Our Story
Crafted with care,
heritage, and heart.
A proudly South African brand rooted in the soil of Mpumalanga — growing since 2004.
Ten jars. One wild berry.
A legacy begins.
From humble beginnings in a country kitchen in 2004, Zuidvaal Jams has grown into a proudly South African brand loved nationwide for its handcrafted, small-batch preserves. Founded just south of the Vaal River in the Amersfoort region of Mpumalanga, what began with a few jars of wild nastergal jam has blossomed into a sought-after range of exotic jams, each one crafted with care, heritage, and heart.
Marie de Jager started it all on the farm Schuilplaas — not with a business plan, but with a deep love for the land and its wild harvest. That first batch of nastergal jam, born from foraged African nightshade berries, sparked something that would take on a life of its own.
The nastergal: Africa's
most extraordinary berry.
At Zuidvaal, our passion and main focus is crafting authentic nastergal jam — a rare and exotic South African preserve made from the wild purple berries of the African nightshade plant (known locally as nastergal, umsobo).
By growing and harvesting our own nastergal berries right here on the farm, we guarantee peak freshness, perfect ripeness, and the deep, authentic flavour that makes this preserve so special. It's a taste you simply won't find anywhere else.
Our Journey
Two decades of growth
Marie de Jager begins
On farm Schuilplaas, just south of the Vaal River, Marie crafts her first 10 jars of nastergal jam. Word spreads quickly.
Word-of-mouth growth
The range grows from a single variety to over a dozen unique preserves. Zuidvaal becomes known across South Africa through farmers' markets, specialty stores, and loyal customers.
A new chapter
Loutjie & Zelda-Mari du Toit acquire Zuidvaal Jams. Fourth-generation farmers at Bloukop Farm, they bring renewed energy and a deep commitment to the brand's artisan roots.
Bloukop Farm & beyond
Still handcrafted. Still small-batch. Now more beautiful than ever.
Our Community
More than jam.
A commitment to people.
For over 110 years, Bloukop Farm has been a cornerstone of the local community — providing meaningful employment and opportunities for growth.
Our commitment goes beyond jam. It's about nourishing people, supporting families, and sustaining a vibrant rural economy in the Amersfoort and Morgenzon districts.
Taste the story for yourself.
Explore our full range of handcrafted preserves.