When our ancestor Heinrich Juergen Schumacher (1700-1765) arrived at the Cape of Good Hope from northern Germany in 1724 as sailor, he had no idea what awaited him and his descendants. He became one of the first livestock farmers to move out to the North 

The wilderness called and Johannes Jurgen Schoeman (2nd generation) founded the farm Roodewal with a new system where livestock farmers got grazing rights on a farm that they rented. This new form of land rental changed when the farmers build a house and stables on the farm, and they had to pay on “riksdaalder” per month to the government in Cape Town. 

So the beautiful fertile valley of Schoemanshoek was founded. 

There were many obstacles to overcome: wild animals and hostility from the local inhabitants, the Khoi San. 

 

Over time, the wilderness was tamed, peace was made, and the fertile land began to produce. By the middle of the 18th century,  there were already established plantings of tobacco and vegetable farms. Naturally, the dry climate, fertile soil, and availability of water made the area attractive, and more and more farmers came to settle here. The Schoeman family put down deep roots in this soil and stayed.

 

Today, our children represent the 10th generation on the same land where Johannes Jurgen Schumacher began in the 17th century.

Although much research has been done about our ancestors and a great deal could be written about the history of our beautiful valley, we will begin with the story of our grandfather and great-grandfather.

 

Jan Pen, as Jannie Schoeman was known, was a humble and hardworking man. Not much of an entrepreneur, he nevertheless expanded his land nearly twentyfold through conservative farming practices, hard work, and his faith in his Creator. Sadly, he passed away at the young age of 72 after a sudden diagnosis of blood cancer and a short illness. When his two sons took over the farm after his death, they were able to comfortably continue what he had built and farm successfully themselves. The youngest son, Piet, inherited the entrepreneurial spirit of his maternal grandfather. Soon the family farm became too small for him, and he began trading livestock and also tried his hand at transport work.

 

In 2003, within five years of farming full time, he bought his first farm, using only the word of the family’s long-time lawyer as security. He moved there with his young family and fully embraced his life as both farmer and businessman. Meanwhile, Rosie, the widow of Jannie Schoeman, converted the family farmhouse into a bed-and-breakfast where she began hosting both international and local guests. Her charismatic personality and natural understanding of people quickly earned her a reputation as a wonderful hostess. Even today, after 30 years, people still ask about her and how she is doing. She is now retired in Oudtshoorn and enjoys seeing what the next generation is doing at Berluda.

 

But, Berluda’s story does not end there. The boldness of Piet and Laura led them in 2007 to open their first self-catering accommodation. Cottage 1 was also the original house in which Jannie was born in 1925. Eight children were raised here, and it was he who carried the responsibility of continuing the farm after their father passed away.  Soon the popularity of this accommodation encouraged them to expand further, and today Berluda boasts eight self-catering cottages where guests can stay.

 

And that is still not the end.

 

At the end of 2019, their neighbour retired and returned to Germany. Montana Guest Farm was added to the existing accommodation. Despite the unfortunate timing, they can now proudly look back. Fourteen rooms later, Berluda Mountain Manor now offers one of the most popular and peaceful settings among all our accommodation options.