Retang Phaahla

Women in Tourism

Nominee's Province:
Limpopo

Project Name/Description:
Setsong Tea Crafters

More info:

Retang Phaahla is the CEO and cofounder of Setsong Tea Crafters which is a tea manufacturing and agrotourism social enterprise. Setsong, which started trading in 2017, focuses on the development of natural indigenous flora found in the natural landscapes of South Africa, more prominently within the rural areas of Limpopo. The enterprise stimulates the economy in collaboration with rural cooperatives from the province, which were developed by a partner community development organisation called Siyaphila Youth Support Services. Born in GaPhaahla Village in Sekhukhune, Limpopo. Phaahla, 29, holds a BSc degree in quantity surveying and worked as a quantity surveyor for years while participating in various community initiatives. Phaahla says South Africa is the third most bio-diverse country in the world, with much of this knowledge found in within rural communities. “I am fascinated by the potential of indigenous knowledge systems to develop the rural economy and create opportunities for youth and women,” she says. Phaahla says Setsong Tea Crafters is 100% youth- and women-led. “We have capacitated rural youth and women to managerial positions within the organisation,” she says. Phaahla’s roles with Setsong include market development, product development, strategic and organisational planning, and developing and community partnerships. Setsong has been named the Most Progressive SMME by Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce, the Bio-Entrepreneur of the year by AfricBio, the Top Female Run Enterprise at the SA Innovation Summit.