Our Story
From survival to regeneration — and the unexpected beginning of Kairos Tallow Co.
Kairos Regenerative Farming
Our Story
Daniel was born in Sasolburg, where his family lived while his father worked there. When Daniel was 12 years old, they moved to the farm — a turning point that would shape the rest of his life. From the start, Daniel showed an unusual drive. He washed cars and saved every bit of pocket money he earned to buy his first livestock: 50 broiler chickens, 13 hanslammers, and a cow named Blommetjies. His family ended up in a barn, which Daniel gradually transformed into a home. Even at a young age, he carried the heart of a builder — not only of structures, but of systems, land, and legacy.
As a first-generation farmer, Daniel grew his operation step by step, renting land and eventually purchasing Farm Bankies in Edenville from his mother. Through discipline, vision, and relentless work ethic, he expanded further and acquired the neighbouring farm. In 2010, the year we were married, farming was thriving and momentum was strong.
During this season, Daniel owned and managed a 6,500-head sheep feedlot — a large-scale, high-performance operation that demanded precision, leadership, and constant decision-making. It was a time marked by growth, intensity, and achievement, refining his ability to operate at scale and under pressure.
Always an entrepreneur at heart, we later founded the Thomas Family Farmstead Café, alongside Daniel Thomas Roasted Coffee. The café became a successful family business and an invaluable training ground, sharpening our understanding of cash flow, margins, people management, and sustainability beyond the farm gate. While the café chapter has closed, Daniel Thomas Roasted Coffee continues today, supplying quality roasted coffee and remaining part of our family’s story.
We then returned to Edenville and stepped into one of Daniel’s strongest seasons: the acquisition of a Dormer sheep stud. By God’s grace and through Daniel’s natural aptitude for genetics and animal selection, the stud flourished. Over four years, it grew into one of the leading Dormer studs in South Africa, earning respect within the industry and confirming Daniel’s reputation as a skilled and discerning stockman.
With a clear vision for the future, we later chose to release that chapter and pursue new opportunities abroad. When global circumstances delayed those plans, we embraced a season of travel, reflection, and perspective — time that allowed us to step back and ask deeper questions about land, farming, and long-term purpose.
It was during this mature, reflective season that regenerative farming became more than a concept — it became a calling.
Rather than chasing production for production’s sake, Daniel recognised the power of systems that restore instead of extract. By aligning livestock movement with natural patterns and allowing the land to function as it was designed to, farming became calmer, more resilient, and more sustainable — both economically and ecologically.
Regenerative farming aligned seamlessly with Daniel’s lifelong instinct: build systems that endure.
Today, our farming is rooted in stewardship. Healthy soils, resilient grasslands, and calm, well-adapted animals form the foundation of everything we do. We believe true success is measured not only by growth, but by longevity — leaving the land better, the animals stronger, and the next generation equipped to continue.
This is not a story of loss.
It is a story of vision, faith, and a farmer who has always moved forward.
Kairos Tallow Co
From a simple idea to natural skincare
Kairos Tallow Co began in the most unexpected way — with a cow. On our regenerative farm, after processing one of our cattle, we found ourselves with a lot of fat on hand. Instead of wasting it, we began wondering what we could do with it. That moment of curiosity turned into something much bigger than we ever imagined.
Because we were already practicing regenerative farming, it felt right to take what nature gives and transform it into something good, clean, and useful. Beef tallow turned out to be just that — a pure, nutrient-rich ingredient, free from synthetic chemicals, and filled with benefits for the skin.
- Pure, nutrient-rich ingredient
- Free from synthetic chemicals
- Made from our own cattle
- Inspired by nature and stewardship
For me, Riekie, Kairos Tallow Co is more than just a business. Since marrying Daniel in 2010, I’ve made my life on the farm, after studying hairdressing and moving away from the city. I always dreamed of creating something from home — something meaningful, something I could pour both my creativity and care into.
Our name comes from the Greek word Kairos, which means the “right or opportune moment in time.” For us, it’s about seizing the opportunity to turn what we have into something of value, and to share products that honor both nature and the right timing.
What started as a simple idea on the farm has grown into a journey of creating natural skincare that reflects who we are: grounded in the land, inspired by nature, and driven by the belief that the right time to begin is always now.