From Invader to Innovator: the
mesquite story
Text and photos by Brandt Coetzee
In the sunbaked semi-arid
regions of South Africa, a resilient green menace has been silently spreading
for decades. The culprit? Prosopis, commonly known as mesquite—a
tenacious invasive alien species introduced from Central and South America in
the late 1880s with good intentions of providing shade, fuel, and fodder in
arid areas. However, mesquite has since become one of South Africa’s most
ecologically destructive invasive species.
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| A flowering specimen of mesquite |
The ecological footprint of mesquite in South Africa
Prosopis species, particularly P. glandulosa
and P. juliflora, have now spread across more than eight million
hectares in South Africa. These trees are particularly prevalent in the
Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape provinces. Their unchecked
proliferation displaces native flora, degrades rangelands, disrupts ecosystems,
and undermines biodiversity. (Editor’s note: the species of Prosopis
found in South Africa have been revised to fall under the genus Neltuma.)
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| An isolated mesquite tree in the veld |
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| Extensive veld invasion by mesquite trees |
Even more concerning is the
plant’s insatiable thirst. The connection between invasive alien plants and
water scarcity is often underappreciated. According to the Department of Water
and Sanitation, South Africa loses an estimated 3.3 billion cubic metres of
water every year due to invasive plants—roughly 7% of the total annual river
flow. In a nation already struggling with chronic water scarcity, Prosopis
poses a significant threat to water security. Research from the South African
Agricultural Research Council (ARC) shows that a single mature mesquite tree
can consume up to 21 liters of groundwater per day. Multiply that by millions
of trees, and the numbers become staggering—literally billions of liters lost
annually.
Worse still, Prosopis
trees are reproductive powerhouses. Each one can produce thousands of seedpods
annually, with each pod containing multiple seeds that can remain dormant in
the soil for years before sprouting under favorable conditions. Although
animals eat mesquite pods, they are unable to digest the seeds and this leads
to rampant regrowth. Left unmanaged, mesquite can convert grasslands and
savannahs into dense, impenetrable thickets.
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| Seed pods on a mesquite tree |
In 1996, as part of the South African government’s Reconstruction and Development Programme, 150 residents of Prieska
were employed to chop down the mesquite trees in the area. Local entrepreneur, Brandt Coetzee, saw an opportunity in the dead trees. The hard
wood of the mesquite lends itself to manufacturing and he set up a woodworking
factory, exporting furniture, but this venture closed in 2004 when exports were
no longer profitable. Aware of the threats to the environment posed by mesquite
and observing that cutting and poisoning was not effective, he realised that
collecting the seed would make a difference. Because of the high nutritional
quality of the pods, Coetzee worked with the CSIR to develop a superior animal
feed. He then turned his thoughts to the potential value for humans, encouraged
by a study of the Pima Indians from Mexico, who have eaten mesquite for
generations. It was found that Pina Indian migrant workers developed Type 2
diabetes during their tenure in the US but when they returned home and resumed
eating mesquite, their diabetes symptoms disappeared. Coetzee sent mesquite
pods to the University of the Free State for analysis and the result was the
development in 2005 of a natural product to support healthy blood sugar levels.
The product has done very well locally but difficulties encountered in
exporting it opened other opportunities that were more in line with Coetzee’s
goals of job creation and water conservation.
A regenerative solution
From the vision of
transforming environmental degradation into opportunity, an innovative approach
was developed: harvest the seedpods of the mesquite tree and use them to create
a naturally sweet, caffeine-free roasted beverage. Strategically harvesting Prosopis
pods before they can germinate plays a vital role in limiting the tree’s
spread.
This intervention not only
disrupts the plant’s life cycle but also relieves pressure on the land and
water resources. In fact, studies suggest that for every ton of pods removed
from the landscape, as many as 33 million litres of groundwater can be saved
per year. The implications for water-stressed regions are profound. Communities
that have watched boreholes run dry and grazing lands diminish, are now
witnessing the first steps toward ecological recovery. In addition, the
benefits of harvesting seeds compound over time. Fewer Prosopis trees
mean more water in the soil, greater biodiversity and healthier rangelands.
Grazing animals return and indigenous plants re-establish.
The company producing this
beverage, MannaBrew, seeks to reverse damage to the environment by embracing a
regenerative business model that restores the land and uplifts communities in
the process of delivering its product. At the heart of the company’s impact
lies its people-centered approach. Environmental justice cannot be separated
from social justice—particularly in rural South Africa, where unemployment
remains persistently high and opportunities are scarce.
The company works closely with rural
communities, especially in towns like Calvinia in the Northern Cape, where
economic hardship is most acute. By training and employing local collectors to
harvest Prosopis pods, the company provides dignified seasonal
employment to hundreds of people. In 2024 alone, over 700 jobs were supported, many
of them held by women and youth, who are disproportionately affected by poverty
and unemployment.
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| A carpet of shed seed pods under a mesquite tree |
Collectors are equipped with
the tools, knowledge and logistics to collect pods sustainably, ensuring that
ecosystems are not further harmed in the process. The pods are then dried,
sorted and transported to the company’s processing facilities, where they are
roasted and milled into a product that is quickly gaining popularity both
locally and abroad.
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| Collecting seeds under mesquite trees |
Community partnerships and local knowledge
The success of this venture
also stems from its collaborative ethos. Rather than working in isolation, the
company partners with local NGOs, agricultural cooperatives and environmental
agencies to coordinate harvesting efforts, share knowledge and build lasting
trust within the communities it serves.
Traditional ecological
knowledge plays a critical role in the process. Local communities, who have
lived alongside Prosopis for generations, possess unique insights into
where and when the pods can be harvested most effectively. This blend of local
wisdom and modern ecological science creates a powerful synergy—one that
respects the land and the people equally.
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| Local community members bring their collected mesquite pods for delivery to the Manna Brew warehouse |
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| Harvested pods waiting for delivery |
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| The weighing and recording process |
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| Moving pods for processing |
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| Roasted pods ready for grinding into the finished product |
A vision for regenerative futures
Rather than relying solely on
government interventions or donor-funded programs, regenerative businesses demonstrate
that ecological restoration can be both economically viable and profitable. MannaBrew
is proving that regenerative businesses can not only compete in the marketplace
but can also contribute meaningfully to tackling pressing environmental issues.
By example this also encourages other entrepreneurs to look at invasive species
through a new lens, turning waste into worth. This vision aligns closely with
global calls for more sustainable, circular economies—where waste is minimised,
ecosystems are protected and local communities benefit directly from
environmental stewardship.
As climate change,
biodiversity loss and water scarcity intensify, the need for such models has
never been greater. MannaBrew stands as a hopeful case study, showing that with
creativity, commitment and collaboration, ecological crises can be turned into
catalysts for change.
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