scholarly journals The cultural value of Adansonia digitata in Sagole community, Limpopo Province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 873-882
Author(s):  
M. G. Mathaba ◽  
Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana ◽  
Martin Potgieter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Traditional Culture ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Cultural Value ◽  
Adansonia Digitata ◽  
Cultural Information ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

Most communities in Africa are transitioning from traditional culture to a western-orientated lifestyle. Traditionally throughout Africa, the baobab (Adansonia digitata) is venerated for its size and longevity, and as such are indelibly embedded in the culture. However, the shift in cultural identity and lifestyle has disconnected numerous communities across Africa from this iconic tree. Thus an investigation was conducted in the Sagole community, Limpopo Province, South Africa to ascertain the level of knowledge of, and cultural value this community still attaches to the baobab. Results indicate that people aged 18-45 are not closely associated with tree species, and lacked significant cultural information. Only the older generation (older than 65 years) still had a strong cultural relationship. Elders from the community are the most knowledgeable with respect to cultural stories, and it is predominantly these elders that inform the younger generations regarding different culturally-bound stories related to the baobab tree. People of Sagole are not fully aware of taboos that relate to the baobab. This disconnect can be traced back to a society in transition from a traditional way of lifestyle to a western-orientated lifestyle, and the consequent uncoupling of generations. Ultimately this will lead to a significant loss of cultural information, cultural identity, the cohesiveness of communities, and environmental degradation in the Sagole community.

scholarly journals Plant species used for birdlime-making in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
Luambo Jeffrey Ramarumo ◽  
Alfred Maroyi ◽  
Milingoni Peter Tshisikhawe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Traditional Culture ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
The Common

Plants used for making birdlime and indigenous knowledge associated with the practice in Soutpansberg region, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa have been documented. Twelve birdlime-making plant species belonging to Apocynaceae, Celastraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Loranthaceae, Moraceae and Sapotaceae families were recorded. The common species included Maytenus peduncularis (Sond.) Loyes cited by 23.6% informants, Euphorbia pulvinata Marloth (17.2%) and Landolphia kirkii Dyer (12%). Plant parts used were latex (50%), fruit (34%), root (8) and the mixture of latex and fruit (8%). Documentation of plant species used for birdlime-making is of great interest, not only for preservation of the Vhavenḓa's traditional culture, but also for promoting economic subsistence, nutritional value and livelihood amongst poor and marginalized people.

scholarly journals Source, harvesting, conservation status, threats and management of indigenous plant used for respiratory infections and related symptoms in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 789-810
Author(s):  
SEBUA SILAS SEMENYA ◽  
ALFRED MAROYI
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Adansonia Digitata ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Sclerocarya Birrea ◽  
The Status ◽  
Indigenous Plant ◽  
In The Wild

Abstract. Semenya SS, Maroyi A. 2019. Source, harvesting, conservation status, threats and management of indigenous plant used for respiratory infections and related symptoms in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Biodiversitas 20: 789-810. This survey explored Bapedi traditional healer’s (THs) practices pertinent to native plants used to treat respiratory infections (RIs) and related symptoms (RSs). Semi-structured questionnaires and participatory observations were used to gather information from 240 THs in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. 186 plants from 75 families were harvested by these THs, mainly from the communal lands (81.2%), throughout the year. Plant parts used for RIs and RSs remedies was destructively harvested in wilderness compared to homegardens. Most (n=174) species from which these parts are obtained appears on the South African National Red Data List of plants, with 88.5% having a list concern status. This included Adansonia digitata, Boscia albitrunca, Catha edulis, Securidaca longepedunculata and Sclerocarya birrea which are also protected under the National Forest Act of 1998 (Act no. 84 of 1998). A further, 8.6% (n=15) of Red Data Listed plants are of conservation concern, with various status namely near threatened (38.3%), declining (20%), data deficient (13.3%), critically endangered and vulnerable (3.3%, for each), as well as endangered (6.6%). There were both consensus and disjunction amongst THs and Red Data List regarding the status of plants in the wild. This study provides valuable data for the conservation of medicinal plants in Limpopo Province.

Lived Experiences of Young People who Live with Mental Healthcare Users in Limpopo, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamakota Maggie Molepo ◽  
Faniswa Honest Mfidi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Young People ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Burden Sharing

Mental illness is more than just the diagnosis to an individual – it also has an impact on the social functioning of the family at large. When a parent or relative has a mental illness, all other family members are affected, even the children. The purpose of the study was to provide insight into the lived experiences of young people who live with mental healthcare users and the way in which their daily coping can be maximised. A qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological research was undertaken to explore and describe the lived experiences of young people who live with mental healthcare users in the Limpopo province, South Africa. Audiotaped, unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 young people who grew up and lived with a family member who is a mental healthcare user in their homes, until data saturation was reached. A content analysis was used to derive themes from the collected qualitative data. Four major themes emerged as features reflective of the young people’s daily living with mental healthcare user, namely psychological effects, added responsibilities, effects on school performances, and support systems. This study recommends that support networks for young people be established through multidisciplinary team involvement and collaboration and the provision of burden-sharing or a relief system during times of need. With the availability of healthy coping mechanisms and support systems, the daily living situations and coping of young people could be maximised, thereby improving their quality of life while living with their family members with mental illness.

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