Countries

Food

NWFP obtained from natural forested areas constitute important foodstuff. Especially in the less developed areas, edible plants are important dietary supplements for the rural communities, particularly during drought periods and in areas of marginal agricultural potential. One example is Sclerocarya birrea which is highly estimated by the rural population for its fruit; consequently it is seldom cut down.

Most foodstuff is consumed directly. Only the marketing of, and trade in, palmwine is reported to be more organized. Traditional wine is made by tapping of certain palm species for sap, e.g. date palm (Phoenix reclinata) and ilala palm (Hyphaene coriacea). Palm tapping of these two main palm species poses a threat on the natural resources, since 3 percent of tapped palms are dying (Maliehe, 1993).

Fodder

Many trees and shrubs are used as forage for domestic livestock and wildlife. Especially where pastures are degraded due to over-grazing and high population pressure, forage species are very important (Maliehe, 1993).

Medicines

There are 27 million consumers of indigenous medicines in South Africa (FAO, 1998b). About 80 percent of the population consult a traditional healer before going to a doctor (Maliehe, 1993) The ratio of traditional healers to total population is 1:700-1 200 in the Venda area as compared to a medical doctors to total population ratio of 1:17 400 in the ex-homeland areas. About 200 000 traditional practitioners work in South Africa (Maliehe,1993).

Traditional medicine is important to rural communities, as well as to the rapidly growing urban population, for medical and economic reasons. A local and national multi-million dollar trade is documented between rural sources and urban markets (Maliehe, 1993). At the national level, 20 000 t/a may be traded corresponding to a value of approximately US$ 60 million (FAO, 1998b). Out of a total of 1 000 species used for medicinal purposes in the area, more than 400 are traded on the urban markets in Kwa Zulu, Natal (Kuipers, 1997).

Data on exports of medicinal plants are rare. Trade data indicate exports from South Africa of Glycyrhiza sp., Origanum sp., Salvia sp., Euphorbia resinifera, Aloe ferox and Siphonochilus aethiopicus. Synaptolepis kirkii is exported to Lesotho (Lange, 1997; Cunningham, 1993).

The use of medicinal plants has been a constant cause of concern with respect to sustainability since the indigenous medicine is based almost entirely on indigenous plants harvested from wild plant stocks. Due to harvesting for medicinal purposes many species are on the verge of extinction. Endangered medicinal plant species are, among others:

· Siphonochilus aethiopicus - a slow growing plant with limited distribution, gathered for commercial purposes. Demand exceeds supply.

· Walburgia salutaris, probably the most expensive traditional medicine in South Africa.

· Ledobouria hypoxidoides (Eastern Cap region) and Mystacidium millaria, endemic species with very localized distribution, threatened due to harvesting and commercial sale as a traditional medicine (Cunningham, 1997).

· Ocotea bullata, of which 95 percent has been exploited for bark, with 40 percent ring barking and dying.

· Aloe ferox - its trade is under the control of CITES (Lange, 1997).

Exudates

Perfume and cosmetics

Dying and tanning

Utensils, handicrafts & construction materials

Fibres are an important component in the manufacture of household items, handicrafts and clothes. Useful species are the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata), Grewia bicolor, Moringa oleifera and Securidaca longepedunculata. The majority of fibre products is sold on regional and national markets (Maliehe, 1993).