Before Rooibos Became a Trend, It Was Our Heritage

September is a month for celebrating what makes South Africa, well, South Africa.

Our country is wonderfully diverse. We have different cultures, languages, traditions and ways of celebrating. Heritage might mean a family recipe passed down through generations, the language you speak at home, the music you grew up with or simply getting everyone together around a table or a braai.

There is no single version of being South African and that is exactly what makes Heritage Month worth celebrating.

It is also a good time to appreciate the things that started here and have gone on to make their mark far beyond our borders.

Rooibos is one of them.

For many of us, it is simply the tea in the cupboard. The one someone makes when you are feeling under the weather, or the one your mother probably insisted could help with just about anything.

Today, of course, Rooibos has travelled far beyond our borders. You will find it enjoyed around the world and appearing in herbal infusions, skin care, beauty and wellness products.

For Annique Rooibos, that is something we rather enjoy seeing.

We have just been doing it for a while.

It Started with an Idea and a Very South African Plant

The Annique Rooibos story began with Dr Annique Theron and her interest in the potential of Rooibos.

That curiosity eventually led to the establishment of the company in 1971. By 1973, the first Annique skin care products had been introduced, including the Revitalising Cream, which is still one of the products people know and love today.

Annique Rooibos did not begin as a beauty brand looking for an interesting ingredient to add to the label. The company was built around the belief that there was more to explore.

And all these years later, that is still a big part of who we are.

A Little Bit of South African Trivia

South Africa has 12 official languages, including South African Sign Language.

Think about that for a moment. Twelve languages, countless traditions and cultures, all part of one country.

We are a colourful bunch.

We may disagree about who makes the best braai, whether there is a right way to make a potjie or what belongs in a proper family recipe, but Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to share those differences and learn more about one another.

And somewhere in all that diversity is Rooibos.

It has found its way into homes and routines across cultures and generations.

Not bad for something many of us still keep next to the coffee and sugar.

From Then to Now

The world has changed quite a bit since Annique Rooibos began.

The way we shop, work and take care of ourselves looks very different today. Skin care has changed, technology has evolved and so have the expectations of customers.

If you had told someone in 1971 that one day they would be able to order products from a little device in their handbag while sitting on the couch in their pyjamas, they may have had a few questions.

Our products have changed too. New ranges have been developed, formulations have evolved and the business has continued to adapt.

That ability to grow and adapt is important, but so is knowing where you came from.

Why We Are So Proud of Our Story

Today, Rooibos is getting plenty of attention and rightly so. It is enjoyed around the world, researchers continue to study it and people are finding new ways to include it in their daily lives.

We think that is brilliant.

For us, there is also a history behind it.

Over the years, customers have introduced Annique Rooibos to their children and friends. Consultants have built businesses, communities and friendships around the brand. And behind the scenes, generations of people have played a part in shaping it into what it is today.

That is something worth celebrating.

Because a brand is never just about the products. It is about the people who use them, share them and become part of the story along the way.

A New Season

September brings Spring, which always feels like a bit of a reset.

The weather starts improving. The gardens wake up. People suddenly become very enthusiastic about cleaning cupboards and getting organised.

This September, as we celebrate Spring and Heritage Month, we are taking a moment to appreciate where we come from and the things that have shaped Annique Rooibos along the way.

We are proud of our South African roots, our history and of course, the little plant that started it all.

Before Rooibos became a trend, it was our heritage.

Happy Spring and Happy Heritage Month from all of us at Annique Rooibos.