The Tea Merchant, by the often controversial author Jackie Phamotse, presents a departure from her previous works, such as the BARE series.

Set in 2002 in Bellville, Cape Town, The Tea Merchant introduces us to Luna Parks, a young nurse from the city who serendipitously befriends Amora Grootboom while waiting for an interview at a clinic. What begins as an ordinary interview soon escalates into a murder committed by Luna and Amora.

Fearing their secret might be uncovered, the two women flee to Clanwilliam, obtaining fraudulent transfer documents to secure positions at a clinic in the remote town. The details of their fraudulent scheme become clearer later in the book.

Phamotse said the idea for the book took root two years ago, during a trip to the Western Cape with a friend.

“About two years ago, I was travelling with a friend in the Western Cape and found myself weary of Cape Town. I suggested we drive out of the city to explore. My friend then recommended Cederberg, just outside Cape Town, which I, as a tea enthusiast, might enjoy. We ended up in Clanwilliam, a remote town nestled in the mountains, surrounded by picturesque farms.”

Phamotse was particularly captivated by the presence of the Khoisan people in the area.

“Encountering the Khoisan community in the town was an extraordinary experience, as I had never seen them up close before. It felt almost exotic, and from that moment, I knew I had to write about them.”

Phamotse had always intended to write a story about South Africa’s Rooibos tea but was uncertain how to begin.

Through Luna’s perspective, the novel portrays the essence of Clanwilliam. Luna’s life transforms when she meets the dashing Cameron Coal on a night when the town is ravaged by fires. As the community rallies to combat the blaze, Coal is drawn to Parks, admiring her dedication to helping others as a nurse.

Coal, who works in the Navy and is rarely home, has left his blind teenage daughter, Mia in the care of his alcoholic father, John. John is struggling with the grief of losing his wife, Emily, who, along with Coal’s wife, Summer, perished in a fire at their farm 10 years earlier.

The Tea Merchant blends historical fiction with cultural exploration. It is a tale of inheritance, landlessness, love and the origins of the cherished Rooibos tea. It transcends a mere love story, delving into themes of community life, loss, grief, racial dynamics, heritage and belonging.

Through the character of Cameron, who grapples with his roles as a brother and father, Phamotse aims to highlight the struggles men face in modern parenthood.

“It’s one thing to desire a partner who is caring, protective and a provider, but can they truly care for a child, especially one with special needs? I also wanted to shed light on how men deal with grief and its impact on their lives,” she said.

Readers will appreciate the depiction of daily life for those living with disabilities, particularly through Mia, the 13-year-old who is blind. Despite her condition, Mia plays a crucial role within her family on the farm. The book also vividly illustrates the challenges of farm life.

Despite the well-researched narrative, Phamotse’s novel reveals the complexities of racial issues but falls short in certain aspects. The book has the potential to hold both a historic and academic footprint but loses its grip somewhere along the way. There is a sense that the story might have benefited from the perspective of a writer more intimately connected to Cape Town and Clanwilliam.

Such a writer might have offered a deeper exploration of the historical and geographical themes. Nevertheless, Phamotse deserves commendation for venturing into new territory and presenting a storyline that stretches her as a writer. Fans will appreciate that she uses her familiar writing style and her sequel nature of storytelling is present as this is Part 1 of the story which will soon be followed by Part 2, expected to be released early next year.

The Tea Merchant is published by Penguin Books and is available at bookstores nationwide.

The Star

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The Tea Merchant – a story of love, history and race, with the potential to be much more