Heiveld Small Farmer Co-operative

The Heiveld Co-op was established to promote the sustainability of the livelihoods of its members. More than 30 men and women from the community are members of the Co-op. They produce their tea proudly by hand, and make minimal use of machinery. Hand harvesting ensures a finer quality of tea, and is also kinder to the tea bushes than mechanical harvesting.

Income from tea sales is distributed equitably, in a way that benefits the smallest scale producer, and also contributes to the economic independence of women.

Natural Environment

The rugged sandstone mountains of the Cedarberg region of South Africa are home to the Rooibos, or red bush (Aspalatus linearis). Part of the Cape floral kingdom, Rooibos grows here and nowhere else in the world. The name of the Co-op comes from the local name for the area where the tea is grown. Heiveld means heather field.

The necessary combination of soils and climate is unique. The most flavourful tea is produced on the remote plateaux of the Suid Bokkeveld Mountains. The deep sandy soils, cool moist winters and hot dry summers suit Rooibos perfectly.

Here the small scale farmers of the Heiveld Co-operative cultivate and harvest their Rooibos bushes. They process it to produce the finest Rooibos tea.

Harvesting of Rooibos tea is done on a sustainable basis. Once a year the wild shrubs are topped, and then allowed to re-grow and to flower before they are again harvested. This method of harvesting is so sustainable that some plants have been harvested over a period of more than fifty years.. 

How it used to be done...

Fifty years ago the people of the Bokkeveld harvested tea with sickles, and transported it by donkey cart to natural stone pavements, where they bruised it, allowed it to sweat to attain its rich, red colour, and dried it in the sun.

These days’ machines make it easier to process and transport the tea, but it is still harvested in the same, careful way. Rooibos harvesting is physically demanding, and takes place in the hottest months of the year. This is no job for the lazy!

Our Rooibos is picked, processed, packed in South Africa, and even our new packaging is printed there!

Fairtrade Benefits

In January 2006, the rapidly growing Fairtrade market allowed these small farmers to secure substantially higher prices that allow for re-investment as wellas employment. At last they are completely free from renting a tea court or taking insecure seasonal labour on distant farms.

To find our more about Heiveld click here.