San, Khoi & Rooibos Factsheet

This factsheet by Natural Justice outlines the traditional knowledge of the San and Khoi people regarding the rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis) and the legal framework for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in South Africa to ensure these indigenous communities benefit from the commercialization of the species.

• The San and Khoi people are the original holders of traditional knowledge regarding the use of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), using it for generations as a remedy for various ailments, including skin healing and allergic symptoms. This was confirmed by a 2014 study commissioned by the South African government.
• Rooibos remained unknown globally until 1772, when the San and Khoi introduced it to a Swedish botanist. Commercial trading began in 1904 through a Russian immigrant to South Africa, leading to the plant's popularity in health and cosmetic products.
• South Africa regulates the commercial exploitation of biodiversity through the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) of 2004 and the Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit Sharing (BABS) Regulation of 2008. These are aligned with the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the 2010 Nagoya Protocol to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
• A 2014 Department of Environmental Affairs study concluded that traditional knowledge of rooibos and honeybush rests with the San and Khoi. Consequently, the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs recommended that the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) engage with the sector on these findings and encourage bioprospecting or biotrade projects to negotiate benefit-sharing agreements with these communities.
• The National Khoi & San Council and the South African San Council are currently negotiating with the South African Rooibos Industry to ensure compliance with benefit-sharing obligations under national law.

APA

Natural Justice (n.d.). San, Khoi & Rooibos Factsheet. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/San-Khoi-Rooibos-Factsheet.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. San, Khoi & Rooibos Factsheet. n.d. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/San-Khoi-Rooibos-Factsheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=San, Khoi & Rooibos Factsheet |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/San-Khoi-Rooibos-Factsheet.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljusticendsan, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{San, Khoi \& Rooibos Factsheet}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/San-Khoi-Rooibos-Factsheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }