Rooibos Radiance: The Skincare Journey Rooted in the Heart of Wupperthal

By: Jay-dee Solomons

In the remote village of Wupperthal, cradled by the majestic Cederberg Mountains, a powerful story of resilience, innovation, and homegrown entrepreneurship is quietly flourishing. Rooibos Radiance, formerly known as Marice Skincare, has grown from a kitchen experiment into a proudly local agri-processing business that champions the power of indigenous plants—and the spirit of community.

At the heart of this inspiring journey is Marice Mercuur, a determined founder whose skincare venture was born not in a laboratory, but in her own kitchen.

Back in 2016, Marice was seeking a gentle, natural solution for her baby daughter’s eczema. Turning to the indigenous rooibos plant—long celebrated for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties—she began using rooibos-infused water made from simple tea bags and leaves. The results were remarkable. Encouraged by the improvement in her daughter’s skin, Marice started experimenting with handmade rooibos soaps.

“I didn’t have any experience in skincare or product formulation, but I knew I had to try”, Marice recalls.

While holding down a full-time job, Marice devoted her evenings and weekends to her budding business. The road was far from easy. With limited resources and no formal training, breaking into the competitive skincare market was a daunting challenge.

She says, “Starting out was the hardest part, but my family, friends, and our supportive local community kept me going.”

From those humble beginnings, Marice steadily built Rooibos Radiance into a brand offering a full range of handcrafted skincare products—facial treatments, body care, and more—all infused with the naturally nourishing power of rooibos. Today, the business is co-managed by a team of four, each overseeing different aspects of the growing enterprise.

As her business matured, so did Marice’s network and knowledge. Through industry connections, she discovered Casidra—a Provincial Business Enterprise supporting agricultural and agri-processing businesses across the Western Cape.

Casidra and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s involvement were the game changer. They helped install a reliable water system crucial for production, supplied raw materials, and assisted with packaging procurement—key upgrades that elevated both the quality and scalability of her products.

Although Rooibos Radiance remains a small enterprise, its impact is deeply felt. The business sources ingredients locally and creates much-needed employment in a region where job opportunities are limited.

Marice is passionate about sharing what she’s learned and encouraging others to start where they are. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear and heartfelt:

“If you haven’t started yet and you have an idea—just start. And if you’ve already started, stay persistent. Do a little bit every day. If you don’t know what to do next, reach out to your community. There are people and organisations—like Casidra and WCDOA are ready to help you grow.”

Marice Mercuur’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when purpose, community, and perseverance come together. Rooibos Radiance is more than just a skincare brand—it is a celebration of local ingenuity and the healing power of nature, nurtured in the rugged beauty of the Cederberg.