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FEATURE

ORIGO’S NEW CANNABIS FACILITY

BY JOHANN SLABBER, CEO, ORIGO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

Origo International Holdings is a licenced South African medical cannabis company.
It aims to explore the potential of the emerging cannabis industry and to become

a leading producer of the highest quality cannabis on the market.

outh Africa faces a massive challenge proposals. According to Parks Tau, Gauteng - open global commercial market access for
when it comes to its economy and the MEC for economic development, agriculture South African cannabis.
Ssustainability of various sectors in the and rural development, the objective of
supply chains contributing to its growth the programme is to unlock economic Origo also has an additional 1000 square
and development as a country. opportunities and job creation through metres for the training centre, where
cultivation and processing of hemp and practical and theoretical learning and
“With my experience, and also having being cannabis at industrial scale. teaching will take place.
involved with government for some time,
I am committed to focussing on cannabis Unfortunately, the government cannot South Africa’s role as a global player in the
and how it can be used to contribute to itself get involved, however it is partnering medicinal cannabis market should not
the development of our economy and with applicants in the private sector to be underestimated. Aside from having a
sustainability of all those in the supply chain. help drive this forward. Origo International comparatively lower cost of agricultural
It is time for us to put South African cannabis Holdings submitted its RFI (request for production due to advantageous
on the map and I am working with a few information) and will now develop the bio- environmental conditions and the cost of
German companies that are assisting us with hub for Gauteng and at a later stage, for labour, South Africa has a track record of
this. Together we are creating market access,” other provinces as well. Conformance with agricultural process innovation, medical
explains Slabber. the requirements of the local regulatory innovation and stringent quality control
authority in South Africa is only one step of requirements for medical cannabis
“There is a reason why over 70 licenses have the approach; in order to drive a successful licensing, making it an ideal destination
been granted by the South African Health cannabis bio-hub, one also needs to look at to cater for the global medical cannabis
Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) the right commercial standards to ensure market.
and less than five are exporting on a large that there are no limitations to market access.
scale to commercial markets. We are now As per the South African Cannabis/CBD
facing a challenge where the illegal supply New facility Industry Landscape Report 2022, Cannabis
of cannabis is being exceeded, based on Origo International Holdings has acquired a Africa and the latest research conducted,
previous statistics of licensed producers facility of 3000 square metres in Pretoria East. it is estimated that the South African
dumping their products on the black market It will be set up to accommodate licensed cannabis market will be worth R32 billion
because they cannot export them.” producers in Gauteng and other provinces. by 2024.
The company has already obtained a license
In May this year, the Gauteng provincial for cultivation on these premises and the Slabber says: “We need to look at market
government called for partnership proposals facility will be able to provide the following: access and focus on selling the goods
to get involved in different parts of the - training and education about cannabis to produced, and I am excited to drive the first
cannabis value chain. It has incorporated the public, both theoretical and practical; facility that will be able to accommodate
plans to grow its cannabis economy in its - processing and extraction of cannabis on a the products of more than 20 licensed
Growing Gauteng Together 2030 strategy. large scale; producers to commercial markets.”
- compliance with the highest pharmaceutical
The province is moving ahead with its plans standards in the world; Readers are welcome to contact him directly
to commercialise cannabis production and - importing; for more information, guidance and support.
invites interested parties to submit their - exporting; and Email johann@oiholdings.africa n

12 Landscape SA • Issue 116 2022