The PhytoTrade Africa 2007 Natural Products Awards

PhytoTrade Africa’s Natural Products Awards are intended to recognise particular achievement in the field of Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable natural products in Southern Africa. Natural products are products derived from plants indigenous to Southern Africa.

The awards are based on self or third-party nominations and are assessed by the judging panel against a set of specific criteria. The awards are open to individuals and/or corporate entities in Southern Africa.

Entering your company or product in the awards is a great way to promote your business. All shortlisted nominations will gain editorial coverage on our websites and in Natural and Organic Products magazines, and the winners will also be entitled to cash prizes.  

The 2007 awards were judged by a panel of international natural products, Fair Trade and environmental experts and handed out at a ceremony at the Natural and Organics Expo in Cape Town on Friday 12^th October 2007.

There were four awards on offer, with cash prizes totalling R37,500. The awards are:

1. For the most innovative new natural product launched in 2006.  Prize: SAR15,000 in cash.
2. For outstanding achievement in the field of Fair Trade natural products. Prize: SAR7,500 in cash.
3. For outstanding achievement in the field of environmentally sustainable natural products. Prize: SAR7,500 in cash.
4. For the best natural product on display at the Natural and Organic Products Exhibition 2007. Prize: R7,500 in cash.

Judges

• Mr Mike Brook is the founder and MD of Organic Partners and MD of the Organic Herb Trading Company in the UK - the world’s biggest supplier of organic products, and Chair of the UK Soil Association’s Health Products Standards Committee.
• Mr Grant Momple is a microbiologist and food technologist by training. He has worked in the flavour and fragrance industry for 18 years but also has experience in the dairy, herbs and spices and flavours and beverages sectors. He is currently Director of product research and development, flavours and emulsions at specialist extracts company, Afriplex.
• Mr Trevor Steyn, Esse Organic Skincare is a chemist by training, specialised in the chemistry of indigenous medicinal plants. He currently formulates certified organic and natural personal care products ranging from high-end skincare to mass market products. Trevor owns Esse Organic Skincare, Ubuntu Health Products and is also involved in a company that markets renewable energy solutions.
• Dr Nigel Gericke is a medical doctor and botanist who consults in the fields of natural products innovation, and natural products scientific and medical affairs. He is the co-author of the books Medicinal Plants of South Africa, and People’s Plants : Useful Plants of Southern Africa. He is Head of Ethnobotany, Esperanza Medicines Foundation in Switzerland, Managing Director of H,G & H Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd. and a Director of Niche Botanicals (Pty) Ltd.
• Prof John Hanks is a zoologist by training and an expert on the African elephant, John has 40 years experience in a variety of conservation projects across Africa. He has worked for the Natal Parks Board; was Professor and Director of the Institute of Natural Resources at the University of Natal; and was the Director of the Africa Program for WWF International and Chief Executive of WWF-South Africa and was the Executive Director of the Peace Parks Foundation.
• Ms Jennifer Seif is Executive Director of Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA). She is a board member of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa and a founding Trustee of Fairtrade South Africa (FTSA).