Betsy’s roots trace back to North Rhodesia (Zambia) and South Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Betsy and Henry met in Bulawayo, married, and later moved to Boksburg, South Africa, before relocating to Montreal, Canada in 1985. There, they ran an African art shop and began making boerewors at home — a passion that eventually sparked something bigger.
Their homemade boerewors caught attention — even from the South African Embassy, who once ordered 80kg! This prompted Henry to invest in equipment and perfect his meat-curing skills. With support from their daughters, Caron and Yvette, they officially launched Betsy’s Boerewors in Edmonton around 2003/4, operating out of their converted garage.
In 2006, the business moved to its current location, and demand quickly grew. Yvette introduced the now-famous meat pies, and Betsy’s became known for quality, tradition, and homemade taste.
Due to Betsy’s health, the business was sold to Yvonne and Andrew, who renamed it Betsy’s South African Deli and expanded the store with imported South African groceries.
In 2014, Niel, Rozanne, and Nizanne Lourens took over the Deli after falling in love with it. Nizanne, who had joined the team in 2012, had a deep passion for the shop. Since taking over, they've honoured the original recipes by Tannie Betsy, kept traditions alive, and grown Betsy’s into a home for South Africans and many other communities in Edmonton.
Enjoy our milktarts, ystervarkies, cremora and granadilla tarts, peppermint crisp, koeksisters, herzoggies, fudge, malva pudding and more — perfect for sharing or treating yourself.
Pair a homemade pie or bobotie with a fresh salad for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Our biltong, droewors, and chilli bites are made fresh daily, always gluten-free and full of flavour.
Choose from all beef, breakfast sausage, regular, garlic, peri-peri, or curry – all made in-store, always fresh and gluten-free.
We import the best South African products straight to our store — bringing you the quality and flavours you miss most.
Today, Betsy’s South African Deli continues to thrive — offering favourites like biltong, droewors, chilli bites, boerewors, melk tert, mielie meel, and more. Henry and Betsy still visit, offering advice and support as the legacy they built lives on.
“We’re here to serve, and we always welcome your feedback or suggestions!”
HowzitCanada is part of SAIC, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping South Africans integrate into Canadian life. Learn more about our mission and other programs at SAIC
