Village Scores big with drink additive

Aremote village in the province is growing a super-ingredient contained in a new energy drink called Score Umhlonyane.

Score Energy Drinks recently launched the new variant in its stable, which includes the local ingredient Artemisia afra, commonly known as African wormwood or umhlonyane in Nguni.

It has a long history of healing properties, playing an important part in traditional medicine, and has been used to treat the symptoms of colds and flu, loss of appetite, colic, headaches and intestinal worms.

The ingredient is grown in the remote village of eDakeni in Mandeni, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where the community has incorporated sustainable practices to increase the production of indigenous seedlings and medicinal plants. The botanical has been a consistent source of income for the remote community, which is lacking in basic infrastructure such as municipal water, roads, schools and primary healthcare facilities.

Zuplex Botanicals, a South African manufacturer of active extracts using African botanicals, was instrumental in the partnership between the village and Score Energy Drinks. Zuplex is a community nursery project in the village and recently secured a deal with Score that allowed the brand to introduce a new variant using eDakeni’s crop of umhlonyane.

“The story of eDakeni is one that really resonates with many South Africans,” says James Shaw, marketing manager at Score Energy Drinks. “It is a place of hope and hardship, struggle and scenic beauty, and home-grown inventiveness. In partnership with Zuplex Botanicals, we have been able to bring to light the men and women who helped produce our newest flavour and variant.”

Shaw says the company aims to create opportunities for the community as a rural economy catalyst. “We wanted to develop a new variant that consists of a truly authentic local ingredient, while creating jobs and supporting a community.”

Zama Nzuza, a resident of eDakeni village, says the soil helps sustain the community. “Despite that we live in isolation, we love it here. This is our home and everything we know, we have been taught by those who came before us.

“The rich soil gives us life. We have found ways to ensure that we preserve indigenous seedlings and medicinal plants through our nursery project, where we propagate and plant back what we reap from our natural environment.”

According to Nzuza, the production of umhlonyane has given his community, which is mostly led by rural women, job opportunities to feed their families.

Shaw said umhlonyane is the story of a community working together to tackle economic challenges. “It speaks to ubuntu and we are so proud of our collaboration with this inspiring community.”