ABOUT THE COMPANY

Set in the backdrop of Steenberg Mountains in Cape Town, Cape Herb and Spice specializes in a culinary range of condiments that are headed for households all over the world.

Cape Herb and Spice is a non-discriminatory employer that provides comprehensive vocational and life skills training to its staff on topics such as management and HIV/AIDS. This work ethic has solidified their relationship with Turqle Trading, who works with them for the production of various Fairtrade products, which Turqle then exports.

The Company also supports their employees by paying for their children's school fees, and assisting with bursaries for those who want to study further. "I believe that they also pay for some people's creche fees," says Charmaine Simpson.

The school fees, bursaries, HIV/AIDS courses, management courses are paid for by the company's Fair Trade Trust of which Turqle Trading and their Dutch importer Fair Trade Original are the main contributors.

FROM AN EMPLOYEE

Charmain Simpson is a stalwart at the Cape Herb and Spice Company in Tokai. She has worked at Cape Herb and Spice for over 10 years and she knows everything that needs to be known to make sure that the production lines run smoothly.
Over the past decade, Charmain (55) has progressed from general worker to production manager, overseeing the labelling, feeding, patching and sealing of the herb and spice bottles and grinders. Her job does not end there, she says, deadlines need to be met on a daily basis, and the continuous flow of containers that are headed to local and international destinations, need to be constantly monitored. Hard work and a commitment to the company have secured her a position in management. "I really had to prove myself," she comments. Charmaine says that her growth as a production manager has been supported by courses on management, assessment, and HIV/AIDS. "The HIV/AIDS training has helped me in my position as a supervisor, especially if somebody has AIDS. You have got to know that it is confidential."

Charmaine lives in Diep River, Cape Town, but she explained that her journey there has not been an easy one. Her family was forced our of the area in 1972 because of the Group Areas Act. They were then moved into Lavender Hill (approximately 15km away) where they lived for 20 years before they could move back to Diep River in 1993.