Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The main aim or purpose of this study was to look at the ways and the strategies of minimizing\ mitigating the over-harvesting of indigenous medicinal plants in order to use them sustainably. The task of identifying and assessing challenges facing local communities in utilizing and sustaining indigenous medicinal plants in Thengwe village and their implications on environmental conservation and management of natural resources was done during the pilot survey. The environmental field survey was conducted after gaining permission to enter into the identified study areas including the Mutavhatsindi Nature Reserve. The result revealed that most of the indigenous medicinal plants are used for healing, religious, economical and for protection purposes. Most of the indigenous medicinal plants in the study area are depleted and many of them are facing extinction. The study was qualitative in design. Semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire were used. The questionnaire had both open-ended and closed questions. The study area was Thengwe Village in the Mutale Municipality. The existence of medicinal plants is threatened by people `s perceptions and attitudes towards them. For some indigenous medicinal plants, depletion is at a high rate due to over-harvesting and because the plants when traded by herbalists they have a premium price attached to them. Interestingly, perhaps surprisingly, the majority of young people hold negative attitudes towards the indigenous medicinal plants due to poor knowledge of the value of indigenous medicinal plants, in contrast to the elders who appreciate their role and consider them as part of their culture, economy and religion. One of the findings is that medicinal plants were found to be important to the community members as the source of income and creation of jobs for the medicinal collectors who sell the species to traditional healers. For the reason of preserving indigenous medicinal plants and others as the environmental resources, this study recommends that there should be strong intergovernmental relationships between the National, Provincial and Local governments in order to prevent over-harvesting of the medicinal plants. The indigenous medicinal plants are equally important to biodiversity students and researchers who want to study and research indigenous medicinal plants which play an important role in the improvement of the livelihoods of community members. Furthermore, education campaigns within the communities and school learners are recommended to encourage the prevention, sustainability and utilization of the indigenous medicinal plants. Additionally, the legal authorities should be empowered to prosecute all people who may be found illegally in possession of indigenous medicinal plants, as well as endangered and protected species. Heavy fines and charges should be imposed on such culprits. Of importance is the fact that the results and recommendations of this study may facilitate the teaching of environmental education and management of natural resources as well as boost the local economy of the Vhembe district Municipality by showing that medicinal plants in the area can be seen as a viable tourist attraction.

Abstract in English / The number of studies focused on the digital preservation of indigenous knowledge has been growing steadily over the years. Despite the growth in this area of research, there is still a lack of information technology tools that preserve and disseminate indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge has been highlighted as an area that can advance sustainable development, and its preservation is therefore of the utmost importance. Indigenous knowledge is mostly present within older generations, and if it is not preserved, this knowledge will die with its custodians. African communities rely heavily on indigenous medicine. A digital platform needs to be explored that can preserve practices relating to these medicines for future generations. Since indigenous knowledge is dynamic and is constantly evolving, there is a need to explore a digital tool that can highlight this dynamic nature. Current methods of preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants were found to be less than effective and marred by constraints such as space and time. The main objective of this study was therefore to develop a model that could be used to guide the design of a new e-learning system aimed at facilitating the preservation of indigenous knowledge of Namibia’s medicinal plants. In this study, e-learning technology was used to determine the requirements for presenting indigenous knowledge of Namibia’s medicinal plants in such a way as to ensure that individuals can internalise and preserve this knowledge. An interpretivist qualitative approach was followed. Data was collected by conducting a literature review and carrying out a survey. A prototype e-learning system was developed and evaluated based on the collected data. It was found that preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants through e-learning would require, among other things, engagement with the relevant knowledge custodians, leveraging multimedia, and offering content in indigenous languages. / School of Computing / M.Sc. (Computing)

Medicinal plants of Thulamela municipality are experiencing challenges due to human activities, resulting in some of the medicinal plants becoming difficult to find, declining, endangered or even extinct. Unsustainable harvesting is threatening the survival of certain medicinal plant species used as a source of primary healthcare in the area. This study investigates aspects related to traditional healers' perceptions with regard to collection, ethnobotanical importance and conservation status of indigenous medicinal plants used by traditional healers around Thulamela municipality. Information on medicinal plants was gathered by means of semi-structured interviews, field walks, personal observation and a literature review. A total of 90 medicinal plant species, which belong to 47 families, from a total of 82 genera commonly used by traditional healers to treat different ailments, were recorded. About 87% of traditional healers indicated that some medicinal plants are difficult to find; only 13% of healers did not experience difficulties in finding some medicinal plants. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Ornamental Horticulture)