Sekhukhune indigenous tea titillate Russian taste buds

The exhibition stand of the Limpopo-based Setšong Indigenous Tea Crafters was reportedly the centre of attraction at the World Food Moscow, a four-day international food and drinks trade exhibition that ended in the Russian capital on Friday.
Information made available by the Department of Trade and Industry indicated that multitude of visitors descended on the crafters’ stand where they were awed by the taste of the tea and wowed by the colourful traditional attire of the founder of the company, Nondumiso Phaahla. It was learnt that Phaahla was one of the more than 30 South African businesspersons funded by the department to showcase their products at the popular exhibition.
Setšong produces hand-crafted tea products that are created from wild harvested, indigenous trees found in the natural landscapes of Sekhukhune. Phaahla was quoted in a statement to have said: “I have been amazed by the attention that our stand received. There are three things that have captured the imagination of the visitors from the first day. The first are the traditional garments that I have worn every day and that made me stand out from the rest of the exhibitors. This has resulted in hordes of visitors requesting to take photos of me or with me. Secondly, their taste buds were tantalised by our organic tea which is meticulously infused with a variety of blends, and lastly, they were astounded by the enchanting story of the origin of the tea which has been consumed for generations by the Bapedi in Sekhukhune which results in a great deal of heritage and history being associated with all of our teas.”
She added that she was overwhelmed by the attention that her products, which are produced in inconspicuous villages of Ga-Matlala Ramoshibo and Ga-Phaahla, received in Russia. It is her first international exhibition and she hopes the numerous leads that she generated will bear fruit so she can export her tea to various countries, particularly Russia.
“Several Russian companies showed keen interest in doing business with us. A representative of one of the Russian companies that distributes tea throughout the world showed me a list of countries from where he sources tea. South Africa did not appear on the list and he promised to source our tea and distribute it to other countries. This has inspired us greatly as it will provide us with an opportunity to grow our business, increase production and create more jobs back home,” Phaahla explained.
She outlined that the company had been established through a merger of three women-owned cooperatives that currently employs 27 persons, the majority of whom are women.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za