25/07/2026
A special message from Ronnie Dick, CEO of the Cattle Baron Franchise 🕊 Today we say goodbye to a truly remarkable man, our dear friend and colleague, Nelson, affectionately known as Madiba.
When we opened the very first Cattle Baron Steak Ranch in Bellville in 1987, we had a dream, a small steakhouse, and a handful of people who believed in that dream. Nelson was one of those people.
When he joined us, he could hardly speak English, but I saw something in him that couldn’t be taught, character, humility, determination, and a willingness to learn. I was the kitchen chef at the time, and Nelson started as a plate maker. Through patience, dedication, and hard work, I trained him to become a griller.
It wasn’t long before he became one of the finest grillers anyone could ask for. He took enormous pride in his work, and every steak that left his grill reflected his commitment to excellence. But perhaps his greatest contribution wasn’t just the thousands of meals he prepared, it was the people he helped shape. Nelson trained many of the grillers who followed him, passing on not only his skills but also his patience, professionalism, and pride in doing the job properly.
For nearly 30 years, Nelson served Cattle Baron with unwavering loyalty. In today’s world, that kind of commitment is rare. He wasn’t simply an employee; he was part of the foundation on which our company was built. He stood with us through the early years, through the challenges, through the growth, and through the success.
Those of us who knew Nelson will remember a gentle man with a kind heart, a quiet strength, and an incredible work ethic. He never sought recognition, yet he earned the respect of everyone around him. His loyalty, humility, and willingness to help others made him someone you could always depend on.
On behalf of myself and everyone at Cattle Baron Steak Ranches, I want to say thank you, Nelson. Thank you for believing in us from the beginning. Thank you for your years of dedication, for the example you set, and for the legacy you leave behind in the many people you trained and inspired.
Although Nelson is no longer with us, his influence lives on in our kitchens, in our people, and in the values he embodied every single day.
Rest in peace, Madiba. You will always be remembered as one of the true pioneers of the Cattle Baron family. Your contribution can never be measured only by the years you gave us, but by the lives you touched and the standard of excellence you helped create.
It has been an honour to have known you, to have worked alongside you, and to have called you our friend.
May you rest in eternal peace.
From our CEO, Ronnie Dick
