Tannie Poppie is on her way to an adventure of a lifetime and it’s all thanks to those who donated to her dream, now Italy can taste Roosterbrood too!
Cape Town, South Africa (26 September 2019) – A group of Italian cyclists tasted Poppie van As’s Roosterbrood or Roosterkoek and listen to her life story. After hearing it all, they were inspired and invited her to their home in Italy. Poppie was overjoyed by the invite. The trip would be her first time leaving the Western Cape!
Stan Engelbrecht, a 43-year-old Capetonian, started raising funds for his dear friend Poppie van As an underprivileged elderly lady who has a small roadside roosterbrood stand on the N1 in Laingsburg.
“Poppie and I met by chance about 6 years ago, and I asked her to come and prepare her famous ‘roosterkoek’ at a few of the bicycling races I organise. Over the years she has made ‘roosterbrood’ at all my races, and she has become part of the family so to speak.”
Stan organises the Eroica in Montagu, which is an Italian event. He manages the event and invited Poppie to make ‘roosterbrood’ for the weary Italian riders.
Roosterkoek (literally grill cake – say “roor-stir-cook”) is the traditional bread to accompany a braai. The roosterkoek are simply balls of bread dough cooked on a grid over the coals, and are best eaten piping hot and straight off the grill.
“During their visit, the Italian representatives were so impressed with Poppie, and her incredible life story, that they invited her to Gaiole, Italy to attend the main Eroica event as a special guest. Myself and my girlfriend Donnet will be travelling with her as escorts.”
Stan set up a crowdfund to pay for Poppie to have a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy. This trip is something she would never be able to do on her own.
Eroica Italy kindly paid for Poppie’s plane ticket, and are hosting her during the 3-day event as their special guest.
“Since Poppie has never left the Western Cape in her life, we decided to take this opportunity to show her Italy for 10 days and take her on a road trip. It has always been her dream to travel overseas. At 63 and being from a poor community, she might never have the opportunity to do so again. Having known Poppie for 6 years I know that this is a dream-come-true for her, and this experience will change her life forever. Please be part of it!”
Yesterday Poppie officially set off to Italy via Turkish Airlines. The airline upgraded her ticket and placed her in Business Class.
“We would like to thank you on behalf of Poppie for the overwhelming support that has been shown to her trip, but more importantly for the interest that you have all had in wanting to see this amazing woman’s story being told. You have all made it possible for us to reach our target. As you may know, a little while ago myself and Donnet started working on a documentary about Poppie.
The story will be exploring her personal history, her life today and of course her trip to Italy and how it will shape her life. With Poppie’s blessing, a 50% share of all potential profits resulting from the documentary will go to her. We are proud to be able to tell her story, and of course the more donations we receive the better we are able to make the final product.”
In the end, her crowdfund hit a whopping R 102,465.16 money that will not only give her the trip of a lifetime but will change her entire life. You can follow her Italian adventure on Instagram here. Also, check out her farewell message to everyone below; she is a total sweetheart!
Update: Tannie Poppie popped up in Macassar in February 2023, to pass her roosterkoek recipe along to her daughter. She shared the heartwarming moment with the team from Smile 90.4fm. Take a read here.
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