LESOTHO – One Thousand & One Voices® (1K1V), a South African capital fund, has announced its growth capital investment in The Rosehip Company, an export-focused healthy food company based in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The investment by the private family capital fund, which is backed exclusively by industry-leading families from around the globe, is set to enable Rosehip expand its production capacity and broaden its international footprint.
“We see great business expansion potential and opportunities to enhance our strategy and operations arising from 1K1V’s investment of Three-Dimensional Capital® in our company,” said Herman Nieuwoudt, Chief Executive of The Rosehip Company.
The investment represents 1K1V’s sixth investment within the healthy foods industry, expanding its portfolio in the sector.
The chief executive for 1K1V, Hendrik Jordaan said; “We are proud to invest in a company that supports rural communities across Lesotho, a region that stands to benefit from job creation.
“The Rosehip Company plays a critical role in stimulating the struggling Lesotho economy, by directly employing up to 120 people, indirectly employing approximately 4,500 individuals and financially supporting in excess of 30,000 people annually.”
According to an IOL Business report, 1K1V, which has its headquarters in Cape Town, has invested in five South African businesses including Pay@, a leading payments service provider.
“It is a key part of our investment methodology to transform small businesses that operate in countries with limited local growth opportunities by providing access to larger economies where their respective product offerings are in demand,” 1K1V said.
Founded in 2006, The Rosehip Company, sources and processes Rosa Canina (Rosehip) into Rosehip tea and Rosehip oil from the Rosehip shell and seed.
The raw material, Rosehip, is a rare fruit growing wild only in Lesotho, Romania and Chile, thereby creating a competitive ‘moat’.
Rosehip tea is normally sold to the export market in Europe, while Rosehip oil is exported to Asia and Oceania for skincare products, the largest category in the global cosmetics industry.
Herbal tea is a growing global segment in the second most consumed beverage worldwide, and Rosehip seeks to capitalise on the market using its multiple herbal tea blends.
