This Women’s Month, Lakeview Farm in Villiersdorp is bearing more than apples and pears — it’s bearing the fruits of one woman’s vision and determination. At 34, Amoré Viljoen is proving that passion and purpose can transform both land and community.
A Farm with a Purpose
Lakeview Farm is owned by the Lakeview Trust, with 71 beneficiaries, and is a 100% black-owned commercial apple and pear farm in the EGVV (Elgin, Grabouw, Villiersdorp, Vyeboom) region. Through a management agreement with Two-a-Day, Amoré runs daily operations, ensuring productivity and sustainability.
“Lakeview is not a token BEE farm – it’s a fully functional commercial farming unit,” she says. “Our goal is to maximise productivity, improve orchard quality, and build long-term sustainability.”
Rebuilding from the Ground Up
When Amoré took the reins in December 2020, more than half the orchards were over 30 years old and underperforming. “You are fighting to get production from these old trees and dated trellising systems,” she recalls.
Her renewal strategy included removing unviable blocks, introducing innovative pruning techniques, and replanting with high-value cultivars like RDS (Joya), Rosemarie Select, and Forelle on high-density systems. Funding through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) accelerated progress. “Since 2020, we’ve planted new orchards using stronger rootstocks and tighter row spacing to increase yield per hectare.”
Lakeview spans 63 hectares: 64% apples and 36% pears. Once replanting is complete, 33 hectares will be in production, with fruit marketed globally through Tru-Cape.
Turning Challenges into Advantages
Farming on a north-facing slope brings heat stress and low rainfall, but Amoré sees opportunity. “When our pest control and orchard practices are in place, the southeast weather in summer actually enhances the colour of bi-colour varieties.” Lower rainfall also reduces disease pressure, ideal for cultivars like Golden Delicious and Packham’s Triumph.
“What happens above ground is a reflection of what’s going on below. Healthy soil equals healthy trees – and ultimately, healthy, market-ready fruit.”
From Middelburg to Mastering Orchards
Raised in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, Amoré first dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. She studied mixed agriculture at Grootfontein, specialised in Boer goats, and worked in citrus before pome fruit. “When Two-a-Day approached me after five years in the pome industry, I saw it as a chance to grow — not just as a production manager but as someone making the full range of decisions.”
Her leadership blends discipline with empathy. “This is no longer just farming – it’s business management.”
Breaking Barriers for Women in Agriculture
“You don’t have to prove you can do everything a man can – farming is about managing resources, people, and systems. Mutual respect is key,” she says. Her advice to young women: “Stay focused on your goals, work hard, learn from those with experience, and never be afraid to innovate.”
Harvesting Results
This year, Lakeview’s BigBucks Gala orchard ranked number one in production performance, income per hectare, and pack-out percentage of class 1 fruit within the Two-a-Day group. “It shows what’s possible when you combine technical excellence with passion and determination.”
This Women’s Month, Amoré’s story stands as proof that innovation, resilience, and leadership can transform not only a farm but an entire community.
