The Green Capital of the West Coast
The Makers
The route celebrates the people who live from the earth and create with purpose.
Flower Farmers - Rooibos producers - Artisans - Women Producers - Community Gardeners - Entrepreneurs
The makers behind the Green Route.
Discover the faces behind the farms, vineyards, gardens, workshops and heritage spaces that make the Green Route unlike anywhere else. Every visit is an opportunity to support local livelihoods and experience the region through the people who know it best.
Meet the
makers of the route.
01
Riette Bryant
02
Merle Dietrich
03
Eric Havenga
04
Jan Horn
Riette Bryant: The Woman Who Believes Nothing Should Go to Waste
At Kruitementvlei Farm, just outside Piketberg, waste is not something to be thrown away. It is the beginning of a new life cycle.
This simple philosophy has guided farm owner Riette Bryant for decades and has transformed her farm into one of the most inspiring examples of regenerative living on the Green Route 366.
A woman of many talents and endless curiosity, Riette has created a place where sustainability is not a trend but a way of life. Every corner of her farm tells a story of innovation, resilience and respect for nature.
“We should learn from nature,” she says. “Nothing in nature is wasted. Everything has a purpose.”
At Kruitementvlei, that belief is visible everywhere.
The farm’s recycling systems ensure that almost nothing ends up in a landfill. Even the farm’s traditional composting toilets form part of a circular system. Wood chips produced from cleared invasive alien vegetation are used to assist in breaking down organic waste, which is then composted and returned to the soil, helping to regenerate the land and nourish future crops.
What many people see as waste, Riette sees as a resource.
Her compost heaps, earthworm farming operations and organic growing methods have become living demonstrations of how sustainable farming can work in harmony with nature. The fertile soils support a variety of herbs, almond trees and other crops that thrive under her careful stewardship.
But Kruitementvlei is about far more than farming.
The farm has become a gathering place for people, ideas and learning.
It is home to the beloved Piket-Boberg Farmers Market, held on the last Friday of every month, where local producers, artisans and growers come together to celebrate the abundance and creativity of the region. The market has become a cornerstone of community life, attracting visitors seeking authentic local products and meaningful connections.
Riette’s passion for education extends beyond agriculture. She has established a community library on the farm, creating access to knowledge and learning opportunities for local residents. For her, building a stronger future begins with sharing information and inspiring curiosity.
That spirit of discovery also attracts visitors from around the world.
International researchers and students regularly visit Kruitementvlei to study the ancient San rock art found on the farm. These remarkable paintings provide a window into the lives and beliefs of the First Peoples who inhabited this landscape thousands of years ago.
For Riette, preserving this heritage is just as important as protecting the environment.
The result is a farm that feels like a living classroom — a place where visitors can learn about regenerative agriculture, recycling, biodiversity, history, culture and community development all in a single day.
To walk through Kruitementvlei with Riette is to encounter someone who sees possibilities where others see problems. Whether she is explaining the role of earthworms in soil health, discussing sustainable waste management, sharing stories about the San people, or introducing visitors to her thriving herb gardens, her enthusiasm is infectious.
She reminds us that sustainability is not about perfection.
It is about understanding our connection to the land and taking responsibility for what we leave behind.
In a world increasingly searching for solutions to environmental challenges, Riette Bryant has quietly spent years proving that regeneration begins with a simple idea:
Nothing should go to waste.
And when every resource is valued, communities, cultures and landscapes can flourish together.
Merle Dietrich: Growing Hope from the Soil of Goedverwacht
Long before the sun rises over the rolling hills of Goedverwacht, Merle Dietrich is already walking through her gardens, checking on seedlings, harvesting herbs, and preparing for another day of nurturing both plants and people.
To visitors, she is a farmer. To her community, she is much more.
Merle is one of the driving forces behind the Green Route 366 experience in Piketberg – a small-scale farmer whose flourishing gardens produce vegetables, fruit, herbs, medicinal plants, indigenous fynbos and flowers. What begins as seeds in the soil eventually finds its way onto the tables of homes, markets and some of the West Coast’s leading hospitality establishments.
Yet Merle’s greatest harvest is not measured in kilograms of produce.
It is measured in lives changed.
From her gardens and bread-making enterprise, she creates employment for around ten people from the Goedverwacht community. Through hands-on training and mentorship, she shares practical skills in farming, food production and entrepreneurship, helping others discover opportunities to build their own futures.
“To me it’s something that comes from the heart – wanting to uplift my community and teach entrepreneurship skills. I give back to my community because I’ve received so much from them in the past,” she says.
Her commitment to community development is rooted in both experience and education. A former entrepreneurship student at the School of Business and Finance at the University of the Western Cape, Merle has combined business knowledge with a deep love for the land and her people.
Every last Saturday of the month, visitors to the Piket-Boberg Market can find Merle proudly displaying the fresh produce harvested from her gardens. Her table is a colourful celebration of seasonal abundance – fragrant herbs, freshly picked vegetables, fruit, medicinal plants and homemade products that reflect the richness of the region.
But perhaps the most memorable experience is to walk through her gardens alongside her.
Visitors to the Green Route 366 are invited to explore the organic gardens of Goedverwacht with Merle as their guide. As she shares stories about indigenous plants, traditional remedies, sustainable farming practices and community life, guests gain a rare glimpse into a way of living that is deeply connected to nature.
The experience often ends around a harvest table filled with fresh seasonal ingredients from the garden – a fitting reminder that food is more than nourishment; it is a connection between people, place and purpose.
In a world increasingly disconnected from where food comes from, Merle’s story reminds us that farming can be an act of care, entrepreneurship can build communities, and a small garden can become a place where hope grows.
For Merle, every seed planted is an investment in the future of Goedverwacht.
And every harvest is shared.
