By Matsobane Manaka and Maphuti Machabaphala
The project has the capacity of producing and dispersing thousands of tins per month to the markets.
Temo News team from Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) met up with indigenous tea producers, Setšong Tea Crafters. The move was to understand the processes behind the production of a good, quality, and favourable organic brew that kept people, friends, and relatives together for so many years.
Tea is undoubtedly remained one of the sweetest beverages which was used for over thousand centuries for good reasons until to date.
Unlike other popular teas, Setšong Tea Crafters offers a unique herbal organic tea blend – Tepane (Black Bush) and Diya (Red Root), rich with natural ingredients, sourced from the wilderness, and found underground in the natural landscapes of the province. Under Black Bush, additional varieties include: the original blend, lemon ginger and cinnamon, chai spiced fusion and orange. The Red Root category featured the original blend of strawberry and fennel, lemon ginger and berry, orange ginger and turmeric.
The tea from untapped indigenous plants does not only serve a purpose of enhancing the taste given different flavours but provide a wide range of unique lasting health benefits. With the value-added herbs, the tea boosts the immune system, that is packed with antioxidants and all essential vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E, and Zinc. The tea further provide relief on bloating, fatigue, digestive issues, cold and flu and stubborn weight, among others.
Dorah Sedibana of Setšong Tea Crafters prepares tea from indigenous plants found in the natural landscapes of Limpopo.
Setšong Tea Crafters is a 100% black-owned company driven by the innovation and passion of the youth and women. It promotes African indigenous knowledge systems and practices.
Setšong Tea Crafters under the stewardship of Nondumiso and Retang Phaahla established the brand under a concept of “Bapedi a re boeleng setšong”, 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.
With a capacity of 30 permanent employees (mainly youth and females), the entity can produce 10 000 tins of various teas manufactured at the factory. The operational activities include harvesting of indigenous plant roots in a sustainable manner to preserve knowledge for future generations, the roots therefore undergo various processes from sorting, cleaning, chopping, shredding, cooking, and drying. After the drying phase, the tea will undergo the quality assurance. The tea will thereafter go to the last process of value addition, with the infusion of various flavours – from peppermint, ginger, herbal, and strawberries, among others.
With the assistance from LDARD, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and the Local Municipality, the tea will then be packaged, branded, and distributed to the market in line with the market requirements. The tea crafters are venturing into a new market within the food and beverage market where they will be producing their own in-house Gin, alcoholic beverage.
Setšong teas are already found in leading retail stores and pharmacies. An indication of the commitment made by the enterprise to create sustainable economic opportunities that already benefiting local communities.
Harvesting of roots for Setšong tea is done in a sustainable manner to preserve the tree for generations to come.
The plant gets chopped off and left for drying during the processing stage.
Setšong Tea Crafters offers a unique organic tea blends rich with natural ingredients, together having a lasting impact on individual’s wellness.
Setšong products already found in leading retail stores and pharmacies.
