SHE turned a humble village tea into a tool for healing, heritage, and hope.
Retang Phaahla (32), a tea entrepreneur from Ga-Phaahla village in Limpopo, is using indigenous knowledge to change lives.
Her company, Setšong Tea Crafters, makes traditional African teas using herbs like Tepane and Diya, once overlooked, now celebrated for their natural health benefits.
The business started in 2013 as a mother-daughter journey when her mother, Nondumiso Phaahla (62), retired from nursing and returned to the village.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Retang said her mother's curiosity sparked something deeper.
"She started researching the tea and other local plants. At the time, I was still working in Joburg, but she asked me to help formalise the business side," she said.
The two began blending teas at home, learning from village elders and herbalists. Their aim was not only to build a product, but to reclaim cultural wisdom that had long been undervalued.
"Growing up, we were told these plants were just for people who couldn't afford 'real' tea. But our grandparents knew exactly what they were doing," she said.
As demand grew, the family business expanded not only in production, but in purpose.
"We made a decision early on: the community must benefit," said Retang.
Instead of sourcing herbs from middlemen, they trained rural women to form cooperatives that now own 49% of the company.
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"They are shareholders. They sit at the table. It's their knowledge, they deserve to benefit from it," she said.
She said this model has brought dignity, jobs and pride back to their community.
"When a woman picks a root she learned about from her grandmother and sees it on a product label, that's empowerment," she said.
Her work was recently honoured at the 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award ceremony, held on 16 July in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.
"When they called my name, I couldn't believe it. But I looked at my mom, and I thought, this is for her, and for every woman who passed down this knowledge," she said.
She said the journey is about more than just selling tea.
"We're creating legacy. We're showing that our traditions are not only valid, they're valuable," she said.
Setšong Tea's flavours include Bapedi Bush Tea, Wild African Mint Tea, African Ginger Tea, and Lemongrass Tea, all made from hand-harvested indigenous plants. Each blend offers natural health benefits, ranging from improving digestion and blood circulation to boosting immunity and calming the nervous system.
These teas are stocked through selected retail and health outlets such as SPAR across Mzansi in provinces like Gauteng, Limpopo and Free State and also available via online platforms.
