New plant and location for Sastel Pharmaceuticals 

For 24 years, Sastel Pharmaceuticals has carved its niche in contract manufacturing with small batch processing to accommodate entrepreneurs looking to enter the exciting health and wellness market. The company will be moving into a new custom-designed manufacturing plant in April 2023, marking the next step in its journey to expansion. 

Sastel Pharmaceuticals was established in 1998 when Johann and Lienta Roelofse identified the need for short-line manufacturing in the herbal and health supplement market. A customised integrated management system was developed to prescribe the in-house process control, production management, process documentation and GMP to be followed for third party manufacturing. Sastel is registered with the National Department of Health as well as the South African Pharmacy Council. 

The manufacturer has been a member of the South African Quality Institute and the Health Products Association since 2001. 

Expanding into personal care

Due to the slow progress in regulations pertaining to complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and with the constant changing of goal posts for compliance by the South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA), Sastel Packaging was established. 

GMP, HACCP and food safety principles became the heartbeat of the company and lead to the business achieving FSSC22000 certification through SGS in 2018. Sastel Personal Care was added to address dedicated opportunities in the marketplace for cosmetics. In all areas, the safety and quality of finished products are a priority. 

New premises for the growing business

With the growth of the company, logistical and capacity challenges were identified. During the Covid-19 pandemic, premises zoned for industrial purposes became available in Wintersnest, Pretoria North – which Sastel purchased. 

Plans to design an ISO 8 HVAC, PIC/s facility have been drawn up by architects with input from GMP experts and a team of electrical, structural and civil engineers. These plans were submitted to the City Council of Tshwane and finally approved in June. On 1 July, the ground-breaking event took place where the turf was turned to mark the start of the construction of the new facility. According to plan, the facility will be operational in April 2023. 

Extensive experience and capabilities

Sastel Pharmaceuticals, incorporating Sastel Packaging, has been in business for more than 20 years. Due to its expertise in short-line manufacturing, the contract manufacturer gives small and new businesses an opportunity to enter the herbal and health supplement market successfully with smaller batch sizes. Many of the small businesses that started with Sastel have developed into well-known local brands. 

The company’s manufacturing capabilities include, but are not limited to, products in the form of capsules, powders, sachets, liquids and personal care items.

Several of these products manufactured at Sastel Pharmaceuticals are exported to neighbouring countries, Europe and the US. As a cost saver, the company also repacks imported products for local distribution. 

Reaching for new heights

Sastel Pharmaceuticals’ aim is to help current and new brand owners to make use of its highly qualified, experienced and supportive staff to extend their business with a manufacturing arm. 

Today, the family business includes Johann and Lienta’s children, Cara (cosmetic scientist), Nicoli (responsible pharmacist) and Cornell (goods receiving expert). Together with Lizette Visser (production manager and pharmaceutical manufacturing specialist), Dr Denise Oliver (quality assurance manager specialising in plant chemistry), Cobus Kritzinger (stores manager and logistics expert) and Ulandi O’Neill (administration and financial specialist), they form a strong, highly skilled management team. This team will lead Sastel Pharmaceuticals and 60+ employees and the new facility into the future and to new heights.