Verlorenvlei

Elands Bay

Laastedrif Agri is dedicated to protecting our natural wetlands. The Verlorenvlei lagoon is one of the largest natural wetlands along the West Coast of South Africa and one of the few coastal fresh water lakes in the country. The lagoon plays an important part in the ecosystem, with a variety of habitats being represented, and is also an important feeding area for the rare and threatened White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), as the Verlorenvlei is one of only two breeding sites in South Africa. Verlorenvlei is one of the ten most important wetlands for wading birds in the south-western Cape, providing feeding, nesting and resting facilities to 75 different species of bird.

Laastedrif Agri contributes towards the conservation of the Verlorenvlei through organisations such as the Sandveld Bewarings Komitee, Friends of Verlorenvlei and Verlorenvlei Bewaria.

Social Responsibility

PEOPLE – OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE 

Our people, many of whom have been part of Laastedrif Agri for generations, are our most valuable resource. The pride and care they show in all aspects of our business – from the planting and tending of crops to the packing and shipping of produce – are essential to our success.

We provide permanent residency for more than 150 employees and their families. During our peak season we employ up to 1150 people throughout the company.

We are committed to providing our employees with a fair and safe living and work environment and adding to their general well-being. Initiatives include decent housing with free water and electricity, a state-subsidised crèche and aftercare facility for the children of working mothers, and a state-subsidised primary school and library. We also supply fresh produce to soup kitchens and feeding schemes in the Ceres area on a regular basis.

In 2003 we transferred 60% of the ownership of Morceaux farm to workers with five years of service or more, in recognition of their valuable contribution. Morceaux is Laastedrif Agri’s BEE farm.

A retirement housing project is currently underway on Morceaux for long-standing employees, yet another way of ploughing back into the community.

Training and education are another priority and we invest in courses and further training for our workforce.

iNaturalist

Laastedrif and iNaturalist, where nature enthusiasts and biodiversity champions unite! Laastedrif, nestled in the heart of breathtaking landscapes, offers a sanctuary for wildlife exploration like no other. With its diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity, every visit unveils new marvels waiting to be unearthed. During a visit in November 2023, Nick Helme, specialist botanist, discovered a total of at least 175 plant species, that is more scares than the general plant species on Laastedrif farms. One of the most unusual finds was this one, right on top at 2100m of the Crassula elsieae.

To see what we have found please visit the following website.