After a long struggle to protect the rights of indigenous communities, a landmark decision has been taken by the Rooibos Industry to enter into negotiations with the Khoi and San as the associated traditional knowledge rights holders to the uses of Rooibos. An Access and Benefit Sharing Agreement is currently being concluded between the two parties based on mutually agreed terms in compliance with Nagoya Protocol.
This documentary unpacks some of the key issues that arise due the commercialisation of genetic resources and explores the impact of this on indigenous communities and their associated traditional knowledge of such resources.