An agreement between the South African Rooibos Council (SARC) and the Khoi and San communities, signed nearly three years ago, has finally come to fruition.
READ MORE: Rooibos: from seedling to teacup
The SARC has paid R12.2 million to these communities, from whom they receive traditional knowledge of rooibos and its commercial use.
Although the agreement was signed in 2019, discussions have been under way since 2014, when the Khoi and San communities were recognised by the government as the rightful holders of traditional knowledge of rooibos.
The agreement entails a benefit-sharing levy of 1.5%, paid out into a trust annually. The funds are intended to uplift both communities, who will use it at their discretion, to alleviate poverty and increase food security, biodiversity conservation and social development.
Other benefits include employment opportunities and support to around 160 small farms in the Western and Northern Cape.
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