South African roosterbrood queen invited to Italy as a special guest

When Stan Engelbrecht from Cape Town met Poppie van As six years ago, a relationship began that is culminating in Poppie being invited to Italy as a special guest.

Who is the roosterbrood queen?

Poppie van As is a 63-year-old lady who sells roosterbrood to passers-by on the N1 in Laingsburg.

Engelbrecht recalls how he met Poppie.

“I happened to be cycling in Laingsburg around New Years about six years ago, and to be honest, the first thing that drew me to Poppie’s roadside stand was the wonderful aroma of her roosterbrood. I bought one – with jam and cheese if I remember correctly – and we had a chat. If you’ve ever met Poppie you’ll know that she is instantly likeable. Just full of great energy. Before I left town I returned to her stand and bought a few more plain roosterbrood, simply because they’re that delicious.”

After this chance meeting, Engelbrecht asked Poppie to make some roosterbrood for a cycle race he was organising.

He says, “She was a huge hit, preparing her roosterbrood on a hill just outside of town near the end of that day’s racing stage. Everyone loved it, and so she was asked to return every year.”

Off to Italy

The Italian representatives at the Eroica South Africa event have invited Poppie to Italy to attend the main Eroica event as a special guest.

Engelbrecht says, “When I told her about the invitation to visit Italy in September,  she ran around screaming at the top of her lungs as she has never left the Western Cape in her life. I know that this is a dream-come-true for her, and this experience will change her life forever.”

BackaBuddy campaign

Whilst the cost of her ticket has been covered by Eroica, Engelbrecht is encouraging the public to help make Poppie’s trip even more memorable by donating any amount of money towards this dream trip.

Donations to the crowdfunding campaign will go towards Poppie’s visa appointment, travel to-and-from Cape Town, getting her a few things that will make her comfortable on her first aeroplane trip, and her first visit overseas. Any funds raised above R45 000 will be used to document Poppie’s adventure and life story in a documentary that is currently being filmed. 

“We hope the public will continue supporting our BackaBuddy campaign so that Poppie can be as comfortable and as confident as possible on this life-changing trip that will enrich her life and sense of self. I also hope it will translate into a better life for her and her family,” says Engelbrecht.

Click here to make a donation to Poppie’s BackaBuddy campaign.

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