By Matsobane Manaka
Dorah Sedibana of Setsong Tea Crafters prepares tea from indigenous plants found in the natural landscapes of Limpopo.
Tea is one of the beverages which was used for over thousand centuries for good reasons until to date.
The writer understands that as many as thousands tea drinkers including the writer, have already taken a sip today.
Popular teas come with variety of flavours (peppermint, ginger, herbal, green tea, aloe, among others) not only to enhance the taste, but provide unique health benefits such as detoxing, reduction of stress, fighting off inflammation and lowering blood pressure, among others.
Temo News team met up with emerging tea growers to unpack the processes of producing a good, quality, and favourable organic brew that kept people, friends, and relatives together for so many years. Both projects offer unique organic tea blends rich with natural ingredients, together having a lasting impact on individual’s wellness.
Setsong Tea Crafters and Refentje Agriculture & Projects are 100% black-owned, women-driven projects that are committed to promote African indigenous knowledge systems and practices.
From left: Joyce Kgokolo, Lydia Mphelane and Nkgadima Mooke showcase their indigenous caffein free coffee made up of Mohlopi indigenous tree.
Setsong Tea Crafters under the stewardship of Nondumiso and Retang Phaahla established the brand under a concept of “Bapedi a re boeleng setsong”, literally translates as “Pedi people, let’s go back to our culture, roots and heritage” at Ga-Matlala, Ga-Ramosheba and Ga-Phaahla villages in Marble Hall, Sekhukhune District in 2013. While Refentse Agriculture & Projects led by Annah Mokwena located at Ga-Mphahlele, Lebowakgomo in Capricorn District.
Both projects aim to create sustainable economic opportunities that will benefit local communities.
Their operations are likely similar in that they, in partnership with rural communities, harvest the indigenous plant in a sustainable manner, the plant then grinded at a processing phase follows by the sorting, washing, cooking, and drying. Following the drying stage, the tea will undergo the quality assurance. The tea will thereafter go the process of value addition, with the infusion of various flavours – from peppermint, ginger, herbal, and strawberries, among others.
The tea will then be packaged and distributed to the market in line with the market requirements.
Their tea, which boost the immune system packed with antioxidants and all essential vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E, and Zinc, is made up of indigenous plants found in the natural landscapes of Limpopo. The tea, in line with the value added herbs, further provides relief on bloating, fatigue, digestive issues, cold and flu and stubborn weight, among others.
Mohlopi Coffee is an indigenous beverage rich with natural ingredients.
Some of their products already found in leading retail stores and pharmacies.
Dr Jacob Wanyama, the Sub-Regional Coordinator (SRC) for Promotion of Local Innovations (Prolinnova) Eastern and Southern Africa who was conducting a South-South backstopping mission said, “our role through research and innovation, in partnership with Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) and University of Limpopo (UL), is to capacitate farmers to drive their own product”. Wanyama adds that his responsibility as an SRC is to assist the region to promote products like those, whose project will relate to Prolinnova platform where about eight countries participate in an international learning network to promote local innovation in agriculture and natural resource management. Wanyana was speaking during the launch of Mohlopi Coffee lately at Refentje Agriculture & Projects at Ga-Mphahlele.
The objective of the backstopping mission include: to assess the situation of Prolinnova-South Africa Country Platform (CP) and offer assistance on specific issues of institutionalisation with UL and Government Research Institution; to undertake field visit to farmer innovation group and identify priorities for possible follow-up; and hold meetings with members of the Prolinnova South Africa CP National Steering Committee and other potential partners to discuss on opportunities for strengthening the platform partnership in promotion of the Local Innovation (LI) approach.
Wanyama advised that participation through information exchange, could assist those projects to access funding from other donors who are part of the network.
MEC of LDARD Thabo Mokone (left) interacts with Dorah Sedibana of Setsong Tea Crafters during the walk-about at the exhibition area after budget speech in Lebowakgomo Legislature.
