Who we are

SARIE MEHLwas born and bred on a maize farm in the Free State. She matriculated in Bloemfontein at Oranje High School for girls in 1969, obtaining a double B.A Hons degree from the University of Pretoria in 1974. She was elected on the Student's Representative Council for two terms and was also head of the Jasmyn Woman's residence

Sarie spent a few months learning Spanish in Spain before living in Iran lecturing English for two years. During this time she toured extensively in Iran and Afganistan. On her return to South Africa, she joined the Urban Foundation moving on to the Department of Information on the European desk and later to the Guest section. In 1978 she joined the Advertising industry as Head of Information at the advertising company Adverto/D'Arcy Macmanus and Masius. She was appointed as the first woman Account Executive in the company. With Sarie's political and advertising background she was appointed by McCann Ericsson in 1988 as the Account Director for the Municipal Election campaign for South Africa.

In 1990 Sarie found her company Jacana Country Homes and Trails realising the need of many city dwellers to return back to their roots for holidays. She identified a group of landowners who were willing to share their farms with like-minded nature lovers. She pioneered the farmstay and private hiking trails concept in South Africa. Her intense involvement in this business has resulted in the development of more than 250 farm properties entering the tourism market. Her ongoing effort to save and restore many of the old farm buildings by utilising them as accommodation establishments has been a resounding success. Jacana was sold early in 2007 due to family reasons.

Over the plast seventeen years, Sarie has developed one of the biggest reservation offices in the country to handle the reservations of these establishments. She also offered an extensive tour planning service for visitors to South Africa who are looking for ideal country escapes and adventures.

The increasing demand for accommodation and related services in Pretoria and surroundings led to the formation of CONTACTS with Ronelle Henning. Sarie's in-depth and wide knowledge of the industry and personae is a crucial asset to the establishment of CONTACTS.

In 1991 Sarie received an award in recognition of proven success in Entrepreneurship by the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut in Pretoria. She was short-listed as a finalist for the Fair Lady/ Liberty Life Start-up Award competition in the same year. She served on the committees of the Pretoria Sakevroueklub/Businesswomens Club; the National Trails Advisory committee of South African Hiking Association (N.Tac); the SATOUR -Accreditation and Classification Standards Steering Committee and sub committee for the Bed and Breakfast/Farmholiday Accommodation category; the Trail owners Steering committee and on the South African Trail Owners Association.

Sarie is also a beef farmer on the family farm, Wasbank, in Natal. She has been involved in the Pretoria East Nursery school on the parents committee and a member of the governing board of the Waterkloof Primary school. She was elected Chairlady of the prestigious Ambassador Club in Pretoria for three terms.

Sarie was married to the late Jon Mehl, who as an architect, assisted in the restoration of many old farm buildings for the Jacana philosophy. Many of his sketches are found in the Jacana Guide. Sarie has three sons.

She has a wide variety of interests including politics, opera, ballet, classical music, gardening, anthropology, cooking, photography, persian carpets, reading, horse riding, hiking, cattle farming, collecting antique furniture and travelling in South Africa and abroad.

She is passionate about her family, the family farm, close friends, her cattle, horses, ducks and Koi fish and her country South Africa.