Retang Phaahla on Setšong Tea Crafters & Winning The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award

Retang Phaahla, winner of the 2025 Bold Woman Award, is the founder of Setšong Tea Crafters, a proudly South African brand that has rapidly evolved from humble local beginnings into an international business success story. Following her award win, the company expanded into more than 150 retail stores across South Africa and secured partnerships with leading national retailers, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey.

The brand has also achieved international reach, completing its first export order to the United States via Amazon USA, with ongoing discussions for expansion into Japan and the United Kingdom. Setšong Tea Crafters is now projecting a 45% year-on-year revenue increase, underscoring its strong upward trajectory. In this interview, Retang reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on her journey, the realities of running a family business, and how her background as a quantity surveyor has shaped her strategic approach to building and scaling a successful enterprise.