Sylvia Vollenhoven
The people of the Cederberg belt have achieved what few communities globally have managed. They have fought a battle for something entirely intangible… recognition of the Traditional Knowledge associated with Rooibos, the lifeblood of many of the hamlets.
The film Rooibos Restitution that tells the story of the historic struggle of the people of the Cederberg to win recognition for the Traditional Knowledge of the Khoi and San will premiere at The Baxter Theatre on Thursday January 31st at 8 pm. The screening is a fundraiser for Wupperthal disaster relief and is being coordinated by the Natural Justice NGO. Booking via Webtickets.
The road from the coast to Wupperthal is gently undulating. Getting there is a slow ascent of the Cederberg Mountains. No mean feat but the reward is great. The journey into the heart of this historic hamlet comes with remarkable revelations and breathtaking vistas.
The people of the Cederberg belt have achieved what few communities globally have managed. They have fought a battle for something entirely intangible… recognition of the Traditional Knowledge associated with Rooibos, the lifeblood of many of the hamlets.
Drinking Rooibos, bathing in it, washing your hair and sometimes even eating the little red sticks (‘stokkies tee’ like my grandmother used to say), is something we’ve taken for granted. As a kid I was embarrassed that it was all we had in the tea tins. I longed for the sophistication of the more expensive ‘Ceylon’ variety or even the adult privilege of a cup of coffee.
Now it turns out my grandmother was taking care of our health and preserving a heritage that has earned the Khoi and San people global recognition in recent times. And the story of this recognition starts here in Wupperthal.
Wupperthal, surrounded by the Cederberg Mountains. Image Ryan Lee Seddon
Fire Devastation
The Natural Justice NGO and the funders who have supported the people of the Cederberg –mainly the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southern Africa – commissioned me to Direct and produce a film telling this fascinating story. As we were recently planning the release of the film, the village was devastated by fire during the 2018 festive season.
As a result, Natural Justice and their partners – that also include the Open Society Initiative and the ABS Capacity Development Initiative – are now using the premiere of the film to raise funds for Wupperthal disaster relief.
In places the road to the village is no more than a winding bit of gravel. Tumbling down the mountainside is a very real threat. The tale of how the Khoi and San growers are making history with the Rooibos plant in these remote settlements has many twists and turns, just like the uphill road from Clanwilliam.
Barend Salamo, the unofficial mayor of the village and also chairperson of the Wupperthal Co-op called Rooibos Originals that represents local growers, tells the groundbreaking story with a no-nonsense style that is prevalent among the mountain people.
“Our mother did not always have enough breast milk and she gave her children Rooibos tea as a substitute for breast milk. Rooibos tea runs in my veins, it’s a part of us. That is why, when you talk about Rooibos tea, you’re talking about our heritage, it’s part of our existence.”
It’s a long way from being suckled on stokkies tee to traveling the world to negotiate Rooibos deals. But the work of Barend, the other Rooibos growers in the Cederberg and the host of funders and stakeholders with whom they have been working, has been made easier by international protocols.
Barend Salamo, Chair of the Wupperthal Rooibos Originals Co-op. Photo Denver Breda
Khoi & San Holders of Traditional Knowledge
Firstly, there’s the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). This is a framework that ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from industries like Rooibos. Then there’s the Nagoya Protocol that governs how access to Rooibos and Benefit Sharing should be implemented at a national level.
The South African government supplemented these global regulations with a special investigation, dubbed the TK (Traditional Knowledge) Report. The report states with regard to Rooibos and Honeybush:
“There is no evidence that disputes that the Khoi and San are holders of Traditional Knowledge… The TK for Rooibos and Honeybush rests with the communities who originate in these areas.”
Armed with this level of support the people of the Cederberg approached the commercial Rooibos industry. Their aim was to pressurise the industry into signing what is known as an ABS Agreement (Access and Benefit Sharing). It has taken many years, much heartache and tough negotiations. But that deal is finally about to be signed.
