Legal updates and opinions
News / News
South Africa: Recognition and Protection of Karoo Lamb as a Geographical Indication

South African Geographical Indication’s (“GI”) include Rooibos (Western Cape), Honeybush (Eastern Cape and Western Cape), and several wine GIs including Stellenbosch, Constantia and Paarl, which are all recognised as GIs under various legislation. Karoo Lamb / Karoo Lam’ is the first South African product to be registered as a geographical indication under South Africa’s Agricultural Products Standards Act.
The Act controls and promotes specific product standards (e.g. meat, dairy products) notably from a quality point of view both locally and for export.
Geographical Indications (“GIs”) are signs on products which denote qualities and characteristics which are as a consequence of origin. The protection and enforcement of GIs promote the exclusivity of products from specific regions and boost local economies

Karoo Lamb has been granted GI status due to its distinctive qualities, supported by evidence as a result of extensive research. Its unique taste and texture are attributed to the Karoo lamb’s diet, which primarily consists of Fynbos in the semi-desert natural landscape of the Karoo.
Only lamb exclusive to the Karoo may now carry this GI with the Act making it an offence to use a mark, in connection with the sale of an agricultural product, that conveys or creates a false or misleading impression as to, amongst others, the quality or place of production of such product.
MEET THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TEAM

Janine Hollesen
Director, Head of Intellectual Property

Donvay Wegierski
Director

Bontle Monnya
Associate

Danielle Fiff
Associate
Latest News
There’s a new merger sheriff on the continent: Navigating the East African Community’s pending merger notification regime
by Pieter Steyn - Director and Raisah Mahomed - Associate On 1 July 2025 the East African Community Competition Authority [...]
Employers’ beware: not every positive test warrants a dismissal, even where a zero tolerance policy is in place
by Andre van Heerden, Director and Hannah Fowler, Candidate Attorney When it comes to workplace policies on alcohol and drugs, [...]
Are all parents created equal: The Constitutional Court confirms the invalidity of legislation relating to forms of parental leave
by Kerry Fredericks - Director, Thembelihle Tshabalala - Associate and Gracie Sargood - Candidate Attorney In the recent highly [...]
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification hanging by a thread
by Brendan Olivier, Director and Daniel Gewer, Candidate Attorney Bafana Bafana's prospects of taking to the field at next year's [...]
ESG, the key to sustaining the construction sector?
by Justin Duarte, Candidate Attorney, reviewed by Natalie Scott, Director and Head of Sustainability and Jennifer Smit, Director and Head [...]
SME cashflow threats: ensuring that your security offers a protection against payment default
by Brendan Olivier, Director It's becoming all-too-common: an SME that provides goods and services on credit to a major supplier [...]
