Showing great resilience, having gone through a world in turmoil over the past 99 years – the last seven being the most tumultuous – Orange Grove Dairy has risen from the literal ashes as it prepares for its 2027 centenary.
An emotional Dave Durham, whose grandparents founded the dairy, recalls the early days when milk was sold in gallon cans to today having survived the crippling 2019 fire.

“The fire humbled us. But today we have a stronger Orange Grove because of it. A modern dairy prepared to take on the next 99 years taking our people to greater heights,” Durham said, adding that from ‘just milk’, the dairy now produces over 250 different products, with its maas being the top seller in the country.
Adding power to his words that anyone in the company can rise to be a director, Durham presented vehicles to long-serving staff members David Ngobese (whose company car now boasts a complete refurbishment) and Lee Borlase – who both appeared to be taken aback by the announcement.

‘Future is in our staff’

Orange Grove staff were bused in from Durban, Empangeni and Gauteng to Dundee to tour the factory and join the celebrations.

Durham said the event served as a precursor to next year’s centenary.
“The top management of Orange Grove is not the future. Our staff are the future. We invest in our staff to become leaders and directors, such as Jabulani Khanyile, who has risen to that position after his 29 years of service.

The ‘Can Do Team’ now has the challenge of Foot-and-Mouth Disease affecting the industry. The vaccinations have arrived, and inoculations have been done and will be repeated every six months. Our prayer is that, like all the other challenges, we will overcome this too.”

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