Mandeni farmers thrive growing umhlonyane medicinal shrub for energy drink maker
Resident and farmer Zama Nzuza said the production of umhlonyane had given his community, which was mostly led by rural women, employment opportunities to feed their families.
If you work hard enough, money can grow on trees, or in this case, shrubs.
A group of eDakeni residents (12 women and one man) in Mandeni are proving this to be true by farming the umhlonyane plant (African wormwood) to survive in difficult times.
The newly developed community nursery project, is powered by Zuplex Botanicals, a South African manufacturer of active botanical extracts and 32% owned by the community.
Zuplex secured a partnership with South African energy drink company, Score, which allowed the brand to introduce a new product using eDakeni’s umhlonyane crops.
Most people know umhlonyane as a medicinal plant used by traditional healers to treat things like menstrual cramps, gastro-intestinal disorders, respiratory problems and asthma.
But to most rural people, the plant became famous due to the belief that it is able to treat Covid-19 symptoms.
Resident and farmer Zama Nzuza said everything they know about the plant was taught to them by those who came before them.
“The rich soil gives us life. We preserve indigenous seedlings and medicinal plants through our nursery project, where we propagate and plant back what we reap from our natural environment,” said Nzuza.
“Our farming methods ensure we can secure income for future generations. Our community has chosen to break bread together to collectively overcome the obstacles we face,” Nzuza said.
Score marketing manager James Shaw said umhlonyane was a story of a community working together to overcome their economic challenges and obstacles.
“It speaks to Ubuntu and we are so proud of our collaboration with this inspiring community. The village is a place of hope and inventiveness,” said Shaw.
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