Wine came south, now South Africans are introducing ‘le braai’ and ‘can-do’ spirit to France – Carel Nolte

Centuries ago, the French Huguenots sowed the seeds of winemaking in South Africa. Now, the tables have turned—South Africans are bringing a taste of their own culture back to French soil. One of them is South African businessman Christo Lindeque, who, along with his wife Elbe, breathed new life into Château de Montfleur, a 15th-century turreted château that had stood uninhabited for decades. The manager of Château de Montfleur, Carel Nolte, told BizNews in an interview that there are now about 30 South Africans living in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, including artists and entrepreneurs who have opened shops. Although French bureaucracy can be challenging, Nolte says the community has been exceptionally welcoming—and the South Africans have even introduced their beloved tradition of ‘le braai’ to the locals.

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Edited transcript of the interview

Linda van Tilburg (00:03.458)

The French left an indelible mark on South Africa—from their vineyard expertise that shaped our wine industry to French surnames scattered across the country. But now the tables have turned. South Africans are bringing a taste of our culture to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in France. Think hospitality, art, and that can-do attitude we’re known for—served with far less attitude than your average French waiter.

Joining us in the BizNews studio is Carel Nolte, manager of Château de Montfleur, a 15th-century castle beautifully restored by a South African couple. Thanks so much for joining us.

Carel Nolte (00:38.111)

Thanks so much. It’s great being here—always wonderful to talk about Château de Montfleur. Thank you.

Linda van Tilburg (00:43.256)

Let’s start with Château de Montfleur, then move to the other South Africans who’ve joined you. I think most South Africans will be a little jealous when they see the sunshine where you are right now.

Carel Nolte (00:47.519)

Absolutely.

Carel Nolte (00:53.715)

It’s beautiful, warm weather.

Linda van Tilburg (00:56.149)

So what’s the story of Château de Montfleur?

Carel Nolte (00:58.879)

It’s a stunning rural château in the heart of France, bought by Christo and Elbe Lindeque a few years ago. Christo had built a successful career in South Africa’s motor industry. They weren’t retiring—they’re not that type—but wanted a different lifestyle.

They discovered the château, bought it, and—as always—decided to create something special. A memory-making destination that would add value to the region and welcome tourists, especially South Africans.

It had stood empty for about eight decades. Part of it is a listed building, so they had to navigate French bureaucracy—which can be a challenge but also reflects how seriously the French preserve their heritage.

Christo and Elbe did most of the restoration themselves. He jokes that after years as a successful businessman—starting out as a mechanic—he’s back to working with his hands. Today the château has five suites, with more accommodation being added. We’ve hosted media, influencers, and currently, twelve South Africans here for a bridge tournament.

It’s set in the peaceful Creuse district—absolutely magnificent.

Linda van Tilburg (02:55.469)

But it’s not the only thing going on. I believe there are about 30 South Africans in the area?

Carel Nolte (03:02.687)

Absolutely. The château is close to Aubusson, a UNESCO town known for tapestries, and to Busseau-sur-Creuse, where around 30 South African families have homes. Some have renovated small one-bedroom spots, others larger estates—including Christo’s château.

Most don’t stay permanently but spend summers here. They’ve added so much to the region—not just economically, but creatively and entrepreneurially.

There’s Ardren Diederik, a successful South African artist with a foundry where he casts bronze works sold across Europe and South Africa. Louis Jansen van Vuuren, artist-author. Sunel Kotze, formerly of Stellenbosch, now runs a thriving business here.

At Château de Montfleur, we spotlight these talents—guests visit Ardren’s studio, Sunel’s shop, and more. We're deeply engaged with the local French community. The South Africans are even hosting events for 14 July celebrations. Plus, the national sheep shearing competition of France is happening here soon. It reflects our diversity and that trademark South African grit.

Linda van Tilburg (05:14.902)

Well, the French are known for their flair, so how much of a South African touch were you able to add without ruffling any Gallic feathers?

Carel Nolte (05:22.301)

I think they've absolutely loved it, because what Christo and Elbe did from the beginning was bring their own travel experiences. So, a lot of the art and décor in the château is South African—some pieces from well-known designers, plus quirky items from back home, all mixed with authentic old French heritage. And the French love that. It’s part of that shared history we spoke about earlier.

Christo’s surname, Lindeque, also gives them just enough of a French connection to keep them smiling. The local community is very accepting of South Africans, especially those who make the effort to learn the language. And while there is bureaucracy and it’s not always plain sailing running a business here, Christo’s shown that it’s possible setting up the business, doing your taxes, ticking all the legal boxes.

