They are Proudly Dutch and South African.
When Bas and Anita de Jong are not in their hometown Ulvenhout, an historic village in the Netherlands, you will find them at the exquisite Val du Lac wine estate. Nestled in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, an outsider may imagine that life on this spectacular estate is nothing short of idyllic but the reality is far more complex. Such an existence comes with very real exposure due to the location of the property.
Surrounded by mountains and dams with a 40-meter elevation across the land, Val du Lac sits in a high-risk environmental zone. Flooding during heavy rainfall and wildfires in dry, windy conditions are constant considerations and lived realities. That’s why insurance is not an afterthought for Bas and Anita but a central pillar of how the estate functions.
“We have two insurers covering different facets of the farm, Bas explains. “Insurance is extremely relevant because we’re talking real risks. Our absence when we’re back in the Netherlands and the location and surroundings of Val du Lac are huge factors that always need to be considered.” Bas, who’s companies are mostly related to the international marine environment, mentions the recent storms (in May) that caused widespread devastation although Val du Lac escaped relatively unscathed. “And then there were the wildfires during mid-to-late January. “That was frightening and posed a very real risk.”
More than 23,500 hectares of veld in the Franschhoek mountains were scorched and the flames were on the doorstep of Val du Lac and surrounding farms.
The De Jong’s recall the terror of those few weeks. “It was nerve-wracking and more so for our neighbours who were under bigger threat. We needed helicopters to water-bomb the flames and that’s when you realise the worth of your insurance company.”
It only took a call to Christelle Coleman, CEO and founder of Ami Underwriting Managers to get help. Ami did not only provide aerial support to the De Jong’s but also offered assistance to their neighbours, if need be. “I must compliment Ami’s whole arrangement there. The emergency desk responded to all the requests we had. It was handled very, very professionally!”
Coleman says a direct and immediate response is very important in situations like these and insurance of the utmost importance for properties such as Val du Lac. “Insuring a home like this is different to others as it lies outside the more controlled areas. Its proximity to nature and the fact that the owners are international residents who are occasionally not on the property, require a very bespoke and personal kind of cover.”
The De Jong’s are huge lovers of the bush and African wildlife and the art in their elegant home is a testament to their passion for and regular forays into the Kruger National Park and other reserves. Their photographs and original works of art are tokens of their awe of and appreciation for the African bush. The De Jong’s collection is also in the safe hands of Ami.
And there’s no question that the De Jong’s are Proudly South African. Nearly everything in their home has either been sourced, crafted or curated locally. Anita laughs however and says their taps are an exception as the Europeans are excellent when it comes to water fixtures. Bas interjects playfully that the jacuzzi is another exception.
The design philosophy of the home reflects the De Jong’s personality: modern classic – as Anita says, never contemporary for its own sake. Although passers-by may view the property as glamorous and intimidating, Anita says that’s far from the truth. “We don’t want to be in a window,” she explains. “It needs to feel homely, warm and lived in.”
The couple originally planned to settle in a lodge in a private game reserve in Limpopo but complications arose which led them to broaden their search. “We’ve been visiting South Arica for almost a quarter of a century and we wanted a foothold”, Anita says. Bas adds that they viewed in the range of 35 properties in the Western Cape before purchasing Val du Lac. “We couldn’t help falling in love. It’s clearly a spectacular environment, in the middle of nature, minutes away from Franschhoek and close to Cape Town.”
The estate spans 24 hectares and now includes 7.5 hectares of newly planted vines. He says laughingly that it helped that Val du Lac (Valley of the Lake) is also a name that can be pronounced easily, by everyone.
“A lot of work has gone into refurbishing Val du Lac and it’s very much an ongoing project”, says Anita. “We are always busy; we are not people who sit down!”
And “busy” the De Jong’s certainly are: Val du Lac wine will soon be on the shelves and there are also plans to add five-star cottages, a fine-dining restaurant and a wellness centre to the already magnificent estate. Olive production has also grown dramatically since the De Jong’s purchased Val du Lac three years ago. Production jumped from just five kilograms in the first year to 75 kilograms recently, with the whole family joining in the harvest. There is also a vegetable garden and even chickens, reinforcing the sense that Val du Lac is both a working farm and a home.
There is no doubt that Val du Lac has very much become home for the De Jong’s. They speak fondly of their neighbours and greater Franschhoek community whom Anita says, have become close to their hearts. “There are people of all ages here and that sense of togetherness in times of crisis like we’ve experienced during the fire for instance, is of great value. You won’t find it easily in Johannesburg or Amsterdam.”
When Bas and Anita are back in the Netherlands, a team of 15 permanent staff members takes care of Val du Lac. The De Jong’s say having such a trusted group running the estate so efficiently when they’re overseas, provides great comfort. “And so does the support and services of Ami Underwriting Managers. When we’re back in the Netherlands it’s good to know that professionals are keeping a watchful eye over your property and belongings and will respond swiftly in times of crises.”
Colman in turn says Ami is proud to be associated with the De Jong’s and Val du Lac. “It’s bespoke homes like these that bring out the best in our team.” She warmly acknowledges the praise for Ami Underwriting Managers during the fires but generously adds that the heroic efforts of CapeNature, Volunteer Wildfire Services and Cape Winelands District Municipality should also be mentioned.
Driving away from Val du Lac one can’t help but think that the outside may be regarded as rather intimidating by some but as Anita also said, that can’t be further from the truth. Val du Lac is as warm and inviting as it is beautiful.
As Bas rightly says: “We think it’s pretty hospitable.”