As a company sprouted from three Moms focused on pure nutrition, we also strive to help other Moms. Even those living on another continent. Through fair and ethical trade, Bonga-Baobab enables local harvesters to support themselves. And together, we all protect the mighty Baobab tree.

Bonga = gratitude

Bonga means gratitude in Zulu, one of the dialects spoken by the women in sub-Saharan Africa who harvest the fruit.

With Bonga, we honor the Tree of Life and our friends in Africa harvesting this amazing superfood. Thank you, Jambo, Bonga!

Giving back

To help show our gratitude, 10% of all profits go to the foundation we have set up to help support the harvesters and their families and to help protect these ancient trees.

Visit our Bonga Foundation website.

Joy of the Jungle (Gym)

While in Africa, we also learned that the giddy joy a 6-year-old feels going down a slide for the first time is wonderfully contagious! As part of our giveback program to our valued local harvesters, we built a jungle gym for their kids. Now while Mom’s at work, the kiddos swing through the day with a few more giggles.

The real dirt

This past June, we headed to Africa to see for ourselves how our harvesters are treated and it was indeed cause for celebration, on both sides. Located not far from Oprah Winfrey’s school, the women and children of this area are now seeing the fruit of their labor. Literally. Read more about our trip

Annah's story

Faced with raising her five children, Annah Mendela's life took a notably positive turn when she began collecting from local baobab trees and selling it to EcoProducts.

Annah has set an example for other women to start their own businesses by collecting baobab!

Guardians of the Trees

In partnership with ECO Products Foundation, the Guardians of the Baobab project helps ensure the survival of baobabs incorporating human needs and environmental variables.

The program works with the baobab fruit collectors themselves to grow and take care of young trees.

Rural African women from across the collection area are given training in how to grow and nurture young baobab trees. The seedlings are grown in home gardens until the trees are strong enough to survive being planted out. Trees are planted in nearby schools, community centers and in the wild.

The location of each planted tree is then recorded on a GPS so that the trees can be monitored. To make sure they survive their most vulnerable period, each tree is assigned to a guardian who looks after it during the first three years after planting.

The condition, height and diameter of each tree is recorded annually by the guardians under the direction of Dr. Sarah Venter (Baobab Ecologist).

The cost of growing, planting and taking care (guarding) each tree for three years is USD100 per tree. 

To make a contribution contact Sarah Venter: info@ecoproducts.co.za