Human Impact | Economic development in Southern Africa | AfricanOrigins

Human Impact

Driving economic development in South Africa by creating a brand new market that is reaching marginalised communities who are feeling the real effects of climate change.

The worst drought in 80 years

Driving sustainable economic development in Southern Africa can be challenging, especially against the backdrop of climate change.

Climate change adaptation

Ten years ago our community was devastated by the worst drought in 80 years. After a third year of failed maize and sunflower harvests, bankruptcies were mounting. With it came higher unemployment and more social unrest. We saw an opportunity to repair some of the damage following a chance conversation about the Kalahari Melon, the only plant that was still growing despite the drought. We found that it contained a unique oil with fantastic benefits for cosmetic and personal care formulations. So we set about designing a production process that’s totally in sync with our local ecology.

Sustainable economic development

Today we are working to create a brand-new international market for Kalahari Melon oil. Through our work we hope to drive significant economic development in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. In order to achieve our goal, we are focused on three particular United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

A beauty oil unlike any other

The beauty oil revolution had started. After taking a closer look at the Kalahari Melon, the only plant still growing despite the drought, we discovered that the seeds contained a unique oil with valuable benefits for cosmetic and personal care formulations.

Therefore, by promoting this special ingredient to the international cosmetics and personal care industries, we are able to create an entirely new market and drive economic development in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. All this from a plant that was, until recently, considered a worthless weed.

Discover Kalahari Melon Oil

Tool for economic redevelopment

Crucially, we now have a tool for economic redevelopment; for our farm and our community. The growth and success of Kalahari Melon oil in the international marketplace will bring acute benefits to our community. Importantly, it will drive truly sustainable economic development  in this remote part of South Africa, in w way that’s completely in sync with our local ecology. That is our way of adapting to the real effects we’re feeling from climate change.