture, with specialized knowledge in poultry production. This expertise has enabled the business to achieve recognition, including the 2007 Farmer of the Year award from the Agricultural Writers Association of South Africa.
Rossgro is committed to corporate social responsibility and actively contributes to the community through philanthropy projects such as the Rossgro Community Garden and our Community Clinic.
Founders
Chris & Naubie Rossouw
Chris Rossouw was born in 1938 on the farm Vischkuil near Springs and pursued an agricultural degree at the University of Pretoria. Naubie, born in 1943 in Bloemfontein, also attended the University of Pretoria, where she studied education. They met at university, married in 1963, and began their farming journey shortly after completing their studies.
Initially working for the Department of Agriculture, Chris devoted his energy to helping other farmers before focusing on the family’s growing business.
Leadership
Dr. Adriaan Rossouw
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- Obtained his MB ChB from the University of Pretoria in 1987.
- Practiced medicine in South Africa and Canada for 10 years before joining the family business in 1998.
- Pioneered the group’s broiler farming operations and modernized facilities with environmentally controlled houses.
- Serves on the boards of Rossgro Poultry, Rossgro Feeds, and other related entities.
Dr. Naudé Rossouw
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- Earned his MB ChB from the University of Pretoria in 1996.
- Former Chairperson of the South African Poultry Association.
- Co-founded Rossgro Feeds, launching its feed production in 2005.
- Expanded operations to include state-of-the-art rearing facilities and parent stock farms.
Founders
Chris & Naubie Rossouw
Christiaan Le Cordeur Rossouw was born on 21 September 1938 on the farm Vischkuil, Springs. He attended primary school at the farm school Stompiesfontein and secondary school at Hugenote Boys High School in Springs before moving on to the University of Pretoria where he obtained a formal tertiary qualification in agriculture.
Naubie, born on 3 June 1943 in Bloemfontein, also attended the University of Pretoria where she studied education. Chris and Naubie met at university. It was love at first sight and they married in 1963.
Having completed their studies, Chris initially poured his energy into the success of other farmers when he joined the Agricultural Advisory Services of the Department of Agriculture.
Director
Dr Adriaan Rossouw
Studied at the University of Pretoria where he obtained his MB ChB in 1987. After spending 10 years practicing as a medical doctor in South Africa and Canada, Dr. Adriaan Rossouw joined the family business in 1998. He focused on the broiler and feed bagging part of the business. He developed the group’s first broiler farm. These houses were modernized in 2012 from open houses to closed, environmentally controlled houses.
Adriaan is currently on the Board of Directors of 5 Companies, Rossgro Poultry, Rossgro Braaikuikens, Rossgro Feeds, Rossgro Animal Feeds and Rossgro Beleggings.
Director
Dr Naudé Rossouw
MB ChB degree obtained in 1996 from University of Pretoria. Former Chairperson of the South African Poultry Association. Co-Owner and architect of the establishment of Rossgro Feeds, an animal feed producer, which commenced production in 2005. Not being restricted by chicken egg production, he took the business to a new level with the construction of a complete parent and rearing facility. He ultra-modern environmentally controlled rearing houses and maintains a high standard of point of lay production.
EXPERIENCE
Agricultural
The Rossouw group has over 80 years of Agricultural experience.Currently the 3rd generation is managing the business.The management team of Rossgro has extensive experience in the agricultural sector with specialized knowledge in the poultry industry.The team has worked together for several years as a family business comprising Chris Rossouw Snr and his sons Drs Naude Adriaan Rossouw.His sons are qualified medical doctors and left medical profession serval years ago to join the family business.
