A Family Business Rooted in Purpose
Carmién Tea began in 1998 in a small farm shop near Citrusdal, tucked into the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains. It was here that Mientjie Mouton saw something more than just a crop. She saw the chance to build a business that could do good from the ground up.
Today, Carmién is a fully integrated rooibos company, meaning we manage everything from planting and harvesting to blending and packing. That gives us full control from soil to sip. But it also means we carry a deep responsibility to do things well, and with care. It is still a family business at its heart, with Mientjie Mouton and Lize du Preez working together.
How Motherhood Shapes Leadership
Being a mother has a way of changing how you see the world. It teaches you to tune in, to look out for others, and to manage competing demands with calm persistence. “You become more aware of people who need looking after,” Mientjie says. “At the same time, you learn to be emotionally resilient. You have to find a way to get things done.”
At Carmién, that approach filters into everything we do. It is leadership that does not shout. It listens. It adapts. And it builds with long-term impact in mind.
Finding the Balance
Running a business and raising a family is never a neat process. The pressure to get it right in both places is real. “It is not necessarily about being a woman in business,” Mientjie explains, “but rather the added responsibility that comes with managing work and home life together.”
Lize puts it simply. “There will be times of chaos. You make peace with it and move forward.”
It is that honest perspective that shapes our workplace culture. We understand that balance is not something you achieve once. It is something you keep working at. And it is something worth supporting in others.
Supporting Women and Families on the Ground
Carmién’s commitment to women is not limited to the boardroom. On our farms and in our communities, we support the everyday structures that make work and family life possible.
Through our Mouton Foundation and Fairtrade partnerships, we help fund local crèches near work sites so that children have a safe and nurturing place to grow while their parents are working. We also support healthcare programmes, after-school care, and training opportunities that uplift women and families over time.
This is not about charity. It is about creating systems that work; Ones that let families thrive and allow women to lead in their own right.
A Quiet Kind of Gratitude
Mother’s Day at Carmién is not treated as a grand event. “It is more of a reminder,” Mientjie says. “A reminder to notice the small thank you’s, the everyday moments that go unseen.”
That same philosophy underpins how we operate as a business. We believe that small, consistent acts of care build trust over time. It is not about making noise. It is about showing up, again and again.
Looking Forward
As we look to the future, our vision remains steady. To continue making wellness simple and accessible. To keep offering products that support health in a natural, sustainable way. And to lead with values that reflect who we are a team rooted in community, driven by care, and always committed to growing goodness.
So this Mother’s Day, we lift our cups to all the women quietly holding everything together. Whether you are raising a family, running a business, or doing both we see you.