This means that in order to exploit Rooibos commercially, benefits will have to be paid to South Africa’s Khoi and San communities.
Lesle Jansen is an environmental lawyer with the Natural Justice NGO. She and her organisation are key movers in this landmark fight for recognition and benefits. The mission of Natural Justice is to conserve and preserve biodiversity by supporting indigenous people and local communities.
Jansen says: “It’s about benefits, but it’s more about the dignity. Its giving back and its some form of healing and restitution to get that acknowledgement. Phase one has been to secure the rights, which has been a massive fight. Phase two is what are you going to do with those rights. It was so much hard work just to get here.”
Professor Rachel Wynberg holds a research chair at the University of Cape Town, advising government and civil society on biodiversity. She looks at social and environmental issues relating to natural products, with a focus on justice questions.
She says: “Rooibos epitomises some of the opportunities but also the fraught issues that are involved in the South African natural products industry. Fraught issues like access to land, exploitation of traditional knowledge without giving adequate recognition.”
Amelia Koopman, Chair of the Kleinvlei Rooibos Co-op. Image Ryan Lee Seddon
Far Reaching Implications
If you find the mountain passes from Clanwilliam to Wupperthal fraught with danger, the winding animal path to nearby Kleinvlei will truly test your faith. Amelia Koopman who chairs the local Rooibos Co-op in this village says as children they walked barefoot over the mountains to get to school. She is one of the few women involved in the many years of tough negotiations between the Rooibos growers of these villages, the Khoi and San people and the commercial industry based mainly in Clanwilliam. She says the government research and the final recognition of their Traditional Knowledge has far-reaching implications.
“Dit was verskriklike baie narvorsing wat gedoen was om seker te maak dit is die Khoi en die San se Tradisionele Kennis. Ek het net gedink ‘dankie’, al kry ek nie geld waarde nie ek kry die waarde van my Voorouers. Al sal ek nie daai groot geld benut nie maar net daai trots om te weet die kom van ons af, dit was al vir my al klaar a prys. Dit kan help om ons kinders verder te laat leer. Dit is belangrik dat ons kinders (ons was eers kleurling nou Khoi en San) dat ons kinders daai self vertroue kry wat die kommersiele boere gekry het. Jy kan a boontjie plant en ‘n sak boontjies wen.”
[A great of amount of research was done to establish that it is the Traditional Knowledge of the Khoi and San. I thought ‘thank you’, even if I don’t get monetary value I am enjoying the wealth of my Ancestors. Even if we don’t receive big money payouts, we have the pride of knowing this comes from us. That was for me a reward in itself. It can help with our children’s education. It is important that our children – we were first coloured now we are Khoi and San – have that self confidence that the commercial farmers have been given. You can plant one bean and win a whole bag of beans.]
The remarkable Rooibos, a Fynbos bush that refuses to grow anywhere else in the world. Image Ryan Lee Seddon
Thriving In Adverse Conditions
There is something quite uncanny about how closely the characteristics of the Rooibos plant mirrors the ways of the people of the Cederberg Mountains. Many foreigners have tried but this variety of fynbos simply refuses to grow anywhere else. In adverse conditions, like mountain fires, the plant thrives.
Amelia Koopman works very closely with Barend Salamo in Wupperthal. He adds:
“We don’t have papers, but we can tell you precisely what you can use Rooibos for, and what you can use for ailments. We did not learn it from books, we learnt it from our parents.”
A turning point in their long struggle has been the decision by the Swiss Multinational Nestlé to start making payments in terms of an ABS agreement with them. Cecil le Fleur who is the chair of the National Khoi & San Council says:
“We must admit we never had problems persuading Nestlé to enter into agreement with the Khoi and San negotiating team. We used our good relationship with Nestlé to persuade (South African) producers to come to the table. Nestlé then started to make payments. Till now we received two payments. Given the fact that we have received the acknowledgement from the Rooibos Industry we will enter into more serious talks on how the real Access and Benefit Sharing Agreement will be rolled out. The parties that will be involved will be the National Khoi & San Council, the San Council and the Rooibos Council…. And in an overarching role, the government’s Department of Environmental Affairs.”
