Design the Rooibos in Space Mission Patch
Bring our space story to life and be part of South African space history!
Calling all 12–18-year-olds! Entries open 16 July and close 20 September
Every space
mission has its own unique mission
A small emblem that tells the story of
the mission in a single striking design.
Now it’s your turn to create one!
What’s happening on this mission?
Rooibos seeds are being sent into space to experience microgravity – a completely different environment from Earth.
When they return, selected schools will plant them alongside Rooibos grown under normal conditions and track their growth over time.
This forms part of global research exploring which plants could potentially be grown beyond our planet.
Your job is to turn that journey into a visual story.
What is a mission patch?
A mission patch is more than just a logo. It’s a symbol that communicates the key elements of a space mission.
Your design should show:
2019-01-01
What the mission is about
2020-01-01
What makes it special
2021-01-01
Tell the story behind it
It should be instantly recognisable, yet meaningful enough to capture the full story.
Tell the story behind your design
You must submit a short, written explanation (max 150 words),
along with your design. In this paragraph, you should explain:
Your design
What each part of your design represents.
The elements
Why you chose those elements.
The connection
How it connects to the Rooibos in Space mission.
The evaluation
Your design and your description will be judged together, so both matter equally.
What makes a great mission patch?
Your design should:
Design inspiration
Core theme: From Earth to Space: The Rooibos Journey
Consider including:
A space element (stars, planets, rocket etc)
A Rooibos element (the plant, seeds, leaves etc)
A South African element (the flag, landscape etc)
A Rooibos health benefit, shown creatively through symbols or images
Choose the elements that best bring the Rooibos journey to life!
Win space-themed prizes
In addition to the honour of having your design selected as the official Rooibos in Space mission patch and featured on campaign materials:
Win R20 000 for your school!
The winner and the 2nd- and 3rd-place runners-up will each receive exciting space-themed prizes.
These include exclusive memorabilia signed by NASA astronauts – items that few people ever get the chance to own.
Additional prizes to include astronomy and space-exploration gear, educational resources and other space-inspired surprises.
Fun Rooibos Facts
Rooibos grows naturally only in South Africa, mainly in the rugged Cederberg region. It grows in tough, dry conditions and survives where many plants can’t.
Its seeds have incredibly hard shells, helping them survive harsh environments, a bit like how South Africans are known for being tough and resilient.
It’s a survivor plant, built for extremes, which makes it perfect for a journey into space.
Rooibos is packed with antioxidants, which help protect it – kind of like its natural “superpower”.
Its leaves transform from green to rich red during processing, almost like its own transformation journey.
It can be enjoyed in many ways – hot, iced, with milk, lemon or even as a creative ingredient in food and drinks.
Rooibos is caffeine-free and helps promote calmness, better sleep and improved focus, while also supporting heart and brain health.
After centuries of being enjoyed on Earth, it’s now taking its biggest leap yet… into space.
Design rules
Your entry must:
Be an original design (hand-drawn or digital)
Include a written description (max 150 words)
Use 9 colours or fewer
Have no gradients
Be simple and clear enough to reproduce
Be uploaded as JPG, PNG or PDF (max 20MB)
Parent/guardian consent confirmed via checkbox (required for participants under 18)
AI-generated designs or copied artwork will not be accepted.
How entries are judged
Entries will be evaluated on:
Creativity and originality
Storytelling through design
Connection to the Rooibos in Space mission
Visual impact
Clarity and simplicity
Integration of the written explanation with the overall design concept
How to enter the competition
Your patch
Create your mission patch
Your story
Write your 150-word explanation
Entry form
Complete the online entry form
Upload
Upload your design and consent form