Biocultural Rights Journey with Rooibos 223
hypertension and cardiovascular health, hypotension, stomach-related ailments,
blood circulation, kidney ailments, stress relief, health skin and boost polyphenol/micro-nutrient levels (ibid.). When paired with other herbs, it may also be
used to treat diabetes and improve oral health. As it has been incorporated as an
ingredient in skincare products, Rooibos is used to treat eczema and minor skin
injuries. Beyond its health benefits, it also has agricultural uses such as to be used
in soil mixtures to assist with mulching and soil fertilisation (ibid.).
In their culture of sharing, the communities shared their knowledge of R ooibos.
This began with the story of Tryntjie Swarts, a Khoikhoi woman living in the
Cederberg who, in the 1920s, shared her “ecological-cultural knowledge of the
Khoikhoi about how to locate the ‘golden nests’ of Rooibos seeds” (ibid., p. 60).
This knowledge was a critical catalyst of the expansion of the present Rooibos
industry as Rooibos tea, in itself, became popular the world over as well as its
processing into health and cosmetic products. As will be explored, despite the
foundational role of the Khoikhoi’s TK upon which the development and commercialisation of the industry were built, the communities were never recognised
as the knowledge holders nor received intellectual property rights and never gave
free, prior or informed consent (FPIC) to the use of their knowledge (ibid.).
Historical Context
BOX 9.1 TIMELINE OF SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY WITH
SPECIFIC POINT RAISED IN RELATION TO THE
EXPERIENCES OF THE KHOIKHOI
Historical Timeline
Below is a brief timeline of South African history with specific points raised in
relation to the experiences of the Khoikhoi:
Pre-Colonial Era:
Pre-1400s: The Khoikhoi and San roamed Southern Africa as hunter-gatherers
and nomadic pastoralists, respectively. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) c onfirms
that the Khoi and San are first nations in South Africa.
1488: First contact with colonial forces as Vasco de Gama rounded the
Cape as the Portuguese searched for the “New World”.
Colonial Era:
1652–1800: Dutch colonial occupation of South Africa.
1800–1910: British colonial occupation of South Africa.
hypertension and cardiovascular health, hypotension, stomach-related ailments,
blood circulation, kidney ailments, stress relief, health skin and boost polyphenol/micro-nutrient levels (ibid.). When paired with other herbs, it may also be
used to treat diabetes and improve oral health. As it has been incorporated as an
ingredient in skincare products, Rooibos is used to treat eczema and minor skin
injuries. Beyond its health benefits, it also has agricultural uses such as to be used
in soil mixtures to assist with mulching and soil fertilisation (ibid.).
In their culture of sharing, the communities shared their knowledge of R ooibos.
This began with the story of Tryntjie Swarts, a Khoikhoi woman living in the
Cederberg who, in the 1920s, shared her “ecological-cultural knowledge of the
Khoikhoi about how to locate the ‘golden nests’ of Rooibos seeds” (ibid., p. 60).
This knowledge was a critical catalyst of the expansion of the present Rooibos
industry as Rooibos tea, in itself, became popular the world over as well as its
processing into health and cosmetic products. As will be explored, despite the
foundational role of the Khoikhoi’s TK upon which the development and commercialisation of the industry were built, the communities were never recognised
as the knowledge holders nor received intellectual property rights and never gave
free, prior or informed consent (FPIC) to the use of their knowledge (ibid.).
Historical Context
BOX 9.1 TIMELINE OF SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY WITH
SPECIFIC POINT RAISED IN RELATION TO THE
EXPERIENCES OF THE KHOIKHOI
Historical Timeline
Below is a brief timeline of South African history with specific points raised in
relation to the experiences of the Khoikhoi:
Pre-Colonial Era:
Pre-1400s: The Khoikhoi and San roamed Southern Africa as hunter-gatherers
and nomadic pastoralists, respectively. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) c onfirms
that the Khoi and San are first nations in South Africa.
1488: First contact with colonial forces as Vasco de Gama rounded the
Cape as the Portuguese searched for the “New World”.
Colonial Era:
1652–1800: Dutch colonial occupation of South Africa.
1800–1910: British colonial occupation of South Africa.