“Un bon repas adoucit l’esprit et régénère le corps”, this is a French saying, which means, “ A good meal softens the mind and regenerates the body”. As dieticians we have always admired the French, as they cultivate healthy relationships with food, believing it can bring nourishment and health. There just is something about a good meal that nourishes not only the body but also the soul. That is why we chose a French name for the company.
About En Bonne Santé
En Bonne Santé is French for, “In good health”, and this is something we have always wanted for our clients. We believe that everyone deserves happiness and health. One thing we’ve always highlighted is that health isn’t health if mental health isn’t included.
In France, food and mealtimes are sacred. When preparing a dish, the freshest, best quality ingredients one can afford is chosen. Before anyone takes a bite, the table is laid with care, even if it’s just a simple lunch. During mealtimes, people put away their phones, no one watches the clock and they mindfully enjoy their meals. This is what we aim to instil in our clients and patients.
How it started and where we are now
There are many superstitions surrounding leap day, some believe the day is good for healing, learning and love. They also think it’s a time to follow your soul’s innermost desires and ambitions, this was true for us as En Bonne Santé was born on 29 February 2016.
It started as an on-the-go bakery, but the long-term vision was to have a wellness centre with offices and many other practitioners represented. Then the practice started part-time in 2017 while Retha was working a corporate job at a vitamin company. In 2019 they became established in the offices they occupy today.
Meet the team
Retha Harmse
Retha is the middle child of three, with an older sister and younger brother. She was raised in Potchefstroom, where she attended Hoër Volkskool. Before attending North West University she completed a gap year. She enjoys reading, cycling with her husband, bargain hunting and spicy food.
At university, she made life-long friends, including Michelle, and discovered her passion for nutrition. For her fourth-year internship, she was placed in Parktown at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. For her community service year, she worked in Bethlehem in the Free State. It was a small district hospital and they served 9 clinics in the surrounding areas, where she had the opportunity to help at the Regional hospital for 3 months.
When Retha was baptised, it was prophesied that she would be involved in healing, specifically spiritual and mental healing. Now today, 3 years later, she is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team at the day clinic. They see all the patients admitted and help patients with eating difficulties, improving their relationships with food and being intuitive eaters.
Michelle Zietsman
Michelle is the youngest of two girls, raised by loving parents in Potchefstroom. Growing up she was very introverted until she went to university, where she came out of her shell and turned into a social butterfly. She is married, with two beautiful black pugs named Britney and Bruno. As a couple, they cannot wait to expand their family and have children of their own.
While studying Dietetics at North-West University, she found a love for nutrition. Here she met some of the most amazing women, who to this day are her dearest friends, including Retha. After graduating she was placed in Vanderbijlpark for her community service year, at Kopanong hospital in Vereeniging.
She now works as a registered dietician in Johannesburg with Retha at the day clinic, a psychiatric day hospital. Where they see adult and adolescent patients admitted to the program. They also do group sessions discussing nutrition and mental health. Their focus is on the principles of intuitive eating and dialectical behavioural therapy. Intuitive eating aims to cultivate a healthy relationship with food, by working towards healing broken relationships with food, body and mind.
We have come a long way since the company was started part-time in 2017, and we’re not stopping now. We cannot wait to see what this life has in store for the practice! Get in touch with us or book a consultation to start a healthy journey with food that’s good for the soul.