# Sugarcane Energy Drinks Shesha is a Uniquely South African Drink Supporting Local Industry By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-10-27 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shesha References: [thezimbabwemail](https://thezimbabwemail.com/food/new-south-african-energy-drink-taking-on-monster-and-red-bull/)  Shesha is a first-of-its-kind drink made from the juice extracted from fresh, raw sugarcane, offering an [alternative to processed sugars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hive-mind-honeyade) that bolsters the local sugarcane industry. This distinctly South African [energy drink](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/duma-energy) and it's produced by Womoba, a subsidiary of the not-for-profit SA Canegrowers. “Every can of Shesha supports local jobs, sustains families, and strengthens rural economies in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga,” said Kiki Mzoneli, a sugarcane grower from KwaZulu-Natal and board member of SA Canegrowers. After sugarcane stalks are peeled and crushed to create the base of the drink, the energizing beverage, entirely produced and canned in KwaZulu-Natal, is enhanced with flavors like Lemon & Lime, Orange, and Ginger Beer. Alongside these flavors, the Original Shesha variety provides the ability to savor the essence of sugarcane at its purest. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 59% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 54% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Energy Drinks:** A shift towards sustainably-sourced ingredients in energy drinks aligns with consumer demand for environmentally friendly products. - **Local Economic Support:** Beverages like Shesha contribute significantly to the empowerment of local economies by providing direct support to regional agricultural industries. - **Natural Sweetener Utilization:** The use of natural sweeteners, such as raw sugarcane juice, showcases an innovative approach to health-conscious sugar alternatives in the beverage industry. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Beverage Industry:** The emergence of new ingredients like raw sugarcane juice introduces a unique competitive edge for beverage companies seeking to differentiate in the market. - **Agricultural Industry:** There is a growing focus on leveraging local agricultural resources to create added value products that enhance the sustainability of local economies. - **Sustainable Packaging:** Environmentally considerate packaging processes are becoming increasingly vital as consumers prioritize sustainable practices in their purchasing decisions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Carbonated Morning-Starting Energy Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/c4-energy-cereal-killer.md) - [Adrafinil-Infused Energy Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adrafl-labs.md) - [Expansive Seasonal Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-caribou-coffee-holiday-menu.md) - [Fruit-Forward Energy Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jumex-energy.md) - [Energy Drink-Inspired Cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crisp-apple-fritter-cookie.md) - [Energizing Boba Pearls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/volt-amber-energy-boba.md) - [Optimized Morning Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/morning-beverages.md) - [Combat-Themed QSR Burger Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-japan-street-burgers.md) - [Elevated Energy Drink Smoothies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jordyn-jones-x-gorgie.md)