The town is abuzz over the visit of the legendary queen of roosterkoek, Aunt Poppie van As. Aunt Poppie will still be in town on Monday (8 August).
Aunty Poppie, the Laingsburg local famous for the most delicious roosterkoek (which she actually prefers to call roosterbrood), is currently visiting Worcester.
Locals have been queueing before her stand since her arrival about ten days ago.
Aunty Poppie and son Pieter Natal are currently located at 100 Russell Street, in front of Lekker Lekkers.
“I am so happy they are here,” says Elmar Spies, owner of the shop they are currently occupying.
She said she had written to Aunty Poppie about three weeks ago inviting her to the Breede Valley.
“There is nothing happening in Laingsburg, and I thought I’d invite her so she can come and try Worcester out at month-end, in the hopes that she’d be able to earn an extra buck.”
After the letter had been sent she also sent Spies an SMS on Wednesday evening asking if she was still coming.
“I was so excited!”
Spies quietly goes about her business as people stand in long lines outside her shop, awaiting their turn to buy the famous roosterkoek.
“On the first two days Poppie and her son went through about 80 kg of flour – that is the welcome she received in Worcester.”
Tearing up, Spies shares about the welcome the two received from the people of the town.
On their accommodation for the week she says: “Luckily her sister is from Worcester, so they are staying with her.”
Aunty Poppie, short and pert, walks in and out of Lekker Lekkers while people queue. It is the duo’s third batch of dough for the morning and people just keep on joining the queue.
“I’m willing to go wherever people want me,” she says as she heads to the kitchen that Spies has gladly opened to them.
After her husband’s death two years ago Aunty Poppie had to pull a rabbit out of a hat to be able to put food on the table, especially in this tough economy.
“The welcome I received from the people of Worcester has been overwhelming. I didn’t feel scared, people supported me from the onset,” says Aunty Poppie.
“I trust the Lord.”
Since the inception of her business 14 years ago she has taught most of her children how to knead dough, braai and cut the bread.
Her son expressed his gratitude to Elmar Spies, Riaan Laubscher and business as well as the Breede Valley mayor’s office for supporting them.
“I am especially proud of my mum, for all she has achieved and I look forward to take over the business one day.”
According to Natal, they are planning on also visiting Robertson and Rawsonville.
