Meet Shaun Cairns, Driving Entrepreneurial Development and Growth in Agriculture.
As part of our SAHTA Director Series, we introduce Shaun Cairns, Director of the South African Honeybush Tea Association (SAHTA) and lead on the Development of Entrepreneurs.
Based in Somerset West in the Western Cape, Shaun is an entrepreneur and agricultural development practitioner with more than 15 years of experience across agricultural production, organic and regenerative farming, agribusiness development, farmer training, project management and value-chain development.
His work is driven by a strong belief in the potential of agriculture to create opportunities, strengthen businesses and build sustainable livelihoods.
A career rooted in agricultural development
Shaun’s experience spans a range of leadership and development roles. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Seed 2 Harvest, Founder and Chairperson of Seed Two Harvest Investments Namibia and Ocean 2 Harvest, Secretary-General of AFASA Western Cape, and a member of the AFASA National Executive Committee.
Through these positions, he has developed extensive experience in organisational leadership, governance, strategic planning, farmer engagement and stakeholder collaboration.
Working alongside small-scale, commercial and community-based farmers has also given Shaun first-hand insight into the challenges agricultural enterprises face. These include access to planting material, technical support, finance, infrastructure, certification, processing facilities and reliable markets.
His approach recognises that successful agricultural development requires more than production alone. It also depends on building capable entrepreneurs, strengthening value chains and creating meaningful market opportunities.
His connection to the Honeybush industry
Shaun’s involvement in the Honeybush industry is linked to the development of Cairns Emporium’s natural and wellness-focused tea range.
This work has involved the sourcing, selection, blending, packaging, positioning and marketing of Honeybush and other herbal tisane products.
It has provided him with valuable insight into the importance of responsible cultivation and harvesting, product quality, traceability, processing, value addition, branding and consumer education.
He also recognises the importance of protecting the authenticity, heritage and environmental sustainability of South African Honeybush – an industry with a unique connection to our country’s natural heritage.
Contributing to the future of Honeybush
As a SAHTA Director and lead on the Development of Entrepreneurs, Shaun believes his agricultural knowledge, strategic leadership, governance experience and farmer-development expertise can contribute meaningfully to the growth of the industry.
He is particularly interested in supporting the development of an inclusive and resilient Honeybush value chain – one that creates opportunities for growers, harvesters, processors, entrepreneurs and other industry stakeholders.
For Shaun, this means encouraging collaboration, strengthening agricultural enterprises and helping address the practical challenges that can limit participation and growth.
He is also committed to deepening his own understanding of the Honeybush commodity and its value chain, recognising that meaningful industry development requires continuous learning and engagement.
Looking ahead
Shaun approaches his role with a commitment to integrity, professionalism and accountability. His vision is to work collaboratively with growers, harvesters, processors, researchers, product developers and development partners to help build a Honeybush industry that is sustainable, inclusive, quality-driven and commercially viable.
His experience in agricultural development and entrepreneurship brings an important perspective to SAHTA’s work – particularly in creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and strengthening the people and businesses that form part of the Honeybush value chain.
We are pleased to have Shaun Cairns serving on the SAHTA Board and contributing to the continued development of South Africa’s Honeybush industry.