Michelle van der Spuy
Farm manager and athlete Jakob Volmoer of Ouplaas in the Witzenberg Valley’s passion and perseverance not only help him produce top-quality fruit but also earned him six medals at the recent SA Athletics Championships in Oudtshoorn.
Volmoer (39) won these medals in various track and field events, despite also being a production manager at Ouplaas near Ceres in the Western Cape. Ouplaas supplies apples and pears to Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing.
Volmoer won three gold medals in the 1 500 m and 3 000 m steeplechase, as well as in the high jump. He also won two bronze medals in the 800 m race and long jump, as well as a silver medal in the 4 x 400 m relay.
Volmoer is proud of his achievements. It’s his reward after months of dedicated training at the end of a day’s hard work. Although he’s almost 40, his energy is clearly far from gone.
“I’m grateful that at this age I can still do what I love. I’m reaping the fruits of the hours I’ve put into it over the past year and a half – and that makes it worth it.”
Volmoer grew up on a pear and peach farm in the Warm Bokkeveld. His athletics career started on the athletics track of Morrisdale Primary School in Ceres, where his coaches Jannie Jacobs and Abba Zeroet spotted his talent early on. As a pupil at Ceres Secondary School, he built on this with his coach Hennie Moses. He won his first provincial colours for athletics at the age of 17.
Athletics, agriculture have a lot in common
Calla du Toit, procurement manager for Tru-Cape, says you can often find Volmoer running between the orchards and taking a quick break to check the Pink Lady apples’ colour development.
“He is an inspiration to all of us who live on Ouplaas. His success is down to total concentration and dedication. I am sure he will continue to inspire young people who love the outdoors and are interested in working in the agricultural sector.”
Volmoer started working at Ouplaas in September 2023 after previously working for InteliGro and AVCASA (now CropLife SA). He says agriculture and athletics have more in common than people realise.
“Both require discipline, focus and a great love for what you do. Managing a successful harvest and preparing for a championship both require concentration and perseverance.”
He admits exercising after a long day at work can be a struggle. He has planned his own running route around the farm. It includes views of the scenic parts of the farm. Not only does it motivate him, but it also gives him the opportunity to see what other people are doing and make new plans for his own production unit.
Family his biggest supporters
Although he trains on his own, Volmoer draws a lot of strength from the support of his family.
“My wife, Le-Ann, our three children, Leequin (3), Jaylee (7) and TJ (15), as well as my mother, Sophie, are my biggest supporters. I want my children to see that discipline and passion can take you far in life. Even if they don’t run themselves, they learn that lesson.”
Volmoer is far from achieving all of his goals. After narrowly missing out on qualifying for national colours this season, he is already back in training, and he hopes to reach this milestone next year.
This is not the first obstacle he has had to overcome. A few years ago, he was accidentally shot in the thigh – an incident that almost ended his athletic career.
“After I had surgery, my biggest fear was that I wouldn’t be able to run again. I pushed through physiotherapy, stayed optimistic and used the experience as motivation. Now I’m stronger than ever.”
Mentor for young people
Volmoer considers himself a mentor to young people – in agriculture and in sport.
“Sport changed my life. It gave me structure, helped me concentrate and continues to teach me how to grow. I like to tell others: Find what you love and pursue it, even if you’re the only one doing it.”
His advice to others: “Eat apples, train hard, stay committed. Life is more fun when you do what you love.”
