Rosaline van As, known as Tannie Poppie, has resumed her roadside rooster brood business on the N1 highway in Laingsburg after overcoming financial and health challenges. The festive season has boosted her sales, providing much-needed hope at age 69. Visitors continue to flock to her stall, praising her traditional baking.
Rosaline van As, affectionately called Tannie Poppie, has been a fixture on the N1 near Laingsburg for 17 years, selling her handmade rooster brood since starting the business in 2009 to support her family. At 69, she faces ongoing struggles from the Covid-19 pandemic, slow off-seasons, and municipal fees, but the recent festive period has revived her trade.
In January 2026, Tannie Poppie shared with Daily Maverick: “Thanks to the festive season, and the many visitors and tourists stopping again for their favourite rooster brood, I’ve been given much-needed hope. It was exactly what I needed. The business isn’t back to 100% yet, but I take courage. In the past, I used about 10kg of flour a day; now I’m [back up to] around 5kg daily, thanks to the holiday time.”
Her challenges peaked in November 2024 when unpaid R17,000 in municipal fees led to the termination of her rental contract, forcing a temporary closure. She still owes the amount but has been allowed to continue baking. The year 2025 was particularly difficult, with peak earnings of over R600 daily during holidays contrasting off-season lows of under R200, from which she buys supplies and food.
Living in Touws River but staying in a friend's backyard in Laingsburg, Tannie Poppie manages a heart condition and high blood pressure. She remains resilient: “I’m aware it is not easy, but I’m not going to give up. I take it day by day and am grateful for the support from visitors.”
In 2019, a crowdfunding effort took her to Italy for the Eroica cycling event, where she shared her recipe, though she insists the magic lies in her unique kneading and baking.
Visitors like Maria Botha from Cape Town expressed joy at her return: “I’m glad you’re back. Is my breakfast ready? I can’t drive past this stall. This is the best breakfast for me. Now I’m ready for the road.” Nellie Solomons called her a breath of fresh air with delicious bread.
Laingsburg Tourism promotes her as a key attraction, and in August 2025, CapeNature's podcast highlighted her. Julia Louw of Wesgro noted such women as the heart of Western Cape tourism. Tannie Poppie has passed the family recipe to her daughter, Naomi Etson, ensuring the tradition endures.
