O R I G I N S & H I S T O R Y
Tea & Spice Supplier: Wupperthal and Heiveld
Origin: South Africa
Wupperthal and Heiveld is in the arid heights of
the Cederberg in the Western Cape, which owes
its name to two German missionaries who came to
preach at the beginning of the 20th century.
Still under the control of the Moravian church,
the land is mainly dedicated to the cultivation of
rooibos.
The 90 members of the Wupperthal Original
Rooibos Cooperative are determined and proud of
the quality of their land and transform the freshly
cut rooibos themselves into a delicious drink with a
round, sunny aroma.
Founded in 2001 by 14 members, the Heiveld cooperative
is located on the Suid Bokkeveld plateau,
an arid region with poor soils, known for its rare
wildfl owers.
The cooperative, run by a team of women, now has
74 members, and exports the rooibos it produces
organically and through Fairtrade.
Tea & Spice Supplier: Carmién Tea - Bergendal
Origin: South Africa
Located in South Africa in the region of Western
Cape, this family business began in 1998 when the
founder of Carmién tea, discovered the potential of
rooibos.
Bergendal then introduced the cultivation of rooibos,
a plant endemic to the Cederberg region. In 2005
the company decided to off er their employees the
opportunity to get shares in the company. Today
153 employees are shareholders in a Workers’ Trust
that is part of the business. Several projects are carried
out thanks to the Fairtrade premium: training and
information sessions, new infrastructures, set up
of environmental management plan, healthcare
improvements, scholarship grant, nursery - daycare
facilities, socio-cultural and sport activities.