The Rooibos Producers' Association was recently launched in Marcuskraal near Citrusdal in the Western Cape, marking the start of what could be seen as a new beginning for the industry.
Werner Nieuwoudt, who was elected as the association's first chairperson, told that there had been interest in establishing such an association for some time. However, the first attempt, more than a decade ago, had failed when rooibos producers heard that it would be funded by a statutory levy.