About Us
Jeanette van der Westhuizen (née. Viljoen) 1923-2006
Jeanette van der Westhuizen (née. Viljoen) was born in 1923 in the Krugersdorp area. As a young girl, she often wore a red bow in her hair and was affectionately known by her friends and family as “Rooi” (Red). Later, she became known as “Tannie Rooi” (Aunty Red) and later “Ouma Rooi” (Grandma Red).
Ouma Rooi was part of many church fêtes, market days and fundraisings with her delicious koeksisters and soon became known as the go-to person for koeksisters wherever she went.
She kept the recipe safe and taught her daughter Gerda, who helped her bake these traditional South African treats since 1985 in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. Gerda branded them “Ouma Rooi Koeksisters” in remembrance of her mother who passed away in 2006. Today Gerda’s daughter Jeanelle and her husband Johann also have a ‘*factory’ in Cape Town.
While helping to support more than 55 families, by employing mostly woman; Ouma Rooi Koeksisters can produce more than 3800 dozen fresh koeksisters per day.
Giving someone a pack of Ouma Rooi Koeksisters is like giving someone a firm welcoming handshake, a big hug of compassion, a pat on the back for a job well done or an invite to sit down and relax at your grandma’s kitchen table.
*While we call it a factory, it is just a big kitchen where small batches are still handmade, mixed by hand and twisted by hand, to add a little bit more love and keep the true Ouma Rooi Taste.
Ouma Rooi was part of many church fêtes, market days and fundraisings with her delicious koeksisters and soon became known as the go-to person for koeksisters wherever she went.
She kept the recipe safe and taught her daughter Gerda, who helped her bake these traditional South African treats since 1985 in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. Gerda branded them “Ouma Rooi Koeksisters” in remembrance of her mother who passed away in 2006. Today Gerda’s daughter Jeanelle and her husband Johann also have a ‘*factory’ in Cape Town.
While helping to support more than 55 families, by employing mostly woman; Ouma Rooi Koeksisters can produce more than 3800 dozen fresh koeksisters per day.
Giving someone a pack of Ouma Rooi Koeksisters is like giving someone a firm welcoming handshake, a big hug of compassion, a pat on the back for a job well done or an invite to sit down and relax at your grandma’s kitchen table.
*While we call it a factory, it is just a big kitchen where small batches are still handmade, mixed by hand and twisted by hand, to add a little bit more love and keep the true Ouma Rooi Taste.