Township Trades scoops PhytoTrade Africa Award

The winner of the 2009 PhytoTrade Africa Natural Product Award is Township Trades whose dynamic Cape Town based team that have carefully blended Africa’s rich botanical heritage into the Nurture range of natural soaps.

The award, now in its fourth year, is offered to a person, product or business in Southern Africa that has demonstrated commitment to developing ethical and environmentally sustainable products with natural ingredients.

Township Trades wins a cash prize of R20,000 and an all-expenses-paid booth at the 2010 Natural & Organic Products Exhibition.

A social enterprise based in Khayelitsha township in Cape Town, Township Trades aim is to help young adults affected by HIV, and provide young people with the business skills to become independent through trade.

Awards judge Dr Nigel Gerike said  “it’s an admirable example of use of sustainably harvested African natural products that empower disadvantaged township people through training and production. Township Trades should be rewarded with this prize for winning supply contracts for retailers in the South Africa and overseas.”

More...