A giant tree fell when Tru-Cape producer Robert Zulch (69) passed away over the weekend and it is with great sadness that Tru-Cape honours Robert’s legacy as a passionate pome fruit producer, innovator, mentor, and community leader.

“Everything he did, he did to advance the industry he was so passionate about,” recalls Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing.

Robert, who hails from the farm Wakkerstroom in the Witzenberg Valley near Ceres, is widely considered a pioneer in the pome industry. Not only was he, at the age of 35, the youngest farmer to be lauded as South Africa’s Farmer of the Year (in 1990), but he also found and developed new apple varieties such as Royal Beaut (in 1996) and Fuji Royal (in 2011). Robert also did groundbreaking work with high-density plantings and dwarfing trees.

Buks Nel, new variety manager at Tru-Cape, says Royal Beaut was the most successful of all Gala types.

“There was a time when more than 70% of Gala plantings in South Africa were Royal Beaut.”

According to Roelf, the variety still earns a premium compared to other Gala types.

“I had the privilege to witness him negotiate royalties with Sapo. Robert acted in the industry’s best interests and never imposed any marketing levies on Royal Beaut. He played an important role on all levels of the industry, from production to packaging and marketing.”

When Robert, the seventh generation on Wakkerstroom, started his career in agriculture in 1981, the farm comprised 80 hectares of fruit. Under his auspices, the farm underwent a major transition. Robert was the first farmer in South Africa to install an Israeli computerised irrigation system that could be controlled from a central point.

Conrad Fick, marketing director at Tru-Cape, remembers Robert as “a caring family man and true to his principles”.

“One of his best characteristics was how much he cared for his farm workers and how important it was to him that they were well taken care of.”

Could think outside the box

As a board member, Robert served Ceres Fruit Growers (CFG) well during his tenure of over 24 years, says Francois Malan, managing director of CFG. He also won the Chairman’s Award several times at Ceres Fruit Growers’ annual celebration of their best apple and pear growers.

“Robert was a unique person and always one step ahead when it came to the technical aspects of farming. He was open to new research and trialed everything to determine whether it was feasible. He was passionate about farming and agriculture, specifically apples.

“Robert had a way of asking challenging questions, usually intending to improve. However, his heart was always in the right place and he acted in the interest of the greater good. He was always willing to listen and gave good advice.”

Buks, who travelled extensively with Robert, will remember Robert’s passion for novel ideas and farming practices.

“Robert was a big personality in the world of new varieties, rootstocks, and tree training. He was known as someone who could think outside the box. He could be slightly controversial at times, but he was usually right. He had several trial blocks on Wakkerstroom where he tested several varieties. He was never secretive about his findings and would readily share them to benefit the industry.”

Robert once said in an interview:  “I must keep planting. If I stop planting and developing, I am dead.”

According to Conrad, technical staff in the industry referred to Robert as a “tree mechanic”.

“If he couldn’t figure something out with a tree, no one could.”

Calla du Toit, Tru-Cape’s procurement manager and lifelong neighbour to Robert, reckons Robert was one of the best fruit producers the industry has ever seen.

“He was a passionate, committed, and innovative farmer who continuously lifted the bar in our industry. Simply put, he was in a class of his own,” says Calla du Toit, who heralds Robert as his mentor, friend, and partner in conserving their beautiful area for future generations.

“I will miss him terribly,” he added.

Tru-Cape offered their sincerest condolences to Robert’s wife, Ebeneze (Eppie), his two sons, Johan and Fourie, and his daughter, Aileen, who is Business Control and Market Intelligence Coordinator at Tru-Cape.

For more information, please contact Lucille Botha at lucilleb@tru-cape.co.za or visit www.tru-cape.com. Follow Tru-Cape on X (@TruCapeFruit), Facebook (@Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing) and Instagram (@trucapefruit).