Botanica Natural Products

Producing organically certified products for international cosmetic markets.
2014 SEED South Africa Award; Government of Flanders
Biodiversity
Alldays, Limpopo
South Africa

On ten hectares of land in rural Limpopo, Botanica Natural Products cultivates Bulbine frutescens, an aloe-like succulent plant. With an extraction technique developed by the enterprise, the gel of the plant, valuable for skin and hair care products, is derived in a local production facility meeting European pharmaceutical standards.

The EcoCert certified organic products are sold to markets primarily in West Africa. The local community benefits from the use of the plant through an Access and Benefit Sharing Agreement. The enterprise’s organic production methods help to preserve biodiversity. 

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Botanica Natural Products offers a source of income in a remote rural location for 25 people. Three per cent of its profits goes to a local community foundation promoting child health, AIDS awareness and social development.
  • Diverting three per cent of the profits to a foundation for the local community, thereby promoting child health, AIDS awareness and social development.
  • Organising employee workshops on first aid, HIV prevention, business development and marketing.
  • Offering social entrepreneurship training at local EcoSchools.
  • Planting 200,000 Spekboom trees to offset carbon emissions of the enterprise and reduce soil erosion.
  • Reducing energy, including electricity, requirements by five per cent annually.
  • Increasing awareness of organic agriculture and energy efficiency amongst employees and school learners.
  • Offering a source of income in a rural location for 25 people, 75% of whom are women.
  • Accessing new and previously inaccessible markets in Southern and Western Africa.
  • Achieving profitability within the next year when considering day-to-day operational expenses.

Partners

Botanica Natural Products has developed a method of extracting beneficial substances from Bulbine frutescens, a traditional medicinal plant, for the cosmetic industry. The plant is cultivated and processed organically in its indigenous location in rural Limpopo, and its commercial use provides employment opportunities in the marginalised area. The local community further benefits through an Access and Benefit Sharing agreement.

Feel Good Botanica Investments is one of the two joint venture partners of Botanica Natural Products. The company contributes its processing and marketing expertise to the joint venture.

Mogalakwena Trading Post is a social entrepreneurship company based in Limpopo who provides agricultural and production expertise and access to fertile land.