Compagniesdrift is celebrating a proud moment after its Makataan Chunks was named South African Preserve Product of the Year at the inaugural South African Preserve Championships, presented by Agri-Expo at Lanzerac in Stellenbosch on Tuesday, 19 August 2025.
Competing against 456 entries from 66 manufacturers nationwide, the traditional makataan preserve impressed a panel of 38 expert judges with its appearance, flavour, texture, and overall quality, earning the ultimate accolade in the newly launched national competition.
The victory holds special meaning for Compagniesdrift. The preserves originated from the farm’s vegetable garden, planted in 2014, which became a source of freshness and pride until water restrictions and load shedding forced its closure. From this challenge, however, a new tradition was born: a range of handmade preserves crafted with care and heritage in mind.
“For the past four years, we’ve been making preserves. What began as a simple effort to keep the tradition of bottling alive has grown into a range of unique products, which includes: makataan chunks, makataan preserve, pickled onions, tomato-chilli sauce and tomato preserve – our latest addition", says Ilse Ruthford, managing director at Compagniesdrift.
The process of making makataan is both intricate and time-consuming. The watermelon must be peeled, cut into pieces, and each piece pricked by hand before the preserving can even begin. This careful work is overseen by Lena Conradie, who once tended the Compagniesdrift vegetable garden and now leads the preserve kitchen.
“I believe our preserve stood out because it’s the perfect combination of an excellent recipe, a skilled cook who knows exactly what she’s doing, and who cooks with patience and a good heart,” explains Ruthford. “Lena always says you shouldn’t cook in a bad mood – the pot can sense it.”
The South African Preserve Championships, created by Agri-Expo with support from partners ClemenGold and Hollard, aim to celebrate the art of preserving, recognise excellence, and stimulate growth in the sector. Eleven products across categories were announced as winners, with Compagniesdrift’s Makataan Chunks taking the overall top honour.
“This award means a lot to us,” Ruthford says. “It shows that our preserve is truly something special, and it makes us very proud. Thanks to the competition, more people are now hearing about us – and it’s a real joy to share our passion with an even wider audience.”
Compagniesdrift’s award-winning preserves are available at the Compagniesdrift Wine and Farm Shop in Stellenbosch and online at www.compagniesdrift.com.