About Gwanzi Queens

About Us

Gwanzi Queen Pineapples produces the 'Queen' pineapple cultivar at their farm near Hluhluwe town in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

The pineapples are exported to markets in Europe and The United Kingdom and are distributed to national markets, throughout the whole year.

Gwanzi Queens is owned and managed by the dynamic father and son team, Fred and Du Toit Visser, with the assistance of a professional and experienced staff compliment.

Awards

History

From establishing the farm over 50 years ago along with being a highly active member of both the local and wider community, Fred Visser's experience is both long-standing and diverse. Here we present a little history:

1970

Where it started

Starting on a meagre 5 ha land over 50 years ago, Fred Visser has in time built Gwanzi Queens into one of the most successful pineapple farms in the history of modern day South Africa.

1970

1989

Top 10 Business People in KZN

Elected by Zululand Chamber of Commerce as one of the top 10 business people in KwaZulu-Natal.

1993

Joined By His Son

Joined by his son Du Toit, who has followed in his father’s footsteps as a leader for the community

1993

1998 - 2000

President of KWANALU

Served as president of KWANALU (KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union), as well as serving as a councillor for the Big 5 False Bay Municipality where he made huge contributions to the establishment of lower income housing schemes for the previously disadvantaged.

Hluhluwe Tourism Association

A founding member of the Hluhluwe Tourism Association.

Owen Sithole Agricultural College

Served on a advisory committee at the Owen Sithole Agricultural College for a number of years.

Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park

A board member of the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park.

Hluhluwe Advertising Association

A member of the Hluhluwe Advertising Association for more than 20 years.

Hluhluwe Pineapple & Agricultural Association

A member of the Hluhluwe Pineapple & Agricultural Association for more than 20 years.

1999

National Farmer of the Year

Elected National Farmer of the Year by the influential Agricultural Writers Association.

2002

Zimbabwe Elections Monitoring

During the 2002 elections in neighbouring Zimbabwe, he was chosen by the South African government as one of a handful of South African observers to monitor the elections for being fair and free. He was one of only two of these observers who later reported it as not being fair and free.

2002

Continuing To Produce Pineapples

Continuing to produce pineapples of an excellent standard.

Healthy Eating

Pineapples are full of dietary fibre, bromelain (an enzyme) high amounts of manganese, which is an excellent antioxidant. They also contain high amounts of thiamin and vitamin B.

The Environment

Caring for the environment is a fundamental aspect of our business with our understanding that it's important for the health and well being of others.

The Community

We're proud to be part of a community of our rainbow nation and one of our primary goals is to give back to the community in various ways.