For Rahim Bikouta, every blend of his herbal tea tells a story of place. It connects two worlds: his birthplace in the Republic of Congo and his home in South Africa.
Deeply rooted in family memory and respect for his heritage, Bikouta built Loutaya as a tribute to his late mother, Loutaya. His handcrafted herbal teas bridge Central and Southern Africa, bringing traditional Congolese botanicals together with South African culture in every cup.
A bridge between two homes
Born in Brazzaville, Bikouta moved to South Africa when he was seven years old. Having grown up in Mzansi, he built a career in fashion, retail, and management, but his heart always pulled him back to the rich agricultural traditions of his birthplace.
After frequent trips back to the Republic of Congo, he would return with small pieces of his culture for his wife, Tennessee Fortuin, including a traditional citronella tea that quickly became a household favourite.
When the couple searched local supermarket shelves for anything similar, they hit a blank wall.
It was the turning point. Bikouta saw an opportunity to bring other African herbal teas to Mzansi while keeping his mother’s legacy alive. With his wife proposing they name the brand in her honour, the couple started their journey.
“We realised there was an opportunity to introduce something authentic that people had never experienced before. Loutaya became the perfect way to bring those two dreams together.”
Rahim Bikouta
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Sourced from the soil, finished by hand
At the heart of Loutaya’s offerings are indigenous herbs like Congo citronella and bulukutu, remedies enjoyed in Congolese homes for generations.
Bikouta sources his leaves directly from trusted Congolese farmers with generations of plant knowledge, while pairing them with local South African ingredients like honey. For him, the brand represents a true partnership between his country of birth and his adopted home.
That commitment extends to how the tea is processed. Moving away from high-speed industrial methods, Loutaya relies on traditional, artisanal care.
The leaves are naturally sun-dried to preserve their character before being hand-blended and individually packaged. It’s a slower approach, Bikouta notes, but one that yields a noticeably better cup.
“Every box is folded and assembled by hand. It’s a slower process than mass production, but we believe that level of care is reflected in the final product.”
Bikouta adds that the product is registered and undergoing food safety certification.
Flavour without compromise
While traditional herbal brews are often treated strictly as medicine, Bikouta set out to prove that natural remedies can be genuinely delicious.
They expanded their Rumble in the Jungle collection, introducing bold flavour infusions like spiced apple, dark cherry, and chilli and cinnamon.
In winter, a hot cup of rich, earthy Bulukutu Bliss pairs naturally with dark chocolate or traditional rusks. In the summer heat, Congo Citronella served over ice with fresh lemon, mint, and honey makes a refreshing, natural cooler.
With global consumers increasingly demanding clean products with authentic origins, Bikouta sees a massive opportunity for indigenous African botanicals.
He believes African agricultural brands shouldn’t just compete on the world stage; they should lead conversations on natural wellness and sustainability.
Looking forward, Bikouta plans to expand Loutaya into major retail chains across South Africa, export internationally, and open standalone signature stores.
His core advice for aspiring agripreneurs comes down to purpose and consistency: build something you truly believe in, stay adaptable, and never compromise on quality.
“Africa has an incredible wealth of indigenous plants and wellness traditions that deserve far greater recognition. I believe African brands have an opportunity to lead conversations globally.”
Loutaya’s tips for purpose-led growth
- Build something you genuinely believe in. Passion is what carries you through difficult days.
- If your product breaks new ground, teach people why it matters. Share your story and give them time to connect with it.
- From small-scale farmers to final consumers, long-term trust is the greatest asset your business can own.
- Business rarely follows a straight line. Be ready to learn, pivot, and keep moving forward.
- Trends fade, but consistency stays. When customers know they can trust your product, they will always return, because that trust is worth more than any marketing campaign.
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