For The Love Of It

From Farmers’ Markets to fighting cancer, this Funky Ouma knows a thing or two about good nutrition – along with how to spice up your next dinner!

- Caroline Petersen

Many of us dream about starting a business with our best friend. For Johannita Eksteen, that dream came true when she brought her mom, Anneke van Rooyen (otherwise known as the funkiest ouma around), on board.

Johannita, the youngest of Anneke’s four children, fondly remembers her childhood with her mom tinkering away in the kitchen. ‘My mother has always made salts and spices for family and friends because she’s always said, “I don’t want to use junk in my house!”’

When Johannita left the corporate world behind she combined her lifelong dream of being an entrepreneur with her need to make sure her mom was financially stable. ‘We started building up a passion project – something to give my mom some extra income. Everyone has always loved her home-made spices, so we decided to just brand it, package it, and sell it at farmers’ markets.’ In 2012 Anneke and Johannita launched Funky Ouma, with the intention of keeping their family business small. But when their spices sold out at every market, the duo knew they were onto something.

Innovative, trendy, and by far the best cook in the family, Anneke was the main inspiration for the brand. ‘My mom has been an ouma for many years to 10 grandchildren – she’s even an