Time for tea

Based in KwaZulu-Natal, Ntingwe Tea Estate started with just 25 hectares of tea. Thirteen years and 425 hectares later, the estate counts Woolworths and the most prestigious tea merchants in Europe among its clientele. Supporting empowered enterprise development is a key focus area for the retailer and Ntingwe tea has been a feature on the chain's shelves as a single-origin tea for five years.

The Ithala Development Finance Corporation created the estate in 1988 and, later, the KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture and Environmental Affairs department jointly funded the enterprise. They set out to help the impoverished rural community by forming a business that would create employment and facilitate socioeconomic development in the region. At the time, 60% of the region's residents were unemployed.

Why tea? Why not?

The region's climate was considered suitable for tea growing. The crop had also been identified as labour-intensive thus providing employment and infrastructural development for the area. Veteran industry expert Ryle Perera, General Manager of Ntingwe Tea, was contracted to develop the commercial side of the business.

From the beginning, the estate decided to focus on the premium single-origin tea market. While Ntingwe tea is produced on a single estate and is unblended, the commercial tea market is dominated by tea blends containing ingredients that are produced all over the world.

The enterprise now employs 900 people from surrounding villages and kraals. It has helped bring electricity, running water, telephones, clinics and schools to the area. The estate has also trained farm labourers, electricians, managers, administrators and nurserymen.

Furthermore, the estate works with local growers, who grow tea on their land. The estate purchases leaves produced from these plots for processing at the factory.

Perera says the local market should pay more attention to locally produced single-origin tea. “The premium tea market is very discerning. The range and breadth of our clientele proves that this country grows and produces world class tea.”

Ntingwe tea is produced from plants that are harvested during the summer months. Quality is paramount. Trained tea tasters routinely check every batch to ensure the estate is producing the best product day by day. In keeping with Woolworths Good business journey, Ntingwe supplies the retailer with tea packaged in a container made from recycled material.

Commenting on the initiative, Julian Novak, Head of Foods says, “Ntingwe tea's success is truly inspirational. We are privileged to have been part of it. We continue to identify and work with emerging suppliers and give them access to the formal marketplace.”