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History of Food Science intertwined with that of the Burgers

"In the Burger family, the apple certainly does not fall too far from the tree."

So says Johan Burger (85), a former Stellenbosch University (SU) student, who recently visited the campus.

Burger, the first student who obtained his degree in food science at SU's Department of Food Science, graduated in 1955 alongside the late Jan Hofmeyr. They were the first two students in South Africa who obtained such a degree.

Although Burger is now retired and lives in Great Brak River in the Southern Cape, he is still involved in the citrus industry as director of African Realty Trust. His wife, Pauline, elaborates as follows: "Johan will never really retire. He is still actively interested in developments in the agricultural sector and the food industry. "

The couple recently visited the department in the Faculty of AgriSciences. They were accompanied by their daughter, Dr Kathleen Coetzee, and a grandson, Pieter. Coetzee, also a former Matie, has two sons who are both currently studying in an agricultural field in the faculty. Pieter Coetzee (23) is a fourth-year student in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology. His brother, Christiaan (19), is enrolled as a second-year BSc student (in horticulture and plant genetics).

The Burgers' family history is closely related to that of the department. Izak (Sakkie) Burger, Johan's father, was a founding member of the department. He also made a major contribution to the development of the South African preservation and dried fruit industry. He received his schooling in the Koo and later in Montagu, where he matriculated in 1923.

In 1927, Izak Burger obtained his agricultural degree (BSc Agric) from Maties, after which he worked in Australia and California, among others. He was later appointed as research officer and lecturer in food science at Elsenburg. Izak Burger succeeded Dr Reuben Nel as head of the Western Cape Fruit Research Station, nowadays known as the Fruit and Fruit Technology Research Institute.

Johan says his father had a lifelong interest in food science. "My father was very fond of agriculture and science," remarks Johan. "He also had the ability to share his interest and knowledge with others."

Johan was born at Elsenburg in 1933 where his father worked for years. He grew up in Stellenbosch and later followed in his father's footsteps. "One could say I grew up in the laboratory at Elsenburg (at the agricultural college) and in a research culture."

Food science is an exciting field of study that unlocks a wealth of opportunities for students, says Johan. "I am amazed at the development and how things (at the department) have changed over the years."

Johan obtained his master's degree in the department in 1958. His thesis deals with the pre-treatment of maize flour and his instant pea soup made newspaper headlines at that time.

Johan later worked at Minute Maid in Letaba, among others. He has been involved with Letaba Citrus Processors (LCP) in Tzaneen since 1961, including as its director. LCP, one of the largest citrus producers in the country, is involved in the processing of, among other things, oranges, sprouts, guavas and mangoes.

The first students in the department were enrolled in 1951. In 1952, the department was approved by the Senate and University Council. Jan Hofmeyr, the other first food scientist there, had a successful career at Metalbox/NAMPAK R & D, where he played a leading role in developing and improving packaging materials for the local and overseas markets.

Prof Danie Brink, Dean of the Faculty, and Prof Marena Manley, a researcher and lecturer in the undergraduate modules in food science, accompanied the Burger couple during their visit.

Media enquiries:

Dr Kathleen Coetzee

0824515805

Gertrude Koopman     

Contact:: 021 808 3578  or gkoopman@sun.ac.za

Email: voedselw@sun.ac.za