In Calvinia, South Africa, a crowd gathers outside a warehouse in the early morning to sell mesquite seedpods to Brandt Coetzee, the inventor of Manna Brew. The coffee substitute not only offers health benefits but also helps eradicate an alien tree species infesting the area. Collecting the pods provides income to about 700 people in a town with high unemployment rates and contributes to water conservation efforts.
The seedpods, brought in by various means of transportation, are sorted and weighed before being purchased. Local residents, like Hans Gouws and Jan Jochims, rely on the income from collecting pods to support themselves and their families. The pods are carefully recorded, processed, and packaged by a team of locals employed by Coetzee, providing them with much-needed employment opportunities and boosting the local economy.
The honey mesquite shrub, introduced to the region in the late 1800s, has become a major invasive species in the Northern Cape. Coetzee saw an opportunity in utilizing the mesquite seedpods to create valuable products after realizing the environmental threat they posed. After extensive research and collaboration with experts, he developed Manna Brew, a coffee substitute made from mesquite seedpods that has gained popularity locally and internationally.
The Manna Brew factory near Cape Town processes the seedpods into a coffee-like powder without any additives. The product, naturally caffeine-free, has a nutty and earthy flavor profile and is gaining traction in various markets. Coetzee’s goal is to continue growing the business and increasing demand for mesquite products to help control the spread of mesquite trees and provide more economic opportunities for the region.
Despite the success of Manna Brew, Coetzee is aware of the limitations of the project in addressing the broader economic challenges faced by the Northern Cape. The short-term economic impact of the seedpod harvest may be significant, but sustainable long-term solutions are needed to address the poverty and underdevelopment in the region. Coetzee envisions expanding the project in the future to have a greater impact on the local communities and the environment.
Through innovative thinking and a commitment to sustainability, Coetzee has created a business that not only provides a unique and healthy product but also contributes to environmental conservation and community development. The success of Manna Brew demonstrates the potential for businesses to drive positive change in disadvantaged regions, offering hope for a better future for the people of Calvinia and the Northern Cape.
