In this newsletter we read more about a local Clanwilliam farmer who was named the Rooibos Producer of the Year. Find out more about this competition below.

We also read more about long-service awards that Rooibos Limited awarded to several employees recently. One of our employees even earned recognition for a whopping 35 years worth of dedication to our company.

Also in this newsletter, we read more about the role of Rooibos in the wellness tourism industry and we find out why a professor from NWU has called Rooibos a “cultural treasure” in a recent interview. 

Top, left to right: Anitha Jonker, Clarence Swartz, Rudi Mwagomba

Bottom, left to right: Christo Karools, Winston Fransman, Arend Redelinghuys

Rooibos Limited is proud to work with a group of dedicated employees who have given significant portions of their professional lives in service of our company. 

Six of Rooibos Ltd's employees received recognition for long service on Friday, April 12. These awards ranged from recognition for service from 5 to 35 years! The rewards that were handed out are set out below:

5 YEARS
Anitha Jonker – Housekeeper: Admin

10 YEARS
Clarence Swartz – Operator: Maintenance
Rudi Mwagomba – Stock controller: Packaging
Christo Karools – Operator: Processing

25 YEARS
Winston Fransman – Team leader: Logistics 

35 YEARS
Arend Redelinghuys – Marketing & Sales Director

Thank you to all these employees for their loyalty to Rooibos Limited!

Nico Slinger (De Lille Farming), a farmer based in Clanwilliam, recently walked away as the winner of the annual Rooibos Producer of the Year competition. The competition aims to celebrate and recognise the efforts of local Rooibos farmers in South Africa. 

Gerrie Koopman from the farm, Sonderwaterkraal, was named the runner-up in the Rooibos Producer of the Year category. In another category, Maria Koopman from Sorco in Kleinvlei was named Upcoming Rooibos Producer of the Year. Cheslin Koopman, also from Sorco, bagged second place in this category. 

The prize for Most Sustainable Rooibos Community was awarded to Sedervlei Rooibos Farming Primary Co-Op. Cederberg Feed Primary Co-Op earned second place in this category. Wupperthal Original Rooibos Primary Agricultural Co-Op was named the Best Sustainable Rooibos Community Agri Processing organisation. 

As part of the program, some members of Rooibos Limited gave keynote addresses at the event. Johan Brand, Technical Manager at Rooibos Limited, gave the audience an overview of the Rooibos industry.  Melissa Ferreira, Producer Liaison and Certification Officer, presented a gift to the Keynote Speaker, Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, HoD of the Dept of Agriculture, Western Cape Government who was also in attendance.

Click here to read more. 

Top, left to right: Nico Slinger, Maria Koopman, Gerrie Koopman

Middle, left to right: Cheslin Koopman, Sedervlei Co-Op, Cederberg Co-Op

Bottom, left to right: Wupperthal Co-Op, Dr Mogale Sebopetsa & Melissa Ferreira

According to various sources, Rooibos is playing a significant role in the development of South Africa’s wellness tourism sector. 

Wellness retreats nestled among Rooibos plantations offer tourists a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the serenity of nature while indulging in Rooibos-infused spa treatments, yoga sessions and meditation practices - all of which are practices that international tourists are finding appealing.

According to the SA Rooibos Council, the fact that Rooibos only grows in South Africa sets the country apart in the current wellness tourism boom! 

Click here to read more. 

Rooibos tea, a South African cultural gem, is gaining traction as a potential tourism magnet. Professor Martinette Kruger of North-West University is leading research to explore its tourism potential, buoyed by its recent recognition by the European Union with Protected Designation of Origin status. 

This accolade not only highlights South Africa's agricultural heritage but also positions Rooibos as a unique attraction for international tourists, particularly in the biodiverse Cederberg region. Initiatives like the Rooibos Route and Access and Benefit-sharing agreements offer a foundation for sustainable development, while the popularity of Rooibos in over 30 countries and the versatility in various products promise economic opportunities, especially in rural areas. 

By integrating Rooibos into tourism offerings and promoting Rooibos-related routes and experiences, South Africa aims to celebrate its cultural legacy while driving economic growth in the region, according to the professor. As Kruger put it in her interview with IOL, “Rooibos tea is more than just a beverage; it is a cultural treasure”.

Click here to learn more.