He explains further: “The thing that the company needs is a permit (to exploit Rooibos) and that permit requires of the company to have a Benefit Sharing Agreement with the community that claims to be the knowledge holders of the product that they are using.”
The people of the Cederberg have fought a battle on behalf of all of us. Photo Denver Breda
Barend Salamo connects this 21st Century progress the community has made with the ancient heritage of the Khoi and San people:
“The Khoi and the San learnt from animals and there is a relationship between us and plants that no-one can take away from us. It’s a deep anchor. You just need to remind our people, you don’t have to teach them to awaken the spirit within them. If you talk about the Khoi and the San, they are not only in Wupperthal, they are spread across the country. It will be interesting to see how this benefit that will come out of this process will be shared.”
The people of the Cederberg have fought a battle on behalf of all of us. The people of these small mountain villages have achieved something never before done in South Africa. They have staked their claim to legal ownership of something entirely intangible… The Traditional Knowledge of our Ancestors. And they’ve won. There are few places in the world where such a claim has succeeded.
Not only that… They’ve fought for a share of every rand earned by the big Rooibos companies who have misappropriated Khoi and San traditional knowledge in the past.
This could well be one of the most important steps to redress historic injustice. And it’s all because of a finicky fynbos bush that refuses to grow anywhere else in all the world.
When we drove down the mountain at the end of the final day of shooting the Rooibos Restitution film, we were excited about the prospects for the future of Wupperthal. The fire in December 2018 left us heartbroken. But like the Rooibos plant after the seasonal mountain fires, the people have rallied. They are using the tragedy not only to rebuild Wupperthal but to launch a land claim that will turn their fortunes around.
After all they have achieved, they still do not own the land on which they grow the Rooibos. But that is a story for another day and requires another slow ascent of the breathtaking Cederberg Mountains.
The film Rooibos Restitution that tells the story of the historic struggle of the people of the Cederberg to win recognition for the Traditional Knowledge of the Khoi and San will premiere at The Baxter Theatre on Thursday January 31st at 8 pm. The screening is a fundraiser for Wupperthal disaster relief and is being coordinated by the Natural Justice NGO. Booking via Webtickets.
I’m extremely impressed along with your writing talents and also with the layout in your blog. Is this a paid topic or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is uncommon to see a great blog like this one these days..
Picture this – 3 am in the morning, I had a line of fiends stretched around the corner of my block. It was in the freezing middle of January but they had camped out all night, jumping-ready to buy like there was a sale on Jordans. If you were 16 years old, in my shoes, you’d do anything to survive, right? I got good news though; I MADE IT OUT OF THE HOOD, with nothing but a laptop and an internet connection. I’m not special or lucky in any way. If I, as a convicted felon that used to scream “Free Harlem” around my block until my throat was sore, could find a way to generate a stable, consistent, reliable income online, ANYONE can! If you’re interested in legitimate, stress-free side hustles that can bring in $3,500/week, I set up a site you can use: https://incomecommunity.com
May I request that you elaborate on that? Your posts have been extremely helpful to me. Thank you!
delta 8 marco island
Please tell me more about this. May I ask you a question?
Sustain the excellent work and producing in the group!
Thank you for writing this post. I like the subject too.
Amazing content. Very Cool. I just added it to my “top blogs list” alongside influencergrowthapp.com
Beli 4D Online | Magnum | Sport Toto | Da ma cai | Singapore Lotto | Grand Dragon Lotto | Sandakan 4D | CashSweep | Sabah 88 | 9 Lotto | Buy 4d online | 4D Nombor di https://bit.ly/cm4d-web
4D Online | Magnum | Sport Toto | Da ma cai | Singapore Lotto | Grand Dragon Lotto | Sandakan 4D | CashSweep | Sabah
I enjoy what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and reporting! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
Someone essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular publish incredible. Magnificent job!
