Jim and Sue Visser: Owners of Nature Fresh Health Products CC, South Africa
Manufacturers of natural, non-toxic alternative health products: Fluoride-Free Toothpaste, Mineral and food supplements, body-care preparations, intimate personal hygiene products and herbal tinctures. Jim and Sue are developers of low-cost health alternatives for Health Practitioners.
We are always available to listen to the public and respond to any problems or complaints they have with their existing products. We use local ingredients and promote the use of South African indigenous medicinal plants wherever possible.
BUSINESS HISTORY
IMAGE DESIGN AND MARKETING: 1978 – 1992
Products: greeting cards, printer’s tray miniatures, herbal bath products and gift items, porcelain dolls.
WACKY ANIMALS: 1992 – 1996
Products: ceramic novelties for gift shops like Cardies, etc.
NATURE FRESH PRODUCTS CC: 1996 – Present
Sue Visser - Health Researcher
BIRTH DATE: 18 October 1953, Vereeniging Hospital. Early childhood in KwaZulu and Mpumalanga. Deceased 2024.
EDUCATION: Matric at Capricorn High in Pietersburg. Won the scholarship award in 1971 and many subject prizes. Studied for a diploma in industrial design at Johannesburg College of Art. Won the Good Hope Textile award.
MARITAL STATUS: Married Jim Visser in 1975 in Zimbabwe. CHILDREN: Vivienne (born July 1976) and Anton (born October 1978).
EARLY CAREERS: Layout designer for Perskor in Johannesburg, working on Rooi Rose magazine. Freelance illustrator for magazines and newspapers in Gauteng (Dec 1974 – 1975). Textile designer for Puma Textiles in Athlone, Cape Town (1975). Freelance illustrator for Fair Lady and other magazines/newspapers, plus graphic design for small businesses (1976).
HOBBIES: Health and medicine, crafts (sewing, sculpting), growing and using medicinal plants. Collector of international toothpaste/oral hygiene products and rocks from different places.
SPORTS: Karate and kickboxing (both 2nd Dan black belts), Tai Chi instructor, yoga and dancing.
TRAVEL: Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Bhutan, Mauritius, Egypt, Greece, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia, Italy, India, Israel, Jordan, Norway, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and many parts of South Africa. These travels and studies of people and their lifestyles deeply inform her health research.
After the birth of our first child, Sue worked from home to raise the family. Together with Jim, they ran their own craft studio, producing items for the local and overseas gift trade. They employed 4 to 6 workers (expanding to 12 during the small factory phase). Nature Fresh was registered in 1997.
Jim Visser - MD, Nature Fresh
BIRTH DATE: 23 October 1947, Haarlem, The Netherlands. Family emigrated to South Africa in 1953 and later to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).
EDUCATION: Schooling in Bulawayo. G.C.E. O and A Levels. Awarded Beit Scholarship to study Architecture at the University of Cape Town. Graduated with B.Arch. in 1972.
CAREERS: Architectural practice in Zimbabwe (1973–1974) and Cape Town (1975–1977).
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: Travelling (Hong Kong, China, Bhutan, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, USA, UK, Jersey, Western & Eastern Europe, Egypt, Mauritius), financial markets, current affairs, life sciences, metaphysics, health and welfare.
SPORTS: Bowls, gym training, martial arts, hiking, Tai Chi, yoga, dancing.
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