M. Chinsamy

Traditional knowledge of medicinal and food plant uses for sustainable community livelihoods: a case of Batswana communities in South Africa

Abstract This paper uses the case of the Batswana people to demonstrate the use of indigenous knowledge (IK) on plant species for medicine and food. The study showed that traditionally the Batswana have a rich indigenous knowledge about the plant species diversity of their environment including community uses of the plant species. The sustainable utilization of these indigenous natural resources was governed by certain socio-cultural protocols, which included the veneration of ancestors. The study recommends further research including validation of the already documented IK of the biodiversity, identification of the actual location of the documented indigenous plant species in order to develop conservation mechanisms, promotion of this knowledge by incorporating it into the school curriculum so that it is not lost, and development of mechanisms to protect this knowledge and plant species from exploitation by outsiders.

Indigenous Knowledge-based Vegetable Garden Projects for Poverty Alleviation in South Africa

Abstract This paper is based on a case study, which investigated the challenges and prospects of sustainability of indigenous knowledge-based vegetable garden projects in the Lekgophung village in the North-West Province, South Africa. The garden projects were initiated by rural women to use their local knowledge of farming and indigenous plants to alleviate their poverty situation. The study found that the sustainability of the project has been hampered by lack of project managerial skills, limited participation of the community youth, lack of commitment of project members due to irregular remuneration, problems of financial accountability, rampant theft and lack of sustainable support from by government and other developmental agencies. Among the recommendations advanced include improved incentive strategies to attract youth participation and a holistic approach to human resource capacity building. This should also involve cooperation and coordination between projects to share experiences and scarce resources.

Community-based Environmental Resource Management Systems for Sustainable Livelihood and Climate Change Adaptation: A Review of Best Practices in Africa

Abstract The study used secondary sources to review best practices in community-based environmental resource management systems for sustainable livelihood and climate change adaptation in Africa. The best practices were drawn from different parts of the continent. They included water, community/school gardens for food security and renewable energy projects. They demonstrated the importance of putting all knowledge systems including indigenous knowledge on an equal footing to expand the global pool of knowledge. This holistic approach of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) is in line with the African philosophy of Ubuntu which emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between humans and other forms of life. The paper recommends the importance of interfacing knowledge systems to produce sustainable strategies and best practices for community-based environmental resource management systems.