The Team
Lessing Jam started as a hobby with just 2 pots! Now, 20 years later, it has grown into a large business enterprise!
Ina Lessing has been preserving fruit, vegetables, and cooking a wide variety of jams since 1990. In 2013/14, Ina was named the Sanlam/Landbouweekblad Women Entrepreneur.
Deep-rooted faith, combined with trust, planning, occasionally taking risks, and showing great initiative, all contributed to the success that this jam business is today. It’s a lot of positivity, family support, and a truckload of love that keeps it sustainable. The cooking and preserving take place in Modimolle, while the packaging and distribution are handled from Centurion.
Danie and Ina Lessing
Mom and Dad got married in 1979. Ina is a former teacher who studied at the old “POK”. Danie studied BCom Marketing and was working in Agricultural Engineering when they met. After that, he started farming with ostriches, and later on, around 1990, the “jam farming” began.They raised 5 children while building a successful business. In the meantime, they’ve gained 5 children-in-law and 11 grandchildren — and have since retired as well. They are still 100% involved in an advisory capacity, and the children continue to learn life wisdom from the “old greys” every day.
Danie’s favourite jam: Whole figs and peach jam
Danie’s favourite cookie: Coffee cookies
Ina’s favourite jam: Stemfruit and apricot jam
Ina’s favourite cookie: Sweet cookies
Jana Roux
She is a qualified Professional Accountant (SA) who obtained her degree from the University of Potchefstroom (PUKKE). She joined the family business in January 2020, and since then, no one is allowed to spend money without very good reasons. Jana is the second youngest of our five children — and definitely the strictest one. Jana got married to Izak Roux in March 2023 and have one son. They are now settled in Bloemfontein.
Jana’s favourite jam is Apricot Jam and Pineapple and chilly jam
Jana’s favourite cookie is Monte Carlo Cookies
Izak’s favourite jam is pineapple and chilly jam
Izak’s favourite cookies are Chocrates
Natan and Neriché Lessing
Both are former teachers. Natan studied at PUK (Potchefstroom University), and Neriché earned her BSc degree in Consumer Science from Tukkies (University of Pretoria). They both joined the family business in 2014. Natan is the only — and most spoiled — son in the Lessing family. He and Neriché (née Dorfling) got married in 2013 and have three beautiful children. Natan is in charge behind the jam pots, while Neriché holds the reins in the bakery.
Natan’s favourite jam is whole figs and peach jam
Natan’s favourite cookie is Coffee cookies
Neriche’s favourite jam is Sweet mustard and Lime marmalade
Neriche’s favourite cookie is choc coconut cookies
Ané en Danie van der Walt
Ané is the eldest of the Lessing children. She is a former teacher who obtained her degree from the University of Potchefstroom (PUKKE). She and Danie got married in 2008 and are blessed with three lively little children. Danie is an IT consultant with an Honours degree in Informatics from the University of Pretoria (UP). He assists us after hours with various aspects of the business. Since 2012, Ané has been responsible for the marketing and distribution of the products. She works from Centurion, where the depot is based. She keeps a firm grip on things and makes sure everything runs smoothly.
Ane’s favourite jam is Stemfruit and guava jelly
Ane’s favourite cookie is Ginger
Danie’s favourite jam is rose jelly and tomato and chilly jam
Danie’s favourite cookies are condensedmilk cookies
Nicolet Smit
The jam business made it possible for her to become a Chartered Accountant. Like the rest of the children, she is also a proud PUK alumni. Nicolet is the youngest of the five Lessing children. She has been involved in the family business since early 2020. She initially worked alongside Natan, managing the jam pots, but since getting married in September 2023 to Erasmus Smit, she now lives in Pretoria and focuses on finance, marketing, and distribution. She and Natan compete for the title of the most spoiled Lessing child.
Nicolet’s favourite jam is strawberry and smooth figs
Nicolet’s favourite cookies are ginger men and choc chip.
Erasmus’ favourite jam is Peach Chutney
Erasmus’ favourite cookies are peanut
The Family
