About the Mark

THE CAPE ALOE MOVEMENT – THE MARK OF INDIGENOUS ALOE, TRADITIONAL HARVESTING AND EQUITABLE BENEFITS

The Cape Aloe Movement Logo is trademark pending and enjoys legal protection in accordance with the Merchandise Marks Act, the Trade Marks Act, Counterfeit Goods Act and Common Law. Only entities which hold valid permits in terms of the South African NEMBA Act, subscribe to the values and ideals of the Nagoya Protocol, and have been endorsed as members of The Cape Aloe Movement, may use this logo.

INDIGENOUS ALOE

“Indigenous Aloe” is defined as naturally propagated Aloe ferox growing in, and harvested from, its indigenous environment where it is exposed to the natural climatic, soil and environmental conditions of the Cape region. Indigenous Aloe, as well as the soil and environment from where it is harvested, is free from herbicides, pesticides or any artificial additive or treatment. Because Aloe ferox has been perfectly adapted by nature to this specific region of the Cape, and because the natural ecosystem is preserved, these plants flourish with minimal human intervention and produce naturally balanced levels of organic compounds, which distinguishes it from alien, genetically selected aloe sources. This is of specific relevance for the skin-care and wellness industry where the natural balance of organic compounds are of paramount importance for optimal benefits.

The Cape Aloe Movement is fully integrated with the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in South Africa, which requires the tracking of all harvested Aloe ferox material. The South African, Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), through the Cape Aloe Movement, maintains a legal compliance program to record the source and application of indigenous aloe. This provides a high level of assurance to all users, of indigenous aloe, of the geographic harvest area – and therefore the bio-quality of the material.

TRADITIONAL HARVESTING

Traditional harvesting” is defined as the manual sustainable removal of leaves of the Aloe ferox plant by the indigenous Hessequa people for commercial trading. These techniques and practices handed down over many generations include the technique of cutting, and aligning or arranging the Aloe ferox leaves in order to obtain the maximum quantity of bitter sap collected from the leaf rind for their entrepreneurial commercial trading. The traditional harvesters, known a traditional tappers, operate as true rural entrepreneurs who follow trading practices established more than two centuries ago. They trade with local traders on free-market principles and prices are shaped by reigning supply and demand forces.

The practice of harvesting of Aloe ferox by the indigenous communities for commercial trading, pre-dates all modern socio-economic and conservation programs. Whilst the merits and successes of initiatives such as the Nagoya Protocol cannot be denied, many require legal frameworks to enforce equity and benefit sharing. In the case of “traditional harvesting”, these legal frameworks would serve to support The Cape Aloe Movement through participation and benefit sharing.

EQUITABLE BENEFITS

Firstly, products and brands carrying this logo contribute to, and actively participate in unlocking the value of traditionally harvested, indigenous aloe for all the participants in the value chain. Because of the unique traditional commercial practices in the Cape Aloe region, the traditional commercial tappers are inherently included in the value chain. They harvest and supply the raw material on a fully commercial basis, and benefit directly from existing business as well as any increase in demand.

Secondly, all traditional commercial harvesters (tappers) registered in the Traditional Tapper Register (TTR) have a proprietary interest in the The Cape Aloe Movement. This ensures that, not only do they benefit from direct trading, but they share in the brand equity and brand related income generated through royalties. Importantly, brand equity and income is dependent on the success of the full industry value chain, which encourages participation by all stakeholders.