Who is African Origins Farming?
Our History & Story
Welcome to African Origins Farming – where tradition meets innovation. We specialize in the sustainable farming and production of Kalahari Melon Seed Oil, a natural treasure rich in essential nutrients.
Our commitment to sustainability ensures that every step, from cultivation to extraction, supports the environment and local communities. By choosing our Kalahari Melon Seed Oil, you’re embracing ethically sourced, high-quality cosmetic and wellness products while promoting responsible farming practices.
We are dedicated to organic, sustainable farming and production of Kalahari Melon Seed Oil in South Africa, offering both affordability and exceptional benefits. With an impressive 70% linoleic acid content and the highest levels of Vitamin E among seed and nut oils, our products embody the future of conscious cosmetics. Let your skin and hair bask in nature’s untamed radiance!
African Origins Farming (Pty) Ltd
The story and dream of Ockert Marais, Latham West and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil.
My dream was born out of drought, poverty, and shear desperation to survive on the farm Latham West in the Kalahari and wanting to serve the family and the community around him in Setlagole, Northwest in South Africa.
The dream started with this strange wild vegetable that was growing on the farmlands in severe drought. A bitter melon with white meat that contains a lot of dark brown seeds. This watermelon was used as a source of water and the uses included medicinal uses for skin, hair, and lip balm. The melon is indigenous to this area in Northwest which location is included in the Kalahari basin. This strange small watermelon contains a kernel with properties and characteristics that surprised everyone when a high-quality oil was first pressed from the seeds.
Production and sales started on a small scale in 2010. The market was locally in South Africa and international exports from United Kingdom to Hong Kong. Since 2021 the production facility was increased by installing larger production equipment.
Additional land was rented in 2021 from the community to ensure that reasonable planting and harvesting farmland was available for the Kalahari melon harvest.
Planting and Harvesting Kalahari melons
from
seeds to a pure oil ( Life Cycle )
In the beginning of the summer planting season the wild melon seeds are planted and allowed to grow through summer to late winter early spring when the melons are harvested. The seeds are sundried and stored for production and our seedbank for planting in the next season.
The oil is extracted via cold pressing of the seeds. Our Kalahari Melon Seed Oil is a pure oil containing 70% linoleic acid was produced consistently. (See our specification and the typical analysis of Organic or Conventional Kalahari Melon Seed Oil)
The Oil is produced on my farm in Latham West where I produce a pure cold press Kalahari Melon seed oil available for the cosmetic market.
Kalahari Melons
The use and dependence on plants as a natural source of medicine has been in existence since ancient time. Vegetable oils account for about 80% of the world’s natural oils and fat supply (Ling et al. 2009) with increasing importance in nutrition and commerce owing to their dietary energy, antioxidant, biofuels, and raw material potentials (Fasina and Colley 2008) and the attendant increasing global demand. The Kalahari Melon seed kernels are well-known in Africa for their therapeutic properties (Mabaleha et al. 2007). Minerals:
Minerals
Kalahari Melon seed contains: ±35% Mg, ±21 P, ±18% Zn, ±11% Fe, ±9%Cu, ±4% K, ±1% Na & Ca
Vitamins
Kalahari Melon seed contains: ±45% Thiamin, ±31% Riboflavin, ± 10% Pantothenic acid, ± 14% Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12
AFrican Origins References
(1.) B. Sultana · R. Ashraf (*), Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 741, M. F. Ramadan (ed.), Fruit Oils: Chemistry and Functionality
The Original Since 2013
Our Kalahari seeds are the original, sourced and cultivated since 2013, ensuring unmatched quality, purity, and authenticity for superior skin, hair, and overall wellness benefits.
Locally Made & Trusted
Our Product is locally produced, highlight the trust and quality control that comes with it. Customers appreciate homegrown, premium oils over mass-produced alternatives.
Unique Qualities & Benefits
Our Kalahari seed oil is a premium, all-natural oil packed with essential nutrients that deeply nourish, hydrate, and protect both skin and overall wellness, promoting a healthy, radiant glow.