He ran a business with 455 people reporting to him, and he’s brought all that experience into running the château. A lot of lessons learned from managing a BMW dealership are being applied here. I think he's showing the French a thing or two—South African businesspeople don't have to step back. They're phenomenal, both in South Africa and here.

One of the things I love most is that the South Africans in this part of France aren’t here because they’re running away from South Africa. They’re passionate South Africans, still very involved back home, but also using their talents abroad.

Linda van Tilburg (06:58.091)

Do you add some South African flair to your dishes—like boerewors in your bouillabaisse?

Carel Nolte (07:09.279)

Good question. The short answer is yes. At the château, which dates back hundreds of years, there’s a lovely area called Le Braai. When guests arrive, we fire it up with a few ‘braai broodjies.’ I probably shouldn't say this, but I don’t think the meat compares to South African meat—but we make do!

We mix in French dishes as well. On Thursdays, we visit the local market with guests, buy fresh produce, and cook based on what’s available. The tomatoes here are huge and juicy. You can get kilos of cherries for almost nothing.

We combine French and South African flavours in lots of ways. Whether it's a braaied venison tart or a malva pudding with a French twist—they love it. We want to offer the best of France and South Africa. Christo’s goal is for guests to leave with lasting memories. It’s such a peaceful place—I took a lovely long walk this morning. It gets light early, and sunset’s around 10:30. Magical for slowing down and reconnecting.

Linda van Tilburg (08:44.841)

I’ve spoken to South African businesses overseas—like Ocean Basket—and they’ve said it’s hard to find people to work for you. Is that a problem there, given the cost of labour?

Carel Nolte (08:57.407)

Absolutely. Labour is very expensive, which is one reason Christo’s had to do a lot of the work himself. Either it’s too costly or people just take too long to show up. So, we’ve mostly done it ourselves. That said, the French government is starting to support South African businesses and entrepreneurs more actively. Visas can be a challenge—we went through that. But there are agencies now helping with expansion.

Some aeronautical businesses in Toulouse got a foot in the door thanks to that support. It’s a good sign. They're launching programs to boost trade and investment between our countries. The French–South African Business Chamber is really active.

Linda van Tilburg (10:13.459)

When it comes to weddings—many South Africans still go home for wine farm ceremonies. Are you trying to lure them to Château de Montfleur?

Carel Nolte (10:22.207)

Absolutely! I live in Stellenbosch, so I know those wine farm weddings well. But I can honestly say it’s probably cheaper to host your wedding here, in the middle of France, than on a wine farm in Stellenbosch.It’s stunning. And it’s not just for South Africans—French guests love it too. We hosted a 90th birthday for a local woman who knew the château when she was five.

Elbe, Christo’s late wife, was renowned for her hospitality. We’ve got a barn and everything you’d need. We’re expanding into events but want to keep things bespoke—not mass weddings.

We prefer working with people we know or who come recommended. Christo is very hands-on, even though he likes to stay behind the scenes. He’s the last one to bed, after too much rosé—and the first one up in the morning.

It’s a great area for golf, with excellent courses nearby. There’s a racetrack not far off, and another property nearby inspired Babylonstoren’s gardens. Chef Chantel from Overture recently opened a château five hours from us, adding her South African flair to the local culinary scene.

Linda van Tilburg (12:24.253)

So—do you drink French or South African wine over there?

Carel Nolte (12:26.699)

I love wine, so that’s a tough one! Here, I drink mostly French wine—it’s cheaper than buying water. Very civilized.

I enjoy rosé in this weather—the only issue is stopping myself from drinking too much! It’s inexpensive and delicious. Being here, you can explore wines from nearby regions and even head to Barcelona in a few hours. It’s an amazing base for travel and discovery.

Linda van Tilburg (13:08.657)

Last question—the language. How important is it to speak good French?

Carel Nolte (13:13.245)

Honestly? It’s not essential. The French are very accommodating, and with tools like Google Translate, it’s manageable.

Still, it helps if you try. They appreciate the effort. Learning their language is a privilege—we’re guests here after all.

It’s not easy later in life, but the locals love our grit, can-do attitude, and humour. We laugh at ourselves, and Christo and the team made tons of mistakes in the beginning—but you learn and push on.

If you don’t have stamina and resilience like a South African, you won’t succeed—anywhere. That’s why South Africa keeps going. We have amazing people. And honestly, we should be less tolerant of those who don’t pull their weight. This region shows what’s possible.

Linda van Tilburg (14:28.837)

Carel Nolte thank you for speaking to us. Merci beaucoup, a bientôt. 

Carel Nolte (14:33.119)

It’s a great opportunity for anyone to visit. And we really appreciate everything BizNews does. I love keeping up with news from South Africa—your coverage of business is excellent. So, thank you!