Hey very nice website!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your I’m happy to find a lot of useful info here in the post, we need work out more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
9 lotto and gd lotto also 4d lotto availabe online https://www.facebook.com/beli4donline
I must get across my affection for your generosity giving support to visitors who absolutely need help with this important theme. Your special commitment to getting the message all around has been pretty practical and has continually encouraged some individuals just like me to reach their endeavors. Your amazing warm and friendly facts implies this much a person like me and still more to my mates. With thanks; from everyone of us.
What抯 Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist other users like its helped me. Good job.
I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I抣l add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
An attention-grabbing dialogue is value comment. I feel that you need to write extra on this topic, it might not be a taboo topic but typically individuals are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is actually irritating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.
Hey there! I’ve been reading your web site for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic work!
Hi my friend! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I抎 like to see more posts like this.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested. Kudos!
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
Thanks for your write-up. One other thing is that if you are selling your property all on your own, one of the difficulties you need to be alert to upfront is when to deal with house inspection reports. As a FSBO seller, the key concerning successfully shifting your property along with saving money on real estate agent commission rates is information. The more you know, the easier your sales effort will probably be. One area when this is particularly vital is reports.
I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You are incredible! Thanks!
I have mastered some new issues from your web site about pc’s. Another thing I have always considered is that laptop computers have become something that each household must have for a lot of reasons. They offer convenient ways in which to organize households, pay bills, go shopping, study, listen to music and even watch tv shows. An innovative technique to complete these types of tasks has been a mobile computer. These personal computers are mobile ones, small, effective and mobile.
delta 8 pennslyvania
Well I sincerely enjoyed reading it. This tip offered by you is very helpful for correct planning.
Thank you for every one of your hard work on this site. My niece delights in conducting research and it is simple to grasp why. Most of us learn all relating to the lively mode you offer insightful tricks on the website and in addition encourage participation from the others on this topic so my simple princess is undoubtedly studying a great deal. Have fun with the remaining portion of the year. You’re the one conducting a good job.
hello there and thank you for your info ?I抳e certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this website, since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again very soon..
4d Lotto – Join lotto 4d and bet 4d online with ease! We offer all popular 4D betting in Malaysia such as 9 Lotto, Sports Toto, Magnum, Damacai, GD Lotto, STC4D, Sabah88, Sarawak Cash Sweep betting online anywhere anytime. Buy 4d online Now!
I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much
more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did
you hire out a developer to create your theme? Great work!
Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone
3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Keep up the superb work!
Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of information on your
blog. Im really impressed by your blog.
Hey there, You have performed an incredible job. I will certainly
digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post.
Many thanks for supplying this information.
Great information. Lucky me I discovered your website by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve book-marked it for later!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site.
You have some really great posts and I believe I would
be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please shoot me an email if interested. Many thanks!
The things i have constantly told folks is that when you are evaluating a good on-line electronics retail store, there are a few components that you have to think about. First and foremost, you need to make sure to locate a reputable and also reliable shop that has enjoyed great evaluations and rankings from other buyers and business sector leaders. This will ensure you are handling a well-known store providing you with good service and help to its patrons. Thanks for sharing your opinions on this website.
Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you
amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog
website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this
your broadcast offered bright clear idea
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a material!
present here at this web site, thanks admin of this web site.
I’m usually to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand new information.
Wow, incredible weblog format! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you made running a blog look easy. The whole look of your website is great, let alone the content!
delta flight 162 8
Thank you for your help and this post. It’s been great.
The articles you write help me a lot and I like the topic
Thank you for your articles. I find them very helpful. Could you help me with something?
I am in fact delighted to read this website posts which contains plenty of
helpful facts, thanks for providing such information.
Thank you for writing this post. I like the subject too.
Hello my family member! I want to say that this article
is amazing, nice written and come with almost all significant infos.
I would like to see more posts like this .
Thank you for your articles. They are very helpful to me. May I ask you a question?
May I have information on the topic of your article?
Your articles are very helpful to me. May I request more information?
Your articles are very helpful to me. May I request more information?