Eric Havenga: Brewing More Than Coffee
For most people, coffee is simply the first cup of the day.
For Eric Havenga, it is an opportunity to connect people, support local communities and create something uniquely Piketberg.
From his artisan roastery in Piketberg, Eric has built a reputation for producing quality coffee under his proudly local brand, Berg Coffee. Carefully roasted and packaged in the region, his coffee has found its way into restaurants, guesthouses and hospitality establishments across the West Coast, earning a loyal following among coffee lovers who appreciate craftsmanship and quality.
What makes Eric’s journey remarkable is that it began not with a business plan, but with curiosity.
“It all started with a curious desire to explore the world of real coffee,” he says. “I began by roasting green beans on a homemade pan over the stove. After many coffee-drinking sessions and experiments, an opportunity arose in 2020 to open the Berg Coffee shop in Piketberg.”
What started as a personal passion quickly evolved into something much bigger.
“One thing led to another, and about a year later we started Berg Coffee Roastery. Here, we roast artisanal coffee in small batches, according to demand, to ensure our customers always receive freshly roasted coffee.”
Today, that commitment to quality and craftsmanship is at the heart of the Berg Coffee brand. Every batch is carefully roasted to bring out the unique flavours and aromas that coffee lovers appreciate, while maintaining the personal touch that comes from small-scale production.
But Eric’s story is about much more than coffee beans.
It is about community.
As an entrepreneur, Eric understands that success is strongest when it is shared. This belief is reflected in his latest collaboration with the community of Goedverwacht, where he is helping to strengthen a new community-owned tourism experience.
Recognising the potential of the village’s growing hospitality offering, Eric has stepped forward to support the local restaurant by supplying a professional coffee machine and training a local barista. Through this partnership, visitors to Goedverwacht will not only enjoy locally grown produce and authentic village hospitality but also a quality coffee experience delivered by trained community members.
In doing so, Eric is helping to create skills, opportunities and confidence within the community.
His contribution demonstrates what makes the Green Route 366 unique: collaboration rather than competition.
Here, businesses do not operate in isolation. Instead, they work together to strengthen the local economy, support emerging entrepreneurs and ensure that tourism benefits the people who call this region home.
For Eric, investing in community development is a natural extension of his business philosophy. Just as great coffee depends on patience, care and attention to detail, thriving communities require people who are willing to share their knowledge and create opportunities for others.
Visitors who meet Eric quickly discover his passion for the craft of coffee. He enjoys explaining the roasting process, discussing flavour profiles and sharing the journey from bean to cup. Yet his greatest satisfaction comes from seeing others grow alongside his business.
The partnership with Goedverwacht is a powerful example of how local tourism can create meaningful connections between people from different backgrounds, industries and communities.
A farmer grows the vegetables.
A baker prepares the bread.
A community welcomes visitors.
An artisan coffee roaster helps bring the experience together.
Together, they create something greater than any one business could achieve alone.
As the Green Route 366 continues to grow, entrepreneurs like Eric Havenga remind us that regenerative tourism is not only about protecting landscapes. It is also about strengthening relationships, building local skills and creating economies that work for everyone.
Every cup of Berg Coffee tells a story of place.
And every partnership tells a story of community.
That is the true flavour of Piketberg.
Jan Horn: The Sustainability Champion of Piekenierskloof
Every morning, before most guests at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort and Hotel have their first cup of coffee, Jan is already checking the meter readings.
For him, sustainability is not a slogan on a wall or a certificate hanging in an office. It is a daily commitment measured through action, accountability and a genuine desire to leave the environment better than he found it.
As the custodian of sustainability at Piekenierskloof, Jan leads a range of environmental initiatives that have transformed the resort into a model of responsible tourism in the region.
The work begins with careful measurement.
Each morning, electricity and water consumption are recorded and compared against guest occupancy levels. Monthly tracking sheets help the team monitor progress, identify opportunities for improvement and work towards annual conservation targets. Dedicated committees oversee energy management, water conservation and waste reduction, ensuring that sustainability remains part of everyday operations.
But for Jan, numbers tell only part of the story.
“I see the fire burning,” he says. “You want to make a difference in saving the environment. It’s also about reducing health risks for our community.”
That passion has inspired a culture of environmental responsibility throughout the resort.
Glass, paper, tins and other recyclable materials are carefully separated and managed through structured waste programmes. Kitchen waste is diverted from landfill and processed through an innovative organic waste system that breaks down food waste into nutrient-rich compost, returning valuable resources back to the soil.
The result is less waste, healthier ecosystems and a reduced environmental footprint.
Yet the project closest to Jan’s heart can be found outdoors.
Over the years, he has helped establish gardens grown from seed and has overseen the planting of more than 200 indigenous trees on the property. What may seem like a simple landscaping project is part of a much bigger vision to restore biodiversity and create habitats for local birdlife and wildlife.
“Bringing back the birds to the environment is what excites me,” he says.
For Jan, every tree planted is an investment in the future.
Each indigenous garden attracts pollinators, improves soil health and strengthens the natural ecosystem that makes the Piketberg region so special. Guests who visit the resort today are able to enjoy thriving green spaces that support both wildlife and wellbeing.
His work reflects an important principle of the Green Route 366: that tourism should not simply consume resources but actively contribute to the regeneration of the places it depends on.
Through careful resource management, habitat restoration and a commitment to environmental education, Jan is helping to demonstrate how the hospitality industry can become part of the solution to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Visitors may come to Piekenierskloof for the mountain views, fresh air and warm hospitality.
But behind the scenes, Jan is ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy those same experiences.
Because true custodianship is not about ownership.
It is about caring for something so well that it can thrive long after you are gone.
And that is the legacy Jan is building, one meter reading, one recycled bottle and one indigenous tree at